Choral Choir (Mixed) - Level 2 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.844486
Composed by Phil Beaman. Christian,Holiday,Sacred,World. Octavo. 43 pages. Phil Beaman #3428683. Published by Phil Beaman (A0.844486).
Jubilee of Thanks was commissioned for the Grenada National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Although heavily based on traditional coronation music it is generic enough to be suitable for any service of Thanksgiving or Celebration.
Here is the description found inside the cover of the conductor's score:
In order to gain inspiration and insight into this commission I researched British Coronations past and present. One of the oldest traditions is the use of Handel's oratorio Zadok the Priest. This 144-page composition was written for the coronation of King George II in 1727 and has been used at every coronation since. Thus I began my composition with a Handelian style section, borrowing a phrase from Zadok the Priest and developing it into a fanfare opening. Into this section I interjected the traditional cry of Long live the Queen, but set it in the old church Latin.
The middle section arranges the hymn Now Thank We All Our God, originally written in 1663. This hymn is regarded all across Europe as the official anthem for services of National Thanksgiving. I created different settings for all three verses. Another tradition of British coronations is the use of Psalms 100 and 120. I have taken just one line from each Psalm and woven it into the hymn as a descant or antiphon.
The final section is a Hallelujah Chorus fusing tradition with local flavour by using soca rhythms. In a sly nod to the opening section the very last choral Alleluia is straight from Handel's Messiah.
Phil Beaman
March 2012
The choir is in 2 part but much of it unison since it was intended for a massed choir with little rehearsal. Interest comes from the changing styles of each section, 7 key changes, 3 meter changes, and the 2 Trumpets accompanying. A 4 minute easy piece of thanks and celebration.
This entry contains 30 pages of Conductors Score, 7 pages Keyboard Part, and 2 pages @ Trumpet Parts. For convenience a separate entry at SO.309227 contains the 10 pages of Choral Parts in a Lead Sheet format with just lyrics and melody of the Choir Parts.
