Choral Choir,Choral,SATB Chorus - Level 3 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1499790
Composed by Noel. Arranged by Ken Litton. 19th Century,Advent,Christian,Christmas,Holiday. 8 pages. Artist of Note, Inc. #1075857. Published by Artist of Note, Inc. (A0.1499790).
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
NOEL CMD Trad. English Melody
arranged by Ken Litton (ASCAP)
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The text is the familiar hymn of Edmund Hamilton Sears (1810-1876), an American clergyman ministering for many years in Massachusetts. After a retirement due to health concerns, his second Christmas hymn dating from about 1849 was published in The Christian Register. Of it a fellow minister by the name of Morrison wrote, I always feel that, however poor my Christmas sermon may be, the reading and singing of It Came Upon the Midnight Clear are enough to make up for all deficiencies.”
Here the tune is NOEL (CMD). The arrangement begins in Eb moving up to F, followed by an expressive (optionally a cappella) section in Dm. After a brief return to F for the final stanza (with a descant limited to top space F) there is a subtle surprise by joy to Em and on to a singable ending in G, with options for second soprano.
The voicing range from unison to 2-part and on to 3 and 4 parts, but in a singable, approachable range for choirs of medium ability and only a hint of easily sung divisi.
The accompaniment is active but playable and the score suggests a harpsichord voice as the keyboard option. The style of the piece——as well as the mp3 instrumentation—allude to abasso continuo optional part for cello, bassoon, or other C bass instrument, a separate medium difficulty part included.
And mp3 demo/slass accompaniment track is available separately.
Be sure to check out other titles from East of the Altar/Artist of Note, Inc.
Thanks, as always to the good folks at ArrangeMe.com, a division of Hal Leonard.
