Sanctus: SATB Choral Octavo

Lewis writes with deep understanding of what singers can accomplish while staying musically ambitious. The mixed meters and rhythmic variety here feel organic rather than imposed, and the shift into the lush andante on "Benedictus" provides genuine emotional payoff. This is contemporary choral writing that respects both the text and the voices singing it.

The opening draws you in with an immediately singable melodic idea, even in its unusual meter. From there, the piece builds rhythmic intrigue through carefully placed challenges, then opens into a serene, reflective space that feels earned rather than sentimental.

SATB choirs with some rhythmic literacy and a director ready to spend rehearsal time on contemporary meters. This works equally well for high school choirs seeking concert repertoire and collegiate groups looking for accessible yet substantial sacred music.

• Establish the 7/8 meter early in rehearsal by conducting it with emphasis on the primary pulse. Once singers feel secure in the opening phrase, the rhythmic sections that follow become navigable.
• Balance the rhythmically interesting sections by isolating each voice part separately before combining. The complexity comes from the interaction, not from individual lines.
• Shape the andante section with sustained breath support and consistent vibrato control. The contrast with earlier material depends on the singers sinking into the longer note values.
• Let the text inform phrasing throughout. Latin pronunciation remains consistent while the meter and harmonic rhythm shift around it.

Position this as a concert centerpiece that showcases your choir's rhythmic sophistication without alienating your audience. It pairs well with traditional Latin sacred works on the same program, creating a dialogue between established choral literature and contemporary composition.

• Reading and performing 7/8 meter with secure pulse
• Navigating mixed meter sections (7/8, 4/4, 3/4) within a single piece
• Maintaining text clarity across rhythmically complex passages
• Sustaining phrase shape and vibrato control in slower harmonic contexts