We Are Made For Praise: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin / Arranged by Stan Pethel
Item: 35-PK00138417
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Description
From the opening chords of the hymn, When Morning Gilds the Skies, this powerful ballad reaches into the heart of the worshipper with a powerful reminder of our calling to be people of alleluia and children of praise. This anthem builds and builds to an impressive climax delivering a sure message of commitment and service. Stan Pethel's orchestrations are an outstanding option. Powerful! Duration: ca. 4:08.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00138417
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and later earned his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. His concert career has taken him across the United States and Mexico, including performances with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra as winner of the Nina Plant Wideman Competition and a nationally broadcast recital from a historic Mexican venue.
Though Martin continues performing as a concert pianist, his recent focus has shifted toward church music and conferences for church musicians. His compositions and arrangements now reach audiences in spaces ranging from Carnegie Hall to worship services across North America, reflecting both the breadth of his musical training and his commitment to sacred music.
Why we love this
Stan Pethel's orchestrations elevate this anthem into something genuinely impressive, providing instrumental texture that supports rather than overwhelms the choral writing. The strategic use of When Morning Gilds the Skies as a thematic anchor gives singers and players a familiar touchstone while Martin's harmonic language pushes beyond typical hymn-based arrangements. For directors seeking a strong closing statement that builds with conviction, this delivers both musical substance and meaningful text.
What to expect
The opening carries the reverent, measured quality of a beloved hymn before the arrangement gradually pulls listeners into something more expansive and celebratory. As layers build, the music takes on urgency and joy, moving from contemplation into declaration. By the climax, the piece radiates conviction about calling and purpose.
Who it's for
This works well for church choirs with instrumental support, particularly those comfortable with contemporary sacred arrangements that draw on hymn traditions. The four-minute duration and moderate difficulty make it accessible to semi-professional and volunteer ensembles looking for meaningful content with liturgical depth.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choral writing carefully against the orchestra during the opening section so the familiar hymn tune emerges clearly before the new material begins to layer in.
- Shape the buildup toward the climax with attention to dynamic increments rather than sudden shifts; this piece works best when the intensity feels inevitable rather than abrupt.
- Allow the orchestra to breathe during passages where the choir sustains longer phrases, preventing the accompaniment from rushing ahead.
How to use it
Position this as an anthem within a service centered on praise and commitment, or as the substantive choral work on a concert that includes other contemporary sacred pieces. The length and emotional arc make it equally effective as a standalone concert finale or as part of a longer liturgical sequence focused on worship themes.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing choral and instrumental textures in ensemble settings
- Sustaining dynamic control through extended phrase structures
- Interpreting hymn-based material within expanded harmonic contexts
- Responding to gradual textural and dynamic buildup as an interpretive tool