Hodie: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Waggoner crafts genuine contrast within a compact form, moving seamlessly from fanfare-like confidence to textural richness without overstaying his welcome. The rhythmic complexity (compound meter paired with duple eighth figures) and harmonic shifts keep singers engaged without requiring an unrealistic rehearsal timeline for a holiday work.

Hodie opens with Renaissance-inspired brilliance, then draws inward to explore richer harmonic territory before returning to the same jubilant energy that launched it. The interplay of compound meter and unexpected rhythmic figures creates rhythmic lift, while key and mode shifts add harmonic color that feels both fresh and grounded in the familiar Latin text.

This work suits choirs seeking a Christmas octavo that moves beyond simple harmonic progressions without demanding extensive part-learning time. It works equally well for high school choirs wanting textural sophistication and community/church choirs that appreciate bright, affirming repertoire with real compositional craft.

• Mark the meter shifts clearly in rehearsal; singers will anchor better to the pulse when they see 6/8 versus 4/4 transitions happening intentionally rather than accidentally.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the compound meter feel during early sectional work, then gradually reduce reliance on it so voices find independence with the harmonic shifts.
• Shape the opening fanfare with the same clarity and forward motion you'd bring to a Renaissance motet; let it set the tone for the jubilation that follows.
• Balance the key and mode changes as coloration rather than disruption; rehearse these measures in isolation to hear how they deepen the musical fabric before adding them back to the full texture.

This octavo works particularly well as an opening number for a Christmas concert, where its fanfare-like opening can set a festive tone immediately. Alternatively, pair it with more introspective sacred works to showcase the variety available in holiday choral literature, allowing the contrasting middle section to provide textural variety within a cohesive program.

• Reading and performing in compound meter (6/8) with embedded duple rhythms
• Navigating key and mode shifts mid-phrase
• Maintaining pulse through tempo changes
• Balancing rhythmic independence across voice parts in a compact timeframe
• Responding to harmonic color and textural contrast as interpretive expressive tools