Product Description
Jazz Hodie (On this Day)
PERSONENT HODIE arr. Ken Litton (ASCAP)
Demo & Accompaniment track .mp3
Those who have the good fortunate to hear Gustav Holsts arrangement of PERSONENT HODIE as a choral processional with its engaging melody, measured gait and echoed text have never forgotten the magical momentand were never really ready for it to end. Hailing from the The Oxford Book of Carols this German plainsong melodyfrom the Piae Cantones, 1583has made its way into strong choral and worship traditions at Advent/Christmas.
Of all the current texts and arrangements available, this version honors Holsts unison accompanied setting in an unexpected subtle jazz styling, with the hope of bringing additional range to its established place in advent literature (both in terms of style and in appeal to a variety of age groups).
And, On This Day Earth Shall Ring, translated by Jane M. Joseph (text in the public domain) gives it just the traditional touch needed for Jazz Hodie (On this Day).
This SATB setting of the tune offers accompaniment designed for piano or organ, optional acoustic/string bass and an optional part for a single player involving three of the percussionist section best friends in the : the suspended cymbal, mallets (vibraphone, marimba or bells or bell lyre), and a small triangle. It should be noted that an electronic piano/synthesizer voice could substitute well for the mallets and the use of handbells is also viable. Perfect for Lessons & Carols presentations!
The unison singing and bell-tone echoes of the first stanza/refrain soon give way to smooth, contrasting jazz harmony. The choral ranges are very much within the reach of the average choir and the voicings vary from unison to three and four parts, followed by a return to the character of the opening. The piece builds toward a close with a choral ascent in the final bars and a bass line reminiscent of the first verse, but with an extra jazz twist. But, it can easily be restarted for processional use by simply dropping back into the C minor introductions bass line.
The String Bass/Electric Bass part is included in both the pdf score download and on the Demo & Accompaniment mp3 download.
Also available in a hymn sheet version that includes everything needed for UNISON Choir and the worshiping congregation.
All this from the places you go for the best in downloadable resources:
Sheet Music Direct
Sheet Music Plus
As well as via Hal Leonard InStore retailers.
Alsobe 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.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.