Choral (SSAA Choir)

SKU: HL.114523

Composed by Johnny Marks. Arranged by Nancy Grundahl. Henry Leck Creating Artistry. Christmas, Concert. Octavo. 16 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.114523).

UPC: 884088874803. 6.75x10.5 inches.

Cascading bells played by choir members and the recurring phrase “Et in terra pax” between the verses of the familiar melody create a joyful seasonal showcase for treble voices. The final triumphant verse features a majestic descant and transitions into a sonorous conclusion on the final phrase, “good will to all.&rdquo.

Female choir (SSAA) a cappella - intermediate

SKU: HL.49043921

Composed by Johannes Eccard. This edition: Folding. Sheet music. Choral. Octavo. 4 pages. Schott Music #C56106. Published by Schott Music (HL.49043921).

ISBN 9790001197427. German.

The a cappella choral setting Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich for four-part women's choir written by the 1553-born composer Johannes Eccard from Muhlhausen in Thuringia is, indeed, a real pleasure. The German-language text is borrowed from an old Latin Christmas carol, singing of the miracle of Nativity in two verses. Eccard manages, in an engaging manner, to musically express the joyous atmosphere of this poem. All four female voices (SSAA) join imitatively in the angelic chant of joy one after the other, while central words like 'freudenreich' [joyful], 'Himmelreich' [kingdom of heaven], 'Jungfrau' [virgin] or 'Mutter' [mother] are particularly embellished. This is exhilarating and easy-to-perform utility music for Christmas church services.

(SSAA Divisi a cappella)

SKU: HL.1295435

Arranged by Ruth Dwyer. Shawnee Press. Octavo. 12 pages. Duration 150 seconds. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.1295435).

ISBN 9798350106442. UPC: 196288170198. 6.75x10.5 inches.

The joyful traditional French carol, translated long ago into English as “Sing We Now of Christmas,” is set a cappella with simple optional percussion. The limited French along with the English text makes it a quick learn, and the percussive “rum pum-pum” is shared by all the voices, building to a buoyant “Noel” at the finale. An excellent and mature work for the holidays.