Worship (from These Ancient Words): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Heather Sorenson
Item: 35-PK01686148
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Description
Now available as a stand-alone anthem, "Worship" is the exhilarating fifth movement of These Ancient Words by Heather Sorenson. Inspired by Psalm 96, this joyful and exuberant choral work is driven by dynamic mixed meters, offering the perfect balance of singability and musical challenge. With options for piano or chamber orchestral accompaniment, "Worship" is an idea selection for both worship services and concert settings, inviting choirs and congregations into a powerful celebration of praise.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01686148
More about this title
About the Composer: Heather Sorenson
Heather Sorenson has built a reputation as a composer and arranger whose work spans both traditional and contemporary sacred music. Based in Dallas, she has earned commissions from major institutions including Texas A&M University, the Kennedy Foundation, and Carnegie Hall, while her compositions are performed regularly in churches, schools, and concert halls worldwide.
Beyond her prolific writing career, Sorenson has shaped music education directly through teaching positions at Grace Academy of Dallas and Baylor University, along with frequent master class instruction in piano and composition. She remains active as a guest conductor and speaker at worship conferences and universities across the country, combining her dual expertise in musical composition and pedagogical mentorship.
Why we love this
Sorenson's gift for writing music that feels both liturgically substantial and immediately singable shines in this movement. The mixed meter writing never feels academic or forced; instead, it propels the text forward with genuine exuberance while remaining accessible to a broad range of choir skill levels. Offering both piano and orchestral accompaniment options gives you real flexibility in how and where you program this, whether you're leading a Sunday service or curating a concert.
What to expect
Exuberant and propulsive. The mixed meters drive forward momentum while the harmonic language remains transparent enough that singers feel supported rather than adrift. It's the kind of piece that energizes both singers and listeners in the moment and lingers in their minds afterward.
Who it's for
Any choir looking for a genuinely uplifting anthem that doesn't sacrifice musical substance for accessibility. This works equally well in worship contexts where congregations sing along and in concert settings where choirs showcase Psalm 96 as a standalone work.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the mixed meters breathe naturally rather than fighting them mechanically. The rhythmic vitality comes from singers feeling the pulse within each meter rather than mechanically subdividing.
- Balance the joyful character against over-bright vowels. This music celebrates, but it needs warmth and resonance underneath to avoid sounding thin at climactic moments.
- Invest in the orchestral accompaniment if your resources allow. The instrumental part amplifies the exuberance and gives singers the harmonic support that makes the mixed meters feel confident rather than tentative.
How to use it
Pair this with other selections from These Ancient Words if you're programming a full liturgical series, or stand it alone as a powerful closing number for a service focused on praise and thanksgiving. The celebration of Psalm 96 makes it particularly fitting for Advent or New Year services when joy and anticipation dominate the theological mood.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing mixed meters (4/4 and 3/4 alternating patterns)
- Maintaining ensemble precision during rhythmic complexity
- Singing sustained lines while rhythmic accompaniment creates forward momentum
- Balancing textural clarity in homophonic and contrapuntal sections