Matthew.22

The Mark Hayes vocal series features well-crafted signature arrangements that have become an indispensable resource for singers throughout the years. This newest addition to the series further explores the

"Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul." The hymn for the first Sunday of Advent, Psalm 24 (25) soars in this setting for double choir. Sustained vocal lines, chain suspensions, and antiphonal writing

A familiar text from Lessons and Carols services in a brand new setting. Unexpected tonality shifts and waves of building tempos lead to a final climax of "Deo gracias!" A quintessential Advent addition to

A chant-like sensibility pervades this challenging meditation on the nuances of waiting for the Holy Child's coming. Unison lines interwoven with divisi parts require vocal control and discipline, but the

Perfect for the Advent season and beautifully enhanced by handbells, this anthem incorporates the well-known carols Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and Angels from the Realms of Glory

Andre Thomas is a master at the spiritual form, and his skill is clearly evident in this gem! Easy to sing tonally, but with divisi voices, the layers of sound and the constant rhythmic patterns add

From Voctave's album The Spirit of the Season, this Christmas favorite shimmers with contemporary a cappella harmonies. Lush and beautiful divisi textures that work for more advanced choirs or a cappella

This beautiful arrangement of the traditional German carol, scored for SATB choir and optional French horn, is rich and warm in its harmonies and gentle rhythms. The strength of the dynamics may be further

This beautifully written anthem for Christmas is based on Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ from a chorale written by Martin Luther and first published in 1524. Truly

This spirited 21st-century madrigal set to a medieval Christmas text throws singer and listener alike into a joyous dance in Dorian mode that culminates in a cascade of alleluias when the mode shifts to

"And suddenly appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God..." The text of this gospel original is inspired by the famous passage from the Gospel of Luke in which the angels appear,

Intrigues by the parallel images of a mother embracing her child at birth and again at death, the composer asked his mother, Laurie F. Gauger, to write a Christmas text that was equal parts lullaby and

This collection stands as a full Christmas cantata in a truly American style. Songs and carols come primarily from the Appalachian shape-note tradition but also include some Moravian and Celtic songs. Each

Based on Angels We Have Heard on High, this new arrangement opens with shepherds, represented in the music by tenor and baritone soli, hearing angel voices "o'er the mountains, guided by a Holy

From the effervescent joy of the angels' announcement, to the wonder of the scene in Bethlehem, to the shepherds' return to their flocks, this buoyant setting renders each carol verse in colorful music to

This thrilling carol arrangement begins with a hush and builds in momentum, invoking images of the angel hosts gathering into a multitude to announce Jesus' birth. With just a few

Created for the choir of the American Church in Paris. The ancient Latin text is sung as a refrain by the choir: "Ave Maria, dulcissima Maria, vera spes et vita!" The soprano soloist intersperses an

Straightforward rhythms, dissonances, and close harmonies depict the clear and radiant divine essence of this a cappella meditation on the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary. A poetic translation is included,

A tender setting with a gentle instrumental motif that unifies the steady growth between stanzas. Alternate lyrics for stanzas 2 and 3 provide an opportunity for an even richer worship moment. Parts for