Words from Traditional Latin, music by Jacob Narverud
Item: 00-PO-0007009
Digital Download
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 10 copies
Please note: Under U.S. copyright law, you must purchase the exact number of copies needed for your ensemble. Printing, duplicating or sharing additional copies is strictly prohibited.
Colorful choral sonorities emerge over a steady "heartbeat" piano part in this contemporary treatment of the traditional Latin text. Composer Jacob Narverud remains faithful to the tonic scale degree throughout, creating plenty of ethereal cluster chords as the piece unfolds. A contrasting spoken section quotes a biblical verse about perseverance. Impressive in concert or contest.
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Jacob Narverud (b. 1986) founded the Tallgrass Chamber Choir, a professional ensemble drawing musicians from across the Great Plains, and serves as editor for Santa Barbara Music Publishing. His compositional voice has earned commissions from over fifty choral organizations in the United States, Australia, and Japan.
Narverud's works have become international staples in choral repertoire, performed by ensembles at every level and featured prominently on streaming platforms. His gift for creating sonically striking arrangements while respecting traditional texts and liturgical contexts has made him one of the most recorded composers in contemporary choral music.
Why we love this
Narverud's tonal foundation paired with modern cluster harmonies creates an immediately distinctive sound—neither overly avant-garde nor conventionally safe. The steady piano heartbeat provides a secure harmonic anchor that lets singers focus on blending those ethereal sonorities, and the spoken section offers a dramatic shift that holds audience attention without requiring extended vocal ranges.
What to expect
Ethereal and contemplative, with a hypnotic rhythmic pulse underneath. The harmony shimmers like light filtered through stained glass, while the spoken text grounds the piece in something human and intentional.
Who it's for
This octavo suits choirs comfortable with contemporary sonorities and treble voicings (SSAA). It works well for ensembles preparing for competition or concert venues where a shorter sacred work with modern sensibility can make a strong impact.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the cluster chords carefully in rehearsal by having singers sustain individual pitches while you listen to the composite sound from the back of the room; adjust blend as needed before adding text.
Work the spoken section as its own rehearsal unit, paying attention to the contrast in energy and delivery between the ethereal singing sections and the grounded biblical quotation.
Ensure the piano part locks in with the vocal parts early; the heartbeat rhythm is the structural spine, so any wavering there will undermine the piece's meditative quality.
How to use it
Place this as a standalone sacred work on a mixed concert, or pair it with other contemporary arrangements of traditional texts to create a thematic exploration of timeless words in modern voice. Its brevity and dramatic arc make it ideal for opening a second half or concluding a set with impact.
Skills your students will build
Singing cluster chords and dissonant harmony with confidence and blend
Sustaining pitch in modern harmonies without relying on familiar cadential landmarks
Executing a rapid vocal-to-spoken transition while maintaining focus and presence
Responding to a text-driven, non-traditional harmonic language
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
