During our recent trip through southern Utah, we visited Arches National Park. The incredible red rock formations and natural arches were such evidences of God's majesty and power.
Yes, it is still summer, but school in our area is starting up in two weeks. You know what that means...
Families will be back from their vacations and Ward choirs will soon start working on their offerings for the next few months including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Personally, I love the time of Thanksgiving in the Fall. Maybe I am partial to it because I was born on Thanksgiving, but there is nothing more powerful than a great song of praise and thanksgiving.
Hymns of praise are wonderful any time of year, but more especially for Thanksgiving. One of my favorites has been "How Wondrous and Great" SATB. This arrangement was written for my choir alto section who always loved having a section solo. The sopranos also get an obligato. The men seem to like variations in dynamics to show off their power. This arrangement has all of this and more. The pianist gets to go on all kinds of adventures as well. (Have fun!)
The hymn text was written by Henry U. Onderdonk (1789–1858) with music attributed to Joseph Martin Kraus (1756–1792). The music had also once been attributed to Johann Michael Hadyn (younger brother of the more famous Franz Joseph Hadyn who was a major influencer in the Classical Period). In any case, these composers were of the late Classical Period (circa 1800) moving into the Romantic Period (1830-1900). Composers of this transition time were breaking from strict structures and promoting more movement and emotion.
Your choirs will love singing this powerful message of praise and thanksgiving!
Families will be back from their vacations and Ward choirs will soon start working on their offerings for the next few months including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Personally, I love the time of Thanksgiving in the Fall. Maybe I am partial to it because I was born on Thanksgiving, but there is nothing more powerful than a great song of praise and thanksgiving.
Hymns of praise are wonderful any time of year, but more especially for Thanksgiving. One of my favorites has been "How Wondrous and Great" SATB. This arrangement was written for my choir alto section who always loved having a section solo. The sopranos also get an obligato. The men seem to like variations in dynamics to show off their power. This arrangement has all of this and more. The pianist gets to go on all kinds of adventures as well. (Have fun!)
The hymn text was written by Henry U. Onderdonk (1789–1858) with music attributed to Joseph Martin Kraus (1756–1792). The music had also once been attributed to Johann Michael Hadyn (younger brother of the more famous Franz Joseph Hadyn who was a major influencer in the Classical Period). In any case, these composers were of the late Classical Period (circa 1800) moving into the Romantic Period (1830-1900). Composers of this transition time were breaking from strict structures and promoting more movement and emotion.
Your choirs will love singing this powerful message of praise and thanksgiving!
RSS Feed