Sanctus: SATB Choral Octavo

Brian Lewis writes choral music that challenges without overwhelming. The mixed-meter sections here demand real musicianship from your singers, but the opening phrase in 7/8 is singable enough that ensembles feel confident immediately, which is the mark of a skilled composer. The "Benedictus" andante gives you that reflective moment every strong sacred work needs.

The opening gesture feels modern and liturgical at once, propelled by its unusual meter. As harmonic and rhythmic layers build, the music becomes increasingly intricate, then releases into a warm, introspective moment with the "Benedictus" text. It's a work that feels both immediate and rewarding on repeated hearing.

Choirs with solid rhythmic literacy and a director comfortable teaching mixed meters. This octavo works for high school, college, and adult choirs seeking contemporary sacred music that feels substantial without requiring extreme ranges or technical demands.

• Establish the 7/8 opening with a steady tempo before rehearsals begin; conductors often find it helpful to feel it as 4+3 or 3+4 depending on Lewis's phrasing, so decide early which subdivision serves your ensemble best.
• In the mixed-meter sections, sing through without stopping during early rehearsals to feel how the rhythmic changes actually flow, rather than parsing each measure individually.
• Shape the andante "Benedictus" with dynamic restraint; the lushness comes from blend and line, not volume.

Program this as a centerpiece for a sacred or contemporary choral concert, where it can stand alongside both classical liturgical settings and newer works. Its 24 pages and moderate difficulty make it suitable for festival appearances or a concert devoted to American choral composition.

• Reading and performing in 7/8 meter with confidence
• Navigating mixed-meter transitions (7/8 to 3/4 and other combinations)
• Maintaining rhythmic independence across voice parts in complex meters
• Blend and balance in four-part writing with modern harmonic language
• Expression and line shaping in sustained, lyrical passages