The Holy Child of Mary (Consort): Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK01259871
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Description
A creative paring of two beloved seasonal carol melodies forms the foundation of this anthem. Lively and graceful, the music dances to an original text that celebrates the divine gift of grace. A fantastic choice for Christmas Eve or post-holiday worship gatherings. Score and Parts for Chamber Orchestra (fl 1-2, ob, cl 1-2, hn 1-2, perc, hp, pno, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) and Consort (fl, perc, pno, vn, vc) each available as a digital download.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01259871
More about this title
About the Arranger: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin combines rigorous training in piano performance with decades of experience serving the church music community. A North Carolina native, he studied piano performance at Furman University before earning his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he later taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department. His performance credentials include solo recitals across the United States and Mexico, a featured appearance with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra, and a nationally broadcast recital from Ex-convento del Carman.
Martin's compositional voice has found homes in unexpected places, from Carnegie Hall to worship services in hundreds of congregations across North America. While his early career emphasized concert performance, he has increasingly focused his talents on creating music for church musicians and ensembles. He continues to live in Austin, Texas with his family.
Why we love this
Martin's gift for interweaving melodic material shines in this pairing of two familiar carols. The arrangement respects both the inherent charm of the source melodies and the consort instrumentation, creating something that feels fresh without losing its seasonal warmth. Its graceful, dance-like quality makes it equally at home in a Christmas Eve service or a more contemplative post-holiday gathering.
What to expect
The music dances with grace, pairing familiar melodic warmth with elegant orchestral color. There's a lightness throughout, even as the arrangement honors the spiritual weight of its text about divine grace. The result feels both timeless and contemporary in its sensibility.
Who it's for
Choirs with access to chamber orchestra or consort instrumentation will find this arrangement approachable yet musically substantial. It works well for groups seeking something celebratory but not overly elaborate for Christmas Eve services or winter concerts held after the holiday itself.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the consort's reduced instrumentation by keeping the choir's dynamics responsive rather than pushed. The intimacy of the arrangement depends on clarity, not volume.
- Pay attention to the interplay between the two carol melodies. Highlight which one the orchestra is carrying at any given moment so the harmonic foundation stays transparent.
- Work the text celebration of grace into your rehearsal from the start. The original words deserve attention to phrasing and meaning, not just note accuracy.
- Leverage the percussion line for rhythmic buoyancy without letting it overshadow the vocal line. The lively character emerges from precision and lightness together.
How to use it
Consider this as a centerpiece for a post-holiday worship service or concert, where it can stand comfortably on its own without competing for attention. The consort scoring makes it feasible for churches with volunteer orchestral players or music students available in late December. Its moderate technical demands and clear melodic foundation also make it suitable for holiday services where rehearsal time has been limited.
Skills your students will build
- Blending instrumental and vocal lines in ensemble texture
- Sustaining legit vocal tone while maintaining rhythmic precision with orchestral accompaniment
- Interpreting and communicating text-driven musical expression
- Responding to two interrelated melodic lines as harmonic architecture
- Balancing dynamic sensitivity in smaller chamber configurations