Randall Donald (1971- ) is a chorister, choral composer, system administrator and farmer. He received his B.Sc. degree from Simon Fraser University. His music has been performed in Canada, United States, and Australia. Whether singing or creating, interest in sacred choral music has been a strong thread through most of his life. Currently most of his compositions focus on music of worship.
Originally from North Vancouver, he now lives in Parksville on Vancouver Island, Canada with his coloratura soprano wife and daughter.
This is a small colection of original descants with complete or partial hymns. The descants are for Come, Thou long expected Jesus; O Come All Ye Faithful (descant and verse 5); Joy to the World; and See amid the Winter’s Snow (refrain with descant). ISMN 979-0-9025253-2-9
I Lift Up Mine Eyes (Psalm 121) is part of the section (Psalms 120-134) of psalms called the ‘Songs of Ascents’, meaning “to sing while going up.” It is a song of thanksgiving sung by the psalm singer, possibly on the way to Jerusalem with the hills of Jerusalem in view. The psalm contains two […]
I Sing of a Maiden (I syng of a mayden) is a Middle English poem or carol of the 15th century celebrating the Annunciation and the Virgin Birth of Jesus. The poem is written from a first person point of view, and contains five quatrains. No evidence of original music is known to exist, though […]
Kyries for Worship Services is a 4 piece set of Kyie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison responses written for SATB voices. The first is in a minor key. The rest are in various church modes. This format is typically used in Protestant services after a Prayer of Confession. ISMN 979-0-9025253-0-5
(Choral SATB with S,A divisi) Written for a choral composition competition in 2024 (I didn’t win), this piece uses the text of Psalm 13 to demonstrate David’s dispair and doubt turning into faith and joy. Text in English is from the 1928 US Books of Common Prayer vv. 1-3, 5-6. ISMN 979-0-9025253-5-0 ISWC T3250054634 If […]
Personent Hodie is a Christmas carol originally published in the 1582 Finnish song book Piae Cantiones. A melody found in a 1360 German manuscript is highly similar, and it is from this manuscript that the music is usually dated. The carol became more prominent in England after being arranged for unison voices and orchestra in […]
Voiced for SSAB with optional organ. A combination of Latin, English, and Greek text. The Improperia, also known as the Reproaches, are a series of antiphons and responses used on Good Friday that remind us of the atrocity of our sin. God had repeatedly saved us and we repeatedly rejected Him. Here I have put […]
A two part mixed voice anthem with keyboard accompaniment. The text is from the Biblical verse, 2 Samuel 18:33 which records King David’s reaction to the news that his son Absolom, who had rebelled against him, had been killed. When David heard that Absalom was slain He went up to his chamber over the gate […]
(Choral SATB, divisi) When Shiloh Came is a Christmas poem by Marie Radcliffe Butler, published in 1877, associating the coming of the baby Jesus with initiating the hope of the Gospels. The birth of this work started with notes of E, F and A. Starting as a minimalist, dissonant piece, it turned out to be […]
