African Canticle: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by David Angerman / Arranged by Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00403827
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Description
This unique offering uses images of creation to describe the eternal qualities of God. Inspired by African folk idioms, the "call and response" form, along with native percussion, completes the package, making this a truly unforgettable worship offering. May be sung a cappella, if desired. Parts for Bass and Percussion available as a digital download.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00403827
More about this title
About the Arranger: David Angerman
David Angerman brings deep expertise in both organ and choral writing through his role as editor of the Organ and Handbell Music Division at Shawnee Press. His formal training spans church music (B.M.E. and M.M. from Baylor University) and organ performance (M.M. from the University of Texas), grounding his arrangements in liturgical sensibility and technical mastery.
As Minister of Music at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas, Angerman remains active in worship leadership and composition. His professional memberships in TCDA, AGEHR, AGO, Choristers Guild, and the Association of Lutheran Worship Leaders reflect his commitment to advancing choral and organ music across denominational lines.
Why we love this
The call and response structure taps into something singers instinctively understand, creating immediate engagement without requiring complex musical literacy. Angerman and Martin have woven African percussion and folk idioms into the choral fabric in ways that feel authentic rather than decorative, giving your singers genuine cultural material to inhabit rather than surface gestures.
What to expect
The piece unfolds with the architectural beauty of a call echoing back from creation itself; each exchange between soloist and choir mirrors the way creation might praise its maker. The addition of native percussion brings earth and immediacy into the sacred space, making abstraction tangible.
Who it's for
Worship directors and choir leaders seeking music that honors African musical traditions while exploring theological depth. This works equally well for churches building more diverse repertoire or choirs ready to engage with percussion and call and response structures.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the call and response sections with clear textural contrast: let the answering voice group sing with warmth and presence, resisting the urge to blend them into the call section.
- Establish the native percussion patterns in rehearsal before adding voices; percussionists should drive the rhythmic foundation so singers can respond to it confidently.
- Consider the a cappella option for a service moment where instrumental color would feel excessive, allowing the voices alone to carry the spiritual weight of the creation imagery.
How to use it
Place this during a service season focused on creation theology or environmental stewardship, where the imagery of the text naturally connects to liturgical themes. It also serves as a strong transition moment between more structured hymnal repertoire and contemplative music, offering singers and listeners a different musical language within worship.
Skills your students will build
- Call and response coordination between soloist and ensemble
- Rhythmic independence while responding to percussion patterns
- Cultural sensitivity and authentic interpretation of African folk idioms
- Awareness of textural contrast and dynamic shaping in choral balance
- Sight-reading percussion parts in non-standard notation