Centuries ago, Gregorian Chant filled the halls of Western Cathedrals with plaintive song and earnest melody. Now, this wonderful tradition of old is brought to vivid life again with “These Things” for a Cappella Chorus. Singers will love to engage their audiences with this tender and nuanced portrait of scripture. The text states simply, “Finally brethren…if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV)" A haunting melody and a stunning setting make this a worthwhile addition to any advanced choir's repertoire.

 

Title: These Things

Author: Public Domain

Time: 6 minutes, 30 seconds

Orchestration: A Cappella Chorus

Kind: Choral Setting

Instrumentation: SSAATTBB

Program Notes: "These Things" is a work for chorus that seeks to express and reflect the need in today's times for more positive thought and action. It exists both as a plea and a charge to the listener to find any and every conceivable reason on this earth to be and to think positively, and to ACT on that thought process! Inspired primarily by (though not derived from) Plain-chant, this through-composed work features several elements that one could perhaps ascribe to pre-(and post) Renaissance music, including antiphonal passages, some alternating between homophonic and polyphonic textures, isorhythmic and polyrhythmic passages, as well as some modal writing. Basically, the style of the piece consists of a blending of contemporary and traditional, both old and new things, to help signify the broad reach (to the crossing of barriers and boundaries) of such pleas and appeals as are made known in this text: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Based on the Biblical scripture Phillipians 4:8 (KJV), this particular setting aims to paint a clear picture of that text, and hopefully bring to life the importance and relevance such words continue to have today.

Commissioned (Premier performance) by - Georgia State University Singers

Key: N/A

Written: 2014

Premiered: May 1, 2014