Invitation to a Miracle: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00344826
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Description
Joyful sounds abound in this colorful Christmas gift for choirs. Through poetic narration, scripture passages and creatively arranged carols, the timeless story of the birth of Christ is presented. Gathered around the wonders that accompanied Jesus' birth, this cantata journeys from the miracle of prophecy to the incarnation and proclamation of this most significant moment. Stellar orchestrations by Brant Adams and a chamber orchestration by Stan Pethel frame the work with golden beauty. A full line of companion products is available to support your presentation.
Songs include: "Overture; A Processional of Hope; Joy Arising; Your Light Has Come; My Soul Rejoices in the Lord; A Celtic Cradle Carol; Alleluia! Christ Is Born!; Would I Miss the Miracle?; A Gloria Gathering."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00344826
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and earned his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. His performing career has taken him across North America and Mexico, including appearances with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra and performances at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to churches throughout the United States and Canada.
While Martin maintains an active concert schedule, his focus has shifted toward composing and arranging music for worship settings and church musician conferences. His catalog reveals a composer unafraid to work across genres and styles, creating works that appear in concert halls, theaters, and sanctuaries with equal comfort. He lives in Austin, Texas with his family.
Why we love this
Martin's gift for narrative architecture shines in this cantata. Rather than assembling disconnected carols, he uses poetic narration and scripture to build genuine dramatic momentum, making each musical moment feel essential to the larger story. The orchestrations by Brant Adams and chamber work by Stan Pethel elevate the whole production without overwhelming volunteer choirs or smaller ensembles.
What to expect
The music radiates warmth and wonder without saccharine sentimentality. Golden orchestrations frame each carol with fresh arrangements that invite listeners to hear familiar melodies anew. There's genuine spiritual weight beneath the joyfulness, inviting both performers and audiences into a deeper encounter with the incarnation story.
Who it's for
Choirs looking for a Christmas presentation that goes beyond typical carol compilations will find genuine artistic substance here. This works well for churches with access to instrumentalists and the rehearsal time to prepare a full production, though the chamber orchestration option makes it accessible to smaller programs.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the narration carefully with the choral sections. The spoken word should feel conversational rather than theatrical, allowing the music to carry the weight of emotion.
- Rehearse the modulation points between songs with extra attention. Clean key changes preserve the cantata's sense of unfolding revelation.
- Use the variety of arrangements to shape pacing. Lighter pieces like the Celtic carol provide necessary breathing room between more substantial choral moments.
- Engage your instrumentalists early. These orchestrations deserve proper preparation time, and musicians who understand the underlying theology perform with greater sensitivity.
How to use it
This cantata works beautifully as a complete Advent or Christmas service in itself, or as the centerpiece of a longer concert program. Position it where the full orchestration can be heard clearly, and allow time afterward for the weight of the final proclamation to settle with your audience.
Skills your students will build
- Singing scripture passages and poetic text with interpretive depth
- Ensemble balance within varied arrangements (from full orchestration to chamber scoring)
- Stylistic flexibility across multiple carol arrangements
- Sustained phrasing across longer narrative arcs
- Collaborative musicianship with instrumental partners