Hosanna Deo!: SSAB Choral Octavo

Gilpin writes for the contemporary choir that wants genuine rhythmic challenge without sacrificing accessibility. The constant meter shifts (5/4 to 4/4 to 6/8) and staccato piano foundation feel fresh and energizing, while the legato "in excelsis" section provides the lyrical breathing room your singers need. This is festival repertoire that justifies the rehearsal investment with a piece your choir will remember.

Bright, percussive energy anchors the opening sections, with the staccato piano creating an almost propulsive, almost mechanical joy. When the "in excelsis" section arrives, the piece softens into buoyant legato singing that feels like a moment of transcendence before erupting into celebratory, dance-inflected alleluias.

Intermediate to advanced mixed choirs seeking contemporary sacred repertoire with genuine rhythmic sophistication. This piece rewards ensembles with solid sight-reading skills and the stamina for meter shifts without losing ensemble cohesion.

• Establish the staccato piano theme as the heartbeat of the piece before adding voices. Lock this rhythm into your singers' bodies so they can anchor their own entrances against its driving pulse.
• The 5/4 sections demand precise subdivision from your section leaders. Consider rehearsing these passages with a metronome at half tempo, then gradually building to performance speed.
• Shape the "in excelsis" section as a genuine lyrical departure. Ease the tempo slightly here and soften your dynamic profile to let the shift in meter feel like a musical moment, not a technical hurdle.
• Build momentum through the final "alleluias" in 6/8 by increasing the piano's energy and shaping each phrase toward the cadence. The rhythmic profile should feel dance-like and propulsive.

Program this as a spring or festival performance centerpiece, where its rhythmic novelty and celebratory text can shine alongside more traditional sacred works. It pairs well with pieces in conventional meters, allowing you to showcase your choir's versatility and technical range on a single concert.

• Reading and maintaining mixed meters (5/4, 4/4, 6/8 within one piece)
• Singing staccato articulation while maintaining legit tone production
• Rhythmic independence against a driving piano accompaniment
• Stylistic contrast (percussive energy to lyrical legato to jubilant celebration)
• Ensemble cohesion during rapid meter transitions