Festival Sanctus: SATB Choral Octavo

Leavitt's knack for infectious rhythm and soaring melody shines here. This piece delivers the energy and excitement festivals demand without sacrificing musical integrity, making it a practical choice for groups seeking a confident, crowd-pleasing selection that's also genuinely fun to rehearse.

Bright, propulsive energy paired with genuine reverence. The piece maintains the contemplative quality inherent in a Sanctus while channeling that reverence into forward motion and rhythmic vitality that feels celebratory rather than solemn.

Festival and contest choirs seeking an upbeat sacred work with strong audience appeal. This piece works equally well for high school ensembles building confidence and advanced middle school groups ready for a more sophisticated rhythmic texture.

• Anchor the rhythmic drive in the rhythm section and bass line; this piece thrives when the pulse feels inevitable rather than imposed.
• Shape the dynamic arc deliberately across longer phrases rather than hitting peaks and valleys at every marking; the 'driving' character should build momentum.
• Balance brightness in the upper voices with support from below so the joyous quality reads clearly without sounding thin.

Program this as a festival entry or as the centerpiece of a sacred concert that benefits from a more contemporary energy. Its driving character balances beautifully against slower choral works, offering contrast without tonal jarring.

• Sustaining rhythmic precision across syncopated figures
• Singing with consistent tone through rapid text setting
• Building and controlling dynamic intensity across longer phrases
• Balancing upper and lower voices in a rhythmically active texture