Gloria (Sing It Round)

An original setting of the opening of the Latin Gloria, written for children's, youth and beginning choirs. The tune is three short phrases over one chord pattern, so it works as a round: the choir learns one melody and then sings it in canon, in harmony, and finally with an optional part above it.

Verse one is in unison; verse two is the round, altos leading. “Gratias agimus tibi” brings a second melody built up voice by voice, a quiet “Qui tollis” bridge builds to a key change, and the last verse adds the optional descant before a broad unison ending.

• Every voice part stays inside one octave, with no leap larger than a fourth
• The piano plays every note the singers sing
• Page of words, a say-it-like-this pronunciation guide and line-by-line translation
• For concerts, a prelude or anthem at a service, or any season: the Gloria is sung all year