Commissioned by the Greater Tiverton Chorus under the direction of Beth Armstrong in celebration of the ensemble’s 40th anniversary. It was commissioned in 2020, but the pandemic delayed the premiere. The chorus premiered it in December 2021.
Instrumentation: SATB Chorus, Bb Trumpet, Piano
Duration: 5’30”
Program Notes: The birth of Jesus Christ is a seeming contradiction in terms. God became man. The King of Heaven was born into poverty and laid in a manger. Ignored in the city, his birth was heralded by angels in the countryside. When asked to write a Christmas piece for the Greater Tiverton Community Chorus, I was drawn to Thomas C. Roney’s poem, “O Holy Night” because it captures this dichotomy, both the intimacy of a private birth and the announcement by angels of a worldwide promise that, through this baby, peace and goodwill are given to all humankind. I aimed to capture the paradox of the meaning in Christ’s birth in this piece: it is new yet quotes old familiar carols; it is a lullaby, yet an anthem; it is tender, yet exultant. All glory be to God on high, and peace, goodwill to men.
This video includes a professional recording by the Kuhn choir. If you would like to hear a recording of the GTCC singing it, please contact me.
The following is a sample of the score. (The entire score is available after providing an email address; see below.)
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