The Sure Foundation: Choral Instrumental Pak
By John Rippon / By John M. Neale / By Henry T. Smart / Arranged by Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00178210
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Description
Celebrating the strong truths of faith, this rhythmic piece is ideal for both concert and worship. The colorful orchestrations add sizzle for the instrumentalist while the use of the familiar hymn, How Firm a Foundation, draws the audience close. Written in a "Copland-esque" style, this sturdy song is ideal for church heritage or Reformation gatherings.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00178210
More about this title
About the Composer: John Rippon
John Rippon (1751–1836) was a British Baptist minister and hymnodist whose literary contributions shaped congregational singing for generations. Beyond his pastoral work, Rippon compiled and wrote hymn texts that balanced theological depth with singable melodies, making sacred music accessible to ordinary worshippers rather than treating it as the province of trained choirs alone.
Why we love this
Joseph M. Martin's orchestration captures the architectural strength of the hymn without overwhelming it, giving your instrumentalists genuinely interesting material to play while keeping the focus on the text and melody. The Copland-influenced harmonic language feels both contemporary and timeless, making it work equally well in a traditional sanctuary or a concert hall where audiences may not expect a church piece.
What to expect
Sturdy and grounded, with the kind of harmonic generosity you hear in Copland's choral works. There is confidence in the voicing and a sense of earned resolution, as if a familiar truth is being restated with fresh orchestral light falling on it.
Who it's for
This works equally for church music programs seeking substantive anthem repertoire and concert choirs looking to program sacred music with orchestral color. Directors who want their instrumentalists engaged without fragmenting the choir's focus will find the balance here especially valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the organ or piano foundation carefully so that the orchestral colors emerge without drowning out the vocal line; the arrangement's richness can mask intonation issues if the blend gets muddy.
- Let the rhythmic vitality breathe in the sections marked with forward momentum; resist the urge to rush, as the strong pulse already carries the energy.
- Coordinate with your instrumentalists on phrase shaping so that the orchestral punctuations land cleanly without feeling like afterthoughts tacked onto the choir's line.
- Shape the final cadence deliberately; this piece earns its sense of arrival, so take the time to let it resolve fully rather than cutting it off abruptly.
How to use it
Position this as an anchor for a concert or worship service centered on heritage and steadfast faith, or pair it with other hymn-based arrangements to create a thematic arc around congregational song. It also serves well as a festival or competition piece where the orchestration elevates the performing ensemble's capabilities.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing ensemble blend when vocalists share space with active orchestral accompaniment
- Shaping phrase endings in a Copland-influenced harmonic language
- Coordinating rhythmic precision across multiple instrumental lines
- Singing familiar hymn melodies in contemporary harmonic contexts