Come To Us, Father (arr. Richard A. Nichols): SAB Choral Octavo

A reverent invocation set to music that breathes gently rather than demands. The arrangement moves through moments of stillness and quiet motion, creating space for introspection while maintaining forward momentum.

Intermediate mixed choirs seeking sacred repertoire that works for worship settings, concert programs, or festival appearances. The SAB voicing makes it accessible to groups with developing male singers or limited tenors.

• Balance the soprano and alto lines carefully in passages where they move independently; neither should dominate, but both need clarity for the counterpoint to read.
• Shape the phrase endings with gentle releases rather than full stops. This maintains the prayer-like continuity even when you mark distinct sections.
• Let the men carry the harmonic foundation with confidence in lower passages; a supported bass line gives the whole ensemble something solid to build from.

This works beautifully as a program opener for a sacred concert or as a reflective piece near the end of a service or ceremony. It pairs naturally with other contemplative sacred works and provides a counterpoint to more energetic pieces in the same set.

• Singing sustained tone on sacred text with proper breath support
• Managing independent melodic lines within a three-part texture
• Approaching expressive phrasing in liturgical music
• Balancing ensemble blend across SAB voicing
• Reading choral music with modest harmonic complexity