SKU: A0.1098129

“Humbly I Adore Thee� is a eucharistic, or communion, hymn with text by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274).

The origin of the melody, “Adoro te Devote,� is unclear. In some places it is simply described as a Gregorian chant; in others as a 13th-century Benedictine plainsong; in others as a French church melody published in the Paris Processionale (hymnal or liturgical manual) of 1697. Regardless, it is a lovely, flowing tune well-suited for the legato “singing� capabilities of the trombone, euphonium, or cello.

In this arrangement, the soloist plays the tune through on the first verse in D major, adds a descant over the melody played by keyboard in the second verse and, following a short modulation, recapitulates the tune in the concluding key of G major.

SKU: A0.726102

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel� are the opening words of John Mason Neale’s (1818-1866) translation of the Medieval text, “Veni, Emmanuel,� with music arranged by Thomas Helmore (1811-1890), for The Hymnal Noted (London, 1856). The text of this most famous of Advent hymns is taken from various “‘O’ Antiphons,� verses sung or recited before and after the Magnificat during the evening Vespers service in the last week of Advent. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, and together they echo the foretelling of the long-expected Messiah by the prophet Isaiah.

The origin of the music is uncertain. Some claim it to be from a 15th-century French processionale (hymnal, liturgical manual) for Franciscan nuns; others believe it to be of earlier, eighth-century Gregorian plainsong origins.

This arrangement features both traditional and contemporary harmonies and a meditative original introduction prior to the opening presentation of the melody by trombone, which is echoed in countermelodies in later presentations.

Includes both bass clef and Bb treble clef solo parts.

SKU: A0.1089531

BEACH SPRING is a hymn tune attributed to Benjamin Franklin White (1800-1879), co-editor of The Sacred Harp shape-note hymnal, where the tune was published in 1844. Paired there with a text beginning Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, it has served as accompaniment for various other hymn texts since.

Although attributed to White, the pentatonic tune (comprising five notes — degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the major scale) is likely of folk origin. In this arrangement, the tune is presented three times: first by trombone with piano accompaniment; next by flute and piano; and after a modulation up one step, by trombone and piano in a new harmonization with descending chromatic bass line.

An ideal choice for offertory or communion solo, BEACH SPRING may be performed by trombone and piano alone, as the flute melody in the second verse is present in the piano as well.

SKU: A0.726114

The beloved “O Holy Night� began as a poem in French on the nativity of Jesus.

Placide Cappeau (1808–1877), the author of the original lyrics, was asked in 1843 to write a Christmas poem to celebrate the recent renovation of the church organ in his home town. He obliged with “Minuit, chrétiens,� which begins with the words “Midnight, Christians, this is the solemn hour of God descending to us as man.�

The music to Cappeau's poem was written by the French composer, organist, and music critic Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) and published in 1847 under the title “Cantique de Noël.�

In 1855, John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893), recognized as America's first influential music journalist and critic, translated and paraphrased Cappeau's text into the well-known “O Holy Night.�

This arrangement features the natural singing style of two trombones in a duet with piano accompaniment. Includes both bass clef and Bb treble clef trombone parts; may be effectively performed by euphoniums or cellos as well.

SKU: A0.726086

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is a eucharistic hymn translated from the fifth-century Liturgy of St. James and set to a 17th-century French carol.

In this particular liturgy (attributed to St. James the Less, first bishop of Jerusalem), a hymn of preparation and adoration is sung by the celebrating priest as the communion bread and wine is brought to the altar of the Lord. The Anglican priest and hymnodist Gerard Moultrie (1829-1885) translated and paraphrased the hymn, whose opening words are based on the words of the prophets Habakkuk (But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. 2:20) and Zechariah (Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. 2:13).