Rise Up in Merry Measure: PianoTrax Digital Download

$9.99 USD

Rise Up in Merry Measure: PianoTrax Digital Download

Music by Guillaume Costeley / ed. and arr., with new words, by Patrick M. Liebergen

Item: 00-A-00016577

$9.99

Digital Download

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

UPC: 0

SKU: 00-A-00016577

Instrumentation: Opt. Piano or Hand Drum

More about this title

About the Composer: Guillaume Costeley

Guillaume Costeley (c. 1520-1594) was a French Renaissance composer and music theorist who spent much of his career in the royal courts of France. He composed chansons, motets, and madrigals that exemplified the refined polyphonic writing of the mid-16th century, earning respect for his skillful counterpoint and expressive text-setting.

Costeley's madrigals remain valued in choral education for their elegant melodic lines and manageable technical demands. His secular works demonstrate how Renaissance composers balanced harmonic sophistication with singability, making them ideal repertoire for singers developing musicality and ensemble awareness.

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Why we love this

Costeley's "Rise Up in Merry Measure" offers a refreshing alternative to the madrigals students typically encounter, with bright character and straightforward harmonic language that doesn't sacrifice Renaissance authenticity. Patrick Liebergen's arrangement preserves the work's period charm while making it accessible for SSA and SSAA choirs, and the optional instrumental parts give you flexibility for rehearsal or performance.

What to expect

Bright, dance-like energy propels this madrigal forward with natural rhythmic buoyancy. The text setting feels conversational and lively, with melodic lines that sing easily and invite expressive interpretation without requiring dramatic intensity.

Who it's for

This arrangement works well for intermediate to advanced SSA and SSAA choirs looking to add Renaissance secular repertoire without the complexity of larger or more chromatic works. It's equally suited for contest/festival preparation or for singers developing phrasing and ensemble blend in a historically grounded musical context.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the outer voices carefully; the soprano line carries the primary melody, but the inner parts need clarity to support the harmonic integrity.
Shape phrases through vowel consistency and legit singing rather than dramatic dynamic swells; let the text rhythm and word stress guide your phrasing.
If using the optional piano part, keep it light and transparent so the voices remain the focal point.
Pay attention to the sectional breaks and cadences; Renaissance madrigals often have distinct sections that benefit from slight temporal breathing even in a cappella performance.

How to use it

Program this as a standalone concert piece that lifts the energy of a set, or pair it with other Renaissance secular works to build a historically cohesive program section. It also works well as a contest selection where its musicality and accessibility appeal to both judges and audiences.