This Is Our Time for Singing: PianoTrax Digital Download

Liebergen's arrangement captures the buoyant, conversational spirit of Renaissance vocal writing while opening it to modern choral ensembles. The SAB voicing with optional flute and hand drum creates flexibility for different group sizes and performance spaces, and the inclusion of PianoTrax accompaniment means your singers have reliable, engaging harmonic support without requiring a full piano accompanist.

Bright, conversational, and thoroughly alive. The counterpoint dances between voice parts with an almost dance-like quality, and the text feels integrated into the musical fabric rather than imposed upon it. There's a sense of voices in dialogue, trading ideas and creating small moments of wit and warmth.

This arrangement suits mixed choirs at the high school and community college level, as well as advanced middle school ensembles with secure vocal blend and basic Renaissance music literacy. Directors seeking Renaissance repertoire that isn't overly serious will find this a refreshing choice that demonstrates the secular vocal traditions Vecchi helped define.

• Balance the optional flute and hand drum so they enhance rather than overshadow the voices; these instruments work best as textural punctuation rather than continuous accompaniment.
• Encourage singers to shape phrases around text rhythms rather than metered bar lines; Renaissance secular music thrives when articulation follows the natural speech patterns of the language.
• Use the PianoTrax accompaniment for rehearsal with volume flexible enough to gradually reduce it as ensemble confidence grows, aiming toward independent vocal blend in performance.

Program this as a contrasting moment in a concert centered on sacred choral music, or pair it with other Renaissance secular works to showcase the theatrical, humanistic traditions of that era. Its modest demands and approachable character make it ideal for early-in-the-season programming when building ensemble confidence and intonation.

• Renaissance polyphonic singing with independent voice lines
• Text expression and phrase shaping in secular vocal music
• Ensemble balance when adding optional instrumental parts
• Sight-reading in SAB voicing and moderate Renaissance textures