I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
RBM-012
SATB Chorus with Orchestral or Piano Accompaniment

 
This arrangement of the famous Christmas carol was commissioned by Baylor University to serve as the opening number of a PBS Holiday program spotlighting musicians from students and faculty of that institution. This setting begins with a brassy orchestral introduction, after which ensues a development of 3 verses from the carol (text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow).

The music is neo-Baroque in character and uses the same text as the very well-known chorus of the same name from Messiah by G. F. Händel. Choral lyricism is alternated with fanfare-like statements to give a balanced and satisfying rendering of the famous Biblical utterance.