John Leavitt is a prolific composer whose catalogue spans sacred choral music, secular concert works, and instrumental arrangements. His writing for voices demonstrates a deep understanding of choral technique paired with accessible melodic writing that engages singers and audiences alike. Leavitt's pieces are staples in high school and community choral programs across North America, valued for their musicality and practical orchestration choices.
Why we love this
Leavitt captures the jubilant spirit of the Gloria text without demanding virtuosic vocal writing or complex harmonic language. The piece sits beautifully for mixed voices, allowing each section moments to shine while maintaining a cohesive ensemble sound. It's the kind of sacred work that satisfies musically while remaining performable by choirs at multiple ability levels.
What to expect
The Gloria radiates warmth and celebration. Leavitt's setting moves with purpose, blending lyrical melodic passages with moments of rhythmic drive that give the text genuine energy without sacrificing reverence.
Who it's for
High school choirs and community ensembles seeking a well-crafted sacred work that balances musical substance with pedagogical accessibility. This piece works equally well for directors preparing a liturgical service or building a concert program around sacred repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
Keep the harmonic movement clear by sustaining inner voices through longer note values; they anchor the melodic lines rather than compete with them.
Shape the text through dynamic shading across phrases rather than sudden jumps. The Gloria text invites building momentum, so let each thought breathe before the next begins.
Balance soprano and alto lines when they move in similar motion; the inner voices carry essential harmonic color in this work.
Consider the recorded accompaniment as a starting point for tempo, but trust your choir's natural phrasing and allow slight flexibility at phrase endings.
How to use it
Feature this as part of a sacred concert pairing it with other settings of the Ordinary, or use it as the centerpiece of a liturgical service during appropriate seasons. At 12 pages, it's substantial enough to anchor a program section but brief enough to balance with additional repertoire.
Skills your students will build
Blending sustained harmonic textures within SATB voicing
Phrasing and text expression in sacred Latin repertoire
Balancing melodic independence across voice parts
Intonation control in four-part writing with longer note values
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