Gloria in D
Gloria in D was premièred in December 2014 by the Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee in their ‘Christmas in the Basilica’ concerts. It is written for a large chorus, soprano soloist, brass ensemble, consisting of three trumpets and three trombones, timpani and organ.
Richard Hynson, who conducted the première in Milwaukee, writes:
“As music Director of the Bel Canto Chorus in Milwaukee, I am charged with programming new, exciting, audience-accessible repertoire for our annual Christmas in the Basilica concerts. Surprisingly, it is difficult to find new works that both challenge and engage the chorus while moving the audience. Gordon Thornett’s ‘Gloria’ is one of those works.
Scored for Soprano Soloist, Mixed Chorus, Brass (3 tpts, 3 tbns), Timpani, and Organ, this single-movement, ten-minute setting of the Gloria from the Ordinary of the Mass demonstrates the composer’s use of exciting, multi-metric rhythms, well-structured melodies, and emotional contrast.
While the choral writing offers some challenges, especially in the fughetta section, a good college or community chorus can learn this medium-difficult work successfully in a few rehearsals. The Soprano Solo requires a skilled, advanced singer, and the accompanying instrumental parts will satisfy accomplished players.
I strongly recommend this as a work that can successfully anchor a Christmas program.”
A version of this piece also exists for brass quintet instead of the sextet. If you would like that version, please contact [email protected].
Purchase Options
Full Performance materials – Download License ($75)
Includes the full score, complete instrumental parts and vocal score with license to print as many copies as needed for your chorus
Piano/Organ-only Performance materials – Download License ($55)
Includes the organ part and piano/vocal score with license to print as many copies as needed for your chorus.
Materials in Print
- Full Score and Parts ($40)
- Vocal Score (with piano/organ accompaniment) only ($8/copy)
| Voicing: | SATB |
| Descriptive Tags: | Cantata, Fun, Inspiration, Liturgical text, Praise, Prayer, PROJECT : ENCORE, Worship |
| Difficulty: | Advanced Student, Advanced |
| Instrumentation: | Brass, Organ, Timpani |
| Language: | English, Latin |
| Sacred or Secular: | Sacred |
| Season or Event: | Advent, Christmas, Easter, General, Winter |
| Duration: | 10-15 Minutes |
$8.00 – $75.00Price range: $8.00 through $75.00
Explore More Music…
Title | View | Voicing | Duration | Language | Composer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SATB | 2' 50" | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This modern English version of a 9th Century Old Irish benediction lends itself well to both concert and liturgical performance. Liturgically, it fits well as a call to worship or as a communion meditation. The text recalls the doxology given in Revelation 7:12. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 3'30" | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The words of Job are paired with the style of the American work song or chain gang song for this a cappella SATB setting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 2' 10" | Latin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This communion motet, setting the famous 14th century words attributed to Innocent VI, took the prize in the Composition Competition of The Wessex Festival in August 2016. It has since been sung in venues including Ripon Cathedral, UK. Set largely homophonically for SATB choir without divisions, its well-structured melody is complemented by the texture created […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB ⋅ Unison | 4'50" | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This light-hearted holiday song was commissioned by a local community chorus, one of whose members wrote the words. I was asked to include a part for children’s choir, and I understand everyone enjoyed taking part. It has a simple message – to chase away the gloom, and spread light and happiness to all at Christmas […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 3'15" | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This anthem is a setting of an early 20th Century hymn text. It utilizes metaphors in nature to describe a life of good character and is suitable for worship. It is free of gender specific language, and therefore speaks to all people of good will. The music is somewhat reminiscent of early 20th Century church […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 3'35" | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The text of “In Those Years, No One Slept” is a scene from a time of conflict/war, by Romanian-American immigrant Claudia Serea. The score is at once rhythmic and exciting, haunting and unsettling. It was a winner of the 2018 Uncommon Music Festival Composition Competition. It is accessible for all fine high school, collegiate and […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SSA | 2' | Hebrew | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Psalm 117 (Hallelu et Adonai) is a compact, ecstatic setting of the shortest psalm—a direct call for all peoples to praise—building to an exuberant “Halleluya!” Beyond its liturgical roots, it also works as a vivid, high-energy concert opener or closer, celebrating joy, invitation, and collective voice. At a glance SSA • piano • c. 2′ […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 4' | Hebrew | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sim Shalom is a solemn Hebrew prayer in D minor accompanied by piano or organ. It is ideal for a worship setting and has often been used for that purpose, though the lyrical choral refrain and soprano/tenor solos can work well for any choir that would prefer to focus on just a few phrases of […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SAB | 3' | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | Each round 1′30″ to 2′ (in performance) | English ⋅ Latin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most rounds in popular collections are either sober or light-hearted. Where are the truly chucklesome examples? They do exist, of course: one thinks of classics such as “Thy Jolly Red Nose” or “The Old Man from Calcutta”; even, perhaps, of the bawdy catches of Henry Purcell and John Blow. But they are rarely found between […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||