Description

Brethren, We Have Met to Worship is an arrangement of an American folk hymn with a pentatonic melody; the text is by George Atkins. Although quite within the realm of Junior-age choirs, the words would seem to indicate performance by high school or even adult singers. The first stanza, though in unison, could alternate men and women as long as the sturdiness of the tune is maintained. The second, in canon, has the boys posing questions with the girls answers overlapping. This section should be unusually animated so that the listener is swept along with the dialogue. The final stanza, unison with descant, probably would be best with first sopranos on the obbligato, all other voices on the tune. Having the lower women's voices join the men on the melody will fill in the extremes of the part writing and give more possibilities for the divisi in the last few measures. The composer has given some general registration suggestions for performance on the organ. Light, clear sounds should be used that will support the voices as well as emphasize the rhythmic nature of the piece.

Voicing: Unison/Two-part with handbells, glockenspiel, and organ

Arranger: Randolph Currie

Text: George Atkins