Music in the Mountains: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00404484
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Description
Rising and falling, this tuneful anthem in 6/8 celebrates the glory of Creation and the many ways it "sings" to us the mystery and majesty of God. Lilting with joyful alleluias, the music sprinkles strong unison sections in with full SATB writing. Some division in the choral parts creates special tone painting moments, and the orchestration offers instrumental and track options for churches needing those resources.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00404484
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and later 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 career has taken him across concert halls and symphony stages in the United States and Mexico, including a featured performance with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra as winner of the Nina Plant Wideman Competition. His solo recital work has been broadcast nationally, and his compositions and arrangements now reach audiences in settings ranging from Carnegie Hall to worship spaces across North America.
Martin has shifted his focus toward church music and conferences serving musicians in faith communities. Based in Austin with his family, he continues to compose and perform, bringing a sophisticated musical vocabulary shaped by his classical training to the needs of congregational and choral settings.
Why we love this
Martin's gift for melody shines here, and the 6/8 meter gives the piece an inherent lift that feels both celebratory and worshipful without veering into saccharine territory. The strategic use of unison alongside full harmonic writing creates natural dynamics and keeps singers engaged through the arrangement, while the flexible instrumentation means you can perform it whether you have a full orchestra or just a handful of players.
What to expect
The piece radiates joy and reverence in equal measure. The 6/8 rhythm feels natural and conversational, almost like the melody itself is singing the mystery of Creation back to us. Full moments land with warmth and depth, while unison passages create moments of clarity and unity that feel transcendent.
Who it's for
This works beautifully in church choirs of all sizes, youth ensembles with musical maturity, and community choruses seeking repertoire with spiritual substance. The flexible instrumentation makes it accessible whether you have instrumental support or are planning a piano accompaniment performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the 6/8 pulse lilting rather than marching; think of it as three groups of two beats that flow together, especially during the alleluia sections where the text invites rhythmic buoyancy.
- The division moments deserve attention in rehearsal. These are tone painting opportunities, so shape the choral sonorities differently in those sections to highlight the textual meaning.
- Balance the instrumental parts against your ensemble size. If you're using the full orchestration, ensure strings and winds support rather than overshadow the voices, particularly in the unison sections where clarity is essential.
How to use it
This sits comfortably in a spring worship service focused on stewardship or Creation themes, or as an anchor piece in a program celebrating faith and natural world. Its tuneful, accessible nature makes it an excellent choice for congregational involvement if you want to invite your audience into the alleluias.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in mixed meter (6/8 time) with secure pulse and fluidity
- Balancing unison and divisi writing to achieve different textural effects
- Responding to text painting through varied choral sonority and blend
- Coordinating with instrumental accompaniment across diverse orchestration options
- Sustaining legato phrasing in stepwise and arpeggiated melodic lines