Gloria Tibi: 3-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid
Item: 00-PO-0000291
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
The light pop beat is a nice addition to this setting of a traditional Latin text. Neither voicing is difficult to put together, and both are fun to sing. Includes some English text in the middle and a joyful descant at the end. Appropriate year-round.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000291
More about this title
About the Composer: Mary Donnelly
Mary Donnelly grew up in Reno, Nevada, and studied English and French at the University of Nevada before pursuing music education. She earned her Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she focused on integrating the arts across the curriculum. For three decades, she taught general music and choir in the Washoe County School District, retiring after a career spent nurturing young musicians in elementary and middle school settings.
In 1985, Donnelly began collaborating with composer and arranger George L. O. Strid when their principal asked them to create a musical for Reading Week. That initial project launched a prolific partnership that has produced over two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. She maintains active membership in ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP.
Why we love this
The pop-inflected rhythm gives this Latin text setting contemporary energy without sacrificing accessibility. Both the SAB voicing and optional descant feel equally satisfying to sing, and the blend of Latin and English text creates a natural arc that keeps singers engaged throughout the piece.
What to expect
Gloria Tibi strikes a balance between reverence and joy, anchored by a modern beat that feels both respectful and alive. The descant finale creates a moment of radiance, turning what begins as a straightforward setting into something with genuine lightness and celebration.
Who it's for
Directors seeking sacred repertoire that engages singers with a contemporary rhythm without demanding advanced sight-reading or vocal maturity. It works equally well for middle school choirs building confidence and high school ensembles looking for a joyful, accessible program piece.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the pop groove against the sacred text by keeping articulation clean and rhythms precise; resist the urge to oversing, letting the beat carry the piece.
- When introducing the English section, mark a clear textural shift in dynamics and voice independence so the language change reads as a natural moment rather than a detour.
- Feature your best singers on the optional descant in the final section; even in a 3-part piece, this line should sparkle above the harmonic foundation.
How to use it
Program this as a bridge piece between more traditional sacred music and contemporary works, or use it as a season opener that introduces singers to the blend of pop and choral writing. Its year-round appropriateness makes it ideal for spring concerts, holiday services, or any program needing a moment of uplifting sacred color.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in 3-part mixed voicing (SAB) with clear voice independence
- Interpreting pop-influenced rhythmic accompaniment while maintaining choral ensemble blend
- Navigating code-switching between Latin and English text with appropriate musical character
- Executing optional descant lines with confidence and balance