Carols for Seekers: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00338304
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Description
Uses: Christmas, Epiphany
Scripture: Matthew 2:2; Revelation 22:16
This vigorous anthem is based on two well-known carol tunes. The first, "La Marche des Rois," is a regal theme appropriate for the kingly nature of the text, and the second, "The Coventry Carol," is one of the most expressive of our Christmas themes. This invitation to the manger is a great choice for post-Christmas services and the season of Epiphany. Solid!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00338304
More about this title
About the Arranger: 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 also taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. A accomplished solo pianist and competition winner, he has performed with symphony orchestras across the United States and Mexico, including the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra following his victory in the Nina Plant Wideman Competition. His concert work has taken him from Carnegie Hall to churches and conferences throughout North America, though he now focuses his considerable talent on composing and arranging for worship contexts.
Martin's catalog reveals a composer unafraid to blend musical sophistication with spiritual purpose. His arrangements and original compositions appear in venues ranging from concert halls to small sanctuaries, each one carrying the mark of someone who understands both the technical demands of musicians and the emotional needs of congregational worship. He lives in Austin, Texas with his family.
Why we love this
Martin's gift for balancing recognizable melody with fresh harmonic treatment shines here. The pairing of "La Marche des Rois" and "The Coventry Carol" feels inevitable in retrospect, yet it takes a skilled arranger to make these tunes complement rather than compete. Directors get a piece substantial enough to anchor a service yet accessible enough that singers grasp the musical concept quickly.
What to expect
The piece moves with ceremonial purpose, from the stately procession of the first tune to the tender intimacy of the second. There's a sense of spiritual seeking woven throughout: the grandeur of kingly visitors gradually giving way to the quiet reverence of approach. The combination creates an emotional arc that mirrors the journey described in the text.
Who it's for
This arrangement works for choirs with intermediate to advanced capabilities who want substantial material for Christmas or Epiphany services. It suits both traditional worship settings and contemporary holiday programs where congregations expect more than single-carol simplicity.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the regal character of "La Marche des Rois" through crisp articulation and deliberate phrasing; this opening sets the expectation for majesty.
- Allow "The Coventry Carol" section to breathe more freely, pulling back the tempo slightly to let its expressiveness emerge naturally.
- Balance the choral voices with instrumental support early in rehearsals to establish confidence, then gradually reduce accompaniment to build independence.
- Consider the text painting opportunities where the carol tunes shift; these moments benefit from subtle dynamic shaping that highlights the theological arc.
How to use it
This works beautifully as the centerpiece of a post-Christmas service or during the season of Epiphany when congregations explore themes of revelation and seeking. It pairs well with responsive readings of Matthew 2:2 and can frame scripture readings about light and searching. Consider placing it late in the service to build toward a meditative conclusion.
Skills your students will build
- Contrasting musical character (regal versus expressive)
- Text alignment across two distinct melodic sections
- Blend and balance between choir and instrumental accompaniment
- Interpretation of scriptural themes through musical arrangement