Mirabile Dictu: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: Mirabile Dictu: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 12-0571535674
Price: 3.99 USD
Availability: InStock

From the Manchester Carols

By Carol Ann Duffy and Sasha Johnson Manning

Level: Moderately Challenging

Item: 12-0571535674

$3.99

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The Manchester Carols is a collection of 12 carols, linked with a gentle, entertaining narration, which reshape and modernize the Christmas story. Its creators wanted to write something that is relevant to and reflects modern society, and which acknowledges the fact that even though someone might not subscribe to the religion behind the Nativity story, they can still appreciate it as an inspiring, magical tale. The carols are for everyone, believers or not and are a popular Christmas choice for choirs looking for a large scale concert piece.

Published as a standalone piece, Mirabile Dictu, is the first carol in the collection, and is written for SATB choir and piano.

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Series: Faber Edition: Choral Signature Series

Publisher: Faber Music

ISBN10: 0-571-53567-4

ISBN13: 978-0-571-53567-5

SKU: 12-0571535674

Instrumentation: with Piano

More about this title

About the Composer: Sasha Johnson Manning

Sasha Johnson Manning is a British composer whose work spans choral, orchestral, and theatrical music with a distinctive focus on making classical forms accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences. Her compositions often blend traditional harmonic language with modern sensibilities, creating pieces that resonate with both experienced musicians and casual listeners.

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Why we love this

Manning's opening carol establishes the entire collection's tone with music that feels both rooted in carol tradition and genuinely fresh. The piece succeeds because it trusts your singers with real harmonic interest without requiring them to navigate impossible ranges or rhythmic complexity. It's the kind of writing that makes a choir sound sophisticated while remaining genuinely singable in rehearsal.

What to expect

Mirabile Dictu carries the wonder and stillness of the Nativity story without sentimentality. The harmonic language is warm and approachable, grounded in carol traditions while avoiding predictability. It invites singers and listeners into a story that feels both ancient and alive in the present moment.

Who it's for

Choirs at the intermediate level who want substantial carol repertoire with genuine musical substance. This piece works for church choirs, community ensembles, and school groups seeking to present a concert-length Christmas program with continuity and narrative arc.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the piano part so it supports harmonic clarity without overwhelming the voices; the accompaniment carries important harmonic movement that reinforces intonation.
Shape phrases through the text rather than resting at bar lines; the narration that frames this piece in the full collection suggests a gentle, forward-moving approach even in quieter moments.
Tune the inner voices (alto and tenor) with particular care, as this piece's appeal depends on the warmth and blend of all four parts moving together.

How to use it

Program this as the opening movement of a larger Christmas concert built around the Manchester Carols cycle, or perform it standalone as a compelling seasonal concert opener. Its moderately challenging scoring rewards rehearsal time without derailing preparation schedules, making it ideal for groups planning a substantial holiday presentation.