Festive Gloria

I love this short Gloria text excerpt from the Roman Mass. Singing in wonder and awe of the cosmos and offering a prayer for peace make it a great choice for concerts and liturgical use year round. With its origin in the biblical nativity story, the text is also perfect for the holidays.

The chorus and piano are spirited partners in a rhythmically charged dance of melodic and harmonic tag. The text is set in a homophonic texture much of the time, with some sections of paired counterpoint. The piano functions as an additional voice, sometimes in dialogue with the voices, other times as a counterpoint or underpinning of the vocal line, but always an engaging part for the pianist.

Voicing: SATB

Duration: 3'35"

Level: Medium (M)

Instrumentation: Piano

For the singers, Festive Gloria is a technically accessible piece for high school choirs that also provides satisfying opportunities for expressive singing for collegiate and adult choirs, and a fun showcase for the collaborative pianist.

Dr. Gary Packwood
Conductor of premiere