The Runner's Song: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00225178
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Description
This commissioned anthem was written in memory of a runner who made an impact on the community of faith in which he participated. The composer wrote words that were specific to this work but also represented a larger truth to all believers. Finding Scriptures that enabled this perspective, he crafted an anthem that tonally paints the effect of running the good race and even soaring with victory.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00225178
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and later earned a master's degree in piano from the University of Texas at Austin, where he subsequently taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. A competition winner and concert pianist who has performed with symphony orchestras across the United States and Mexico, Martin has grounded his prolific compositional career in the life of the church, channeling his classical training into works heard in everything from Carnegie Hall to countless worship services across North America.
Martin's output spans an impressive range of styles and contexts. His compositions and arrangements have reached audiences in concert halls, regional theatres, and worship spaces alike, earning him a reputation for inventive variety. He continues to perform and compose from his home in Austin, Texas.
Why we love this
Martin captures the metaphor of faithfulness as a race with genuine musical substance rather than sentiment. The orchestral writing honors both the contemplative moments and the soaring victory implied by Scripture, making this anthem resonate with congregations who understand perseverance as a spiritual discipline. Programming this work signals to your singers and audience that faith anthems can be musically ambitious.
What to expect
The Runner's Song balances forward momentum with moments of reflection, musically embodying the tension between struggle and triumph. You'll hear Martin's gift for setting text unfold as the anthem builds from contemplation toward a sense of achievement and grace, with the orchestra painting the landscape of this spiritual journey.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking an anthem with genuine substance for worship or concert settings will find this work rewarding. The piece speaks to congregations and audiences familiar with faith narratives while offering musicians a chance to engage with sophisticated compositional craftsmanship. This is ideal for choirs with access to orchestral accompaniment or for ensembles comfortable with instrumental backing tracks.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize clarity in the text painting around "running the good race." Martin's compositional language should tell the story without forcing dynamics; trust the writing to do the work.
- Balance the choir and orchestra carefully during the anthem's more expansive moments. The orchestral support should enhance rather than overwhelm the message of the text.
- Prepare your singers for tonal shifts that reflect the movement from journey to victory. These transitions anchor the anthem's larger emotional arc and require secure ensemble cohesion.
How to use it
This anthem works beautifully in a worship service during seasons focused on perseverance or commitment. As a concert piece, it pairs naturally with other faith-based choral works or as a centerpiece in a program exploring the relationship between sacred text and musical narrative.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and sustaining long phrase lines with consistent breath support
- Understanding text as a primary driver of musical shape and dynamics
- Balancing choral tone with orchestral timbre
- Interpreting compositional metaphor through musical expression