A Thanksgiving Canticle: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin / Arranged by Brad Nix
Item: 35-PK00388584
$15.00
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| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| A Thanksgiving Canticle - Full Score: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| A Thanksgiving Canticle - Handbells: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 |
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Description
Uses: General, Thanksgiving
Scripture: Psalm 9:1; Jeremiah 30:19; II Corinthians 4:15; Philippians 4:6-7
One of our most beloved sacred tunes is transformed by a new text, offering up a gentle and joyous prayer of thanksgiving. The organ sets an atmosphere of reflection and worship, forming a bed for this ancient plainsong melody. Much unison singing encourages quick learning and text clarity. An effective, vocally rich second verse is noteworthy using oohs and a freely flowing tempo design. The last stanza opens up into a paean of gratitude with the handbells decorating the words, "Let the sounds of grateful people soar beyond these walls. Ring the bells from every steeple boldly singing forth this call, Lord, we thank You."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00388584
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and later earned his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. His performance career has taken him across concert halls from Carnegie Hall to symphony orchestras in the United States and Mexico, including a featured appearance with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra after winning the Nina Plant Wideman Competition. In recent years, Martin has redirected his talents toward church music and worship settings, composing and arranging extensively for congregational singing while maintaining an active schedule as a concert performer at conferences and worship services throughout North America.
Based in Austin, Texas, Martin has become known for the surprising range of his compositional voice. His works appear in settings as varied as Broadway theaters and parish churches, yet they consistently reflect his deep understanding of both liturgical tradition and contemporary worship needs. His gift for transforming familiar hymn tunes with fresh texts and compelling harmonies has made him a trusted voice in sacred music for decades.
Why we love this
Martin's gift for pairing a cherished plainsong melody with a completely fresh text creates immediate familiarity without predictability. The arrangement respects congregational singing while offering choir directors genuine musical substance, particularly in the second verse where oohs and a freely flowing tempo add textural variety without overwhelming singers. The handbells in the final stanza feel earned rather than tacked on, reinforcing the message of gratitude with a sound that genuinely soars.
What to expect
A quiet moment of reflection that gradually builds into confident praise. The ancient plainsong melody grounds the piece in liturgical tradition, while the organ creates a hushed, contemplative frame. By the final verse, the addition of handbells transforms introspection into joyful declaration without sacrificing the reverent tone established at the opening.
Who it's for
Churches, schools, and community choirs observing Thanksgiving or planning a gratitude-focused service. The unison-heavy writing makes it accessible to mixed ensembles with limited rehearsal time, while the harmonic language and instrumental accompaniment offer enough sophistication to satisfy more experienced singers.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the organ establish the meditative quality in the introduction; your ensemble should enter as if joining an already sacred moment rather than initiating one.
- The unison passages demand clear diction over volume. Thanksgiving texts deserve clarity, so drill the words independently before adding the melody.
- Shape the second verse's oohs with a gentle swell and release; they should sound like a congregation breathing together, not like sustained background vocals.
- If using handbells, coordinate the bell patterns with the text in the final stanza so the ringing underscores rather than distracts from "Let the sounds of grateful people soar."
How to use it
Slot this into a Thanksgiving service as the central musical meditation, either early in worship to set a reflective tone or later as a moment of gratitude before the benediction. It pairs beautifully with congregational hymns on either side, giving the choir a featured moment while keeping the overall liturgy grounded in corporate worship rather than performance.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in unison with clear text articulation
- Balancing choir and organ parts to support rather than compete with one another
- Executing freely flowing tempo changes while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Sustaining soft dynamics without losing pitch or resonance
- Interpreting plainsong style and phrasing conventions