Susan Naus Dengler brings a distinctive voice to sacred choral music, blending contemporary sensibilities with reverent text setting. Her work as both composer and arranger reflects a deep understanding of what makes choral music singable, accessible, and spiritually resonant for diverse ensembles.
Why we love this
Dengler's arrangement captures the exuberant spirit of Psalm 148 without sacrificing musical substance. The pop idiom keeps energy high and engagement genuine, making this piece work equally well in traditional worship settings or contemporary concert programs where you need joyful, singable music that doesn't talk down to singers or audiences.
What to expect
Bright and affirmative, with the warmth of a psalm transformed through a modern harmonic lens. The piece radiates genuine joy without sentimentality, inviting singers and listeners into honest celebration of gratitude and praise.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for intermediate to advanced choirs seeking repertoire that bridges sacred and contemporary styles. It suits worship settings, concert programs, or festival performances where you want music that feels current and spirited while honoring its scriptural foundation.
How to get the most out of it
Emphasize the text clarity in the pop-influenced passages; crisp consonants and energetic vowel shapes make the 'gladness' feel earned rather than imposed.
Balance the sacred character with the contemporary idiom by anchoring sustained moments and letting the rhythmic sections breathe naturally without overdriving them.
Use dynamics to shape the arc across just two pages. Strategic builds and releases prevent the piece from sitting at one energy level throughout.
How to use it
Pair this with a more traditional sacred work to open a concert that explores how faith-based music evolves across styles, or feature it as the closer to a program where you want to send the audience out uplifted. The two-page format makes it an excellent encore or standalone moment in a service.
Skills your students will build
Singing in contemporary pop harmonic language within a sacred context
Clarity and precision with text in rhythmically active passages
Dynamic shaping across a compact musical form
Balancing accessibility with musical integrity
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