Canticum Novum: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0006007
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Designed for impact in performance without stress in rehearsal, this strong concert/contest opener (or closer) features an accessible Latin text that alternates with English lyrics. A bold unison, sung in sweet-spot vocal ranges, leads to an antiphonal treatment of the marcato theme. A softer section, in three-part counterpoint, provides contrast before returning to the original melody. This celebratory piece works on any program, at any time of year, and provides wonderful lessons for developing choral singers.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006007
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck serves as Director of Choral Publications at Alfred Music, where he has cultivated a catalog of exceptional choral resources while maintaining an active career as a composer and arranger. His output spans over 450 published works, from concert pieces and vocal warm-up collections to children's musicals, all performed regularly by choirs across the globe. Beyond the page, Beck is known nationally as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for honor choirs and all-state ensembles, particularly throughout the Southeast.
A trained tenor with degrees from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, Beck brings classroom experience and performance expertise to every piece he writes. His commitment to choral artistry and music literacy shapes both his compositions and his editorial vision for Alfred's choral catalog. He remains active in performance through musical theatre and his work with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, bringing real singers' voices into his writing process.
Why we love this
Beck has written a piece that respects the learning curve of developing singers while delivering genuine musical substance. The shift from unison boldness to antiphonal interaction to three-part counterpoint creates a natural arc that teaches harmonic thinking without overwhelming rehearsal time, making this an ideal opener that sets a confident tone for any concert.
What to expect
Celebratory and direct, yet refined. The bold unison opening feels almost processional, confident in its simplicity, before the antiphonal exchange adds dialogue and playfulness. The shift to three-part counterpoint creates a moment of textural sophistication that feels earned rather than showy.
Who it's for
Two-part choirs ranging from developing middle school singers to treble ensembles seeking concert material that builds musicianship without demanding advanced technique. Directors looking for a piece that stands equally well as a program opener or finale will find this a practical choice for festival and contest settings.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the marcato articulation in the antiphonal sections so each voice part projects equally; the effect works only when both groups are heard with equal weight and rhythmic clarity.
- Shape the three-part counterpoint section with gentle dynamic control rather than pulling back entirely; this passage should feel like a moment of reflection, not absence.
- Let the Latin and English alternation feel natural by keeping the same musical energy regardless of language change; this supports the idea that both texts carry equal weight in the piece.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to establish energy and vocal confidence, or close one to send the audience out with a sense of accomplishment and joy. The accessible Latin-English pairing makes it work across the calendar year without thematic restrictions, fitting easily into spring festivals, holiday concerts, or all-purpose choral showcases.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in two-part and three-part textures with independent voice line awareness
- Marcato articulation and rhythmic precision in antiphonal singing
- Navigating between Latin and English pronunciation and text stress patterns
- Dynamic contrast and sectional listening within a single piece
- Maintaining steady unison tone while surrounding harmonic activity occurs