Here’s the thing. I know some people reading this are going to be staunchly “no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving” sorts of people. But I’m going to be festive anyway.
I’ve got 4 new choral works that are new for Fall/Christmas 2023, and from now until the end of the month, they are all going for 25% off! And while this deal is very exciting, it will be ending on July 31st (a Christmas in August would just be ridiculous).
All of these works are seeking their world premieres - which could be a really cool experience for your ensemble.
I’ve got a setting of the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis for SATB a cappella. I wrote these settings in 2018-2019, after a visit to some of the most beautiful cathedrals in England where I listened to a number of Evensong services - in which, these two canticles are featured. But, they are known as the Nativity Canticles because of their proximity to the birth of Christ, making them perfect for your Christmas concerts. The Magnificat is the song Mary sings after being visited by an angel, and the Nunc Dimittis is the song Simeon sings after seeing Jesus in the temple.
You can read more about the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis here. The two canticles are sold together in one score, and are meant to be performed back-to-back, as they share a common Gloria Patri.
I’ve also got a setting of an 18th Century hymn by English hymnwriter Christopher Smart (1722-1771). His text is titled “Where Is This Stupendous Stranger?”. I absolutely love this text. However, while I do appreciate the alliteration, I ended up changing the title to “Where is this Most Holy Stranger”. Honestly, I can’t say the word stupendous with a straight face. This piece is about the paradox of Christ’s eternal divine nature, and His humble incarnation as a human - a common sentiment in religious circles, but this text expresses so very well that I wanted to do a setting of it.
This piece is available for both SATB, and TTBB ensembles. Read more here.
