The Celtic Choir: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00280068
$75.00
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Description
The soaring beauty of traditional folk music and Gaelic-inspired original songs permeates this collection with fresh sounds and expressive words. From lilting dance-like songs of praise to noble hymn tunes that encourage and motivate, this gathering of sacred songs provides a great variety of styles, tempos and usages. Decorated with optional acoustic instruments and driven by well-crafted piano parts, these anthems are designed to work for choirs of any size. Catch the wave of enthusiasm for this ancient, musical culture and bring a refreshing spirit of worship into your ministry! Songs include: "Celtic Praise Song; In the
Valley Flows a River; The Master Has Come; A Celtic Hosanna; Come to the Upper Room; Here is Love; Celtic Alleluia; Not I, But Christ; A Celtic Blessing."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00280068
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and earned his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he later taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department. His career spans solo recitals, symphony collaborations (including a performance with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra following his win of the Nina Plant Wideman Competition), and extensive work in church music settings across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Martin's compositions have reached audiences from Carnegie Hall to regional theaters and countless worship spaces. Based in Austin, Texas, he continues balancing concert performance with a prolific output of sacred and secular music that reflects his deep engagement with both classical training and congregational worship traditions.
Why we love this
Martin crafts sacred music that feels both rooted in tradition and immediately accessible to mixed-ability choirs. The collection balances textural variety (from lilting praise songs to grounded hymn tunes) with instrumental flexibility, so you're not locked into a single sonic palette across the nine pieces. The well-developed piano writing carries enough character on its own to support singers who are still building confidence.
What to expect
These songs carry the open, resonant quality of folk music, with melodies that feel both singable and emotionally direct. The Gaelic influence brings an unhurried quality to phrasing, inviting singers to shape phrases generously rather than rushing toward harmonic cadences.
Who it's for
Volunteer and semi-professional church choirs seeking a cohesive collection that works across worship contexts without demanding advanced vocal technique. Directors who want to program Easter or seasonal services with variety in style and instrumentation will find this particularly useful.
How to get the most out of it
- Explore the optional instrumental parts early in rehearsal to determine which ones enhance your acoustic. Even if you lack the listed instruments, knowing what textures Martin imagined will shape your interpretation of dynamics and phrasing.
- Treat the piano as a full ensemble partner, not merely accompaniment. Martin's keyboard writing often contains melodic material that supports choir entries and clarifies harmonic progressions.
- Vary your approach to the tempo markings across pieces. The dance-like songs need rhythmic lift, while the hymn tunes benefit from deliberate pacing that allows the text to land.
- Program the collection thematically rather than sequentially. Pairing pieces from different moods and tempos within your service keeps listeners engaged across the nine selections.
How to use it
This collection works beautifully as a thematic Easter or spring service where you can build a narrative arc across the nine pieces, moving from praise to blessing to hope. Alternatively, extract individual anthems for monthly worship, using the piano and optional instrumentation to refresh your sonic palette without adding rehearsal burden.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with legato phrasing in syllabic folk melodies
- Blend and balance when optional instruments are added or removed
- Responsiveness to keyboard cues and harmonic movement
- Interpretation of text in both contemporary and traditional language