Hodie: SSA Choral Octavo

Waggoner crafts genuine contrast within a compact form, avoiding the predictable harmonic progressions that can make Christmas octavos blur together. The Renaissance fanfare framing gives the piece architectural clarity, while the rhythmic and harmonic shifts at the center keep singers and listeners engaged without overcomplicating the text or performance demands.

The piece radiates celebration, opening with fanfare-like brightness before drawing inward with harmonic color and rhythmic complexity. It closes as it began, creating a satisfying sense of return while never feeling static or overly familiar.

This octavo works well for treble choirs preparing Christmas programming at intermediate to advanced levels. Directors seeking shorter, highly singable Latin texts with modern compositional language will find this piece both accessible and musically rewarding.

• Mark the meter shifts and tempo changes clearly in rehearsal; the compound meter with scattered duple eighth notes requires secure ensemble internal pulse.
• Shape the fanfare sections with bright articulation and forward momentum, allowing the core section to breathe in contrast.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the harmonic foundation, especially through the key and mode changes, so singers can focus on text clarity and blend.

Pair this with other Christmas pieces in different languages or styles to show range within a seasonal concert. Its concise length and jubilant character make it ideal as a closing piece or as part of a mixed-faith holiday program.

• Reading compound meter with duple figure interruptions
• Navigating key and mode shifts within a single piece
• Adjusting tempo and articulation between contrasting sections
• Blending across changing harmonic colors
• Singing Latin text with clear vowels and precise rhythm