Guiding Star
This new setting of the Christmas/Epiphany words, “As with gladness, men of old did the guiding star behold” seeks to emphasize the joyful nature of the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. Set in a lively 7/8 time, it is mainly in four parts (SATB), although the 3rd verse, “As they offered gifts most rare” is for men’s voices only (TTBB). There is also a quieter, more meditative section, reflecting the words of verse 4, “Holy Jesus, every day…”
The accompaniment is for piano or organ, and the piece may be purchased in printed form or as a digital download via SwirlyMusic.org. An orchestration is now available from the composer. You can hear this version here, but please note it’s a private recording made with an iPhone, so the quality is not great, but it will give you an impression of how the piece sounds with orchestra.
| Voicing: | SATB |
| Instrumentation: | Orchestra, Organ, Piano |
| Language: | English |
| Sacred or Secular: | Sacred |
| Season or Event: | Christmas, Epiphany |
| Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Descriptive Tags: | Adoration, Carol, Celebratory, Christian, Magi - Wise Men, Music About Music, New Hymn Settings, Praise, Prayer, PROJECT : ENCORE, Star, Worship |
| Duration: | 1-5 Minutes |
$2.95
This title is available in print or for immediate download. For both options, there is a minimum required quantity of 8 copies for choral titles. Please support self-publishing composers by ordering the quantity according to the number of singers in the ensemble that will perform the work.
Print orders are printed on demand and shipped by our printing partner, and can be expected to be processed within a few days of the order. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] to follow up.
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These simple folksong arrangements were made for two community choirs based in Selly Oak, Birmingham, but they would be equally suitable for school choirs or other groups. Included are well known songs from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, which are woven into a continuous piece lasting about six and a half minutes. The medley starts […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Click here to follow the score: https://youtu.be/kSR8gohqJVY This setting of ‘Jesus, friend of little children’ was written about 30 years ago, for the baptism of our younger daughter. It was written as a soprano solo with piano accompaniment. In this current version, it may still be performed as a solo, if desired, but I have added […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A lovely setting of the well-known communion prayer by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), this version has the choir sing both the original Latin and later in English translation. This anthem is indicative of my compositional style, including rapidly shifting harmonic centers. However, it is very approachable for both the singers and listeners, employing simple four-part harmonies […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||