How Quietly: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joel Raney
Item: 35-PK00433613
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Description
How Quietly
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00433613
More about this title
About the Composer: Joel Raney
Joel Raney's musicianship emerged early, rooted in the gospel traditions of a rural Alabama Baptist church, an aesthetic that permeates every piece he writes. After studying choral conducting at the University of North Alabama and earning a master's degree in piano performance from Juilliard, he has spent over two decades establishing himself as one of the most prolific voices in church music, with more than 300 published works and a portfolio spanning choral anthems, musicals, cantatas, handbells, and instrumental compositions.
Beyond the church sphere, Raney has built a parallel career as a composer for commercial media, creating soundtracks for thousands of television and radio spots since 1988. His versatility across classical, jazz, and pop idioms informs his distinctive arranging voice. As Editor at Hope Publishing and a frequent clinician for choral and keyboard programs, he remains deeply connected to the musicians who perform his work.
Why we love this
Raney's gift lies in crafting pieces that honor the text without overwhelming it. How Quietly sits in that rarified space where simplicity and depth coexist, allowing even modest ensembles to convey genuine tenderness during the Christmas season.
What to expect
An intimate moment of stillness, the kind that invites listeners to lean in. There's reverence here without heaviness, and a transparency that lets every voice and instrument register clearly.
Who it's for
This works well for choirs of moderate size seeking a gentler Christmas offering, particularly those comfortable with the reflective rather than celebratory side of the season. The choral-instrumental pairing makes it accessible to programs with developing instrumental sections.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the dynamic arc gradually; resist the urge to telegraph the quiet moments too early in rehearsal
- Let the instrumental parts breathe independently from the voices rather than doubling every syllable
- Approach the softest passages as opportunities for ensemble focus rather than challenges to overcome
How to use it
Pair this with more exuberant Christmas fare to create programming depth; it serves as a powerful centerpiece for a quieter section of a larger concert, or stands beautifully as the closing selection when you want the audience to leave in contemplative silence.
Skills your students will build
- singing and playing at sustained pianissimo levels without losing tone quality
- maintaining ensemble blend across mixed voicing and instrumentation
- interpreting text through restraint rather than expression