'Tis So Sweet: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Heather Sorenson / By Stan Pethel
Item: 35-PK00166091
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Description
There is a timeless quality to the message of this well-known hymn text and when lifted from the pages of the hymnal and placed in this new musical framework it becomes an expressive testimony of faith to the grace of the Savior. Rich melodic lines and luxurious harmonies move the anthem into the listener's heart with a sacred word of assurance.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00166091
More about this title
About the Composer: Heather Sorenson
Based in Dallas, Heather Sorenson has established herself as a composer and arranger whose work spans churches, universities, concert halls, and competition stages globally. Her background as a concert pianist informs everything she writes; that foundation shows in the depth and sophistication of her orchestrations and her ability to write idiomatically for virtually any ensemble.
What sets Sorenson apart is her fluency across both traditional and contemporary sacred music. She moves between these worlds without compromise, often blending them into something distinctly her own. Her commissions have come from major institutions including Texas A&M University and Carnegie Hall, and she regularly leads sessions at worship conferences and universities as a guest conductor and clinician. When not composing or traveling to guest conduct, she dedicates herself to benefit concerts supporting causes she believes in.
Why we love this
Sorenson takes a beloved hymn text and reimagines it through sophisticated harmonies and melodic writing that respects the familiar while offering something fresh. The orchestral accompaniment isn't decorative; it carries the emotional weight of the message, making this arrangement feel like a complete artistic statement rather than a simple choral setting. Directors who program this will find their singers invested in music that demands real musicianship while remaining accessible.
What to expect
Stepping into this arrangement feels like entering a space where faith becomes tangible through music. The melodic lines unfold with grace, supported by harmonies that shift and deepen, creating moments of genuine emotional resonance. There's an assurance in the sound, a sense that something true is being said.
Who it's for
This arrangement works for choirs with intermediate to advanced singers who can handle Sorenson's rich harmonic language. It's equally at home in church services, concert settings, or both, and rewards ensembles with access to orchestral musicians.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choir against the orchestral parts carefully during sectional rehearsals. The richness of Sorenson's harmonies can disappear if the orchestra overshadows the voices.
- Shape the melodic lines with attention to the text. This arrangement's expressive quality depends on singers understanding exactly what they're singing about and where the phrases naturally breathe.
- Use tempo flexibility sparingly. The luxurious harmonies suggest allowing a slight give in tempo at cadences, but excessive rubato will muddy the clarity of the voices and parts.
- Ensure string players understand the support role the orchestra provides. This isn't a concerto with orchestral soloists; it's an accompaniment designed to enhance and amplify the choir's testimony.
How to use it
This piece anchors a sacred concert or worship service with real substance; it can open or close a program with equal impact. Consider pairing it with simpler hymn settings or contemporary pieces to showcase Sorenson's sophisticated approach to familiar texts.
Skills your students will build
- Singing sustained melodic lines over moving harmonic accompaniment
- Balancing blend and intonation within rich vertical sonorities
- Expressive phrasing guided by text and harmonic movement
- Coordinating with orchestral musicians to maintain unified interpretation