Choral Work
EBC
Ladies Christmas Chorus
December, 2023 Coconut Creek, Florida
1.
Dona Nobis Pacem
Dona Nobis Pacem, Latin meaning, “Grant us peace.”
​
No one knows who wrote this beautiful tune. Some think it was Palestrina, the great Italian Renaissance composer who pretty much invented our understanding of a cappella (Latin for “of the manner of the chapel”) music. Some think Mozart… Others think it’s too simple for either of those men, and suspect it is an old folk tune. In any case, it’s beautiful, and was certainly written in Europe.
​
The words "dona nobis pacem" have long been included in the Catholic mass, but in the form of this melody, it is mostly known as a Christmas song, with its prayer for peace. It is a wonderful skill builder as a “round,” teaching the ear to listen to one's own group and not be thrown by another...but it is so pretty I think it is performance worthy.
​
Use the tracks below to learn each part, (by the way, there is no "soprano" or "alto" parts to this song, but 3 segments that we will all sing in a round) careful to learn by listening as well as reading your music. Even if you "can’t read music," (you can, by the way - you just don't realize it) you can follow along and see the notes going up and down; observing which notes are held longer and which notes are shorter…
pronounced: DOH-nah NOH-beece PAH-chem
Dona Nobis Pacem - entire song, all 3 parts
2.
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
NOTE: if printing at home, you must print on both sides of the paper.
Here is the entire song, for listening/practice (instrumental only):
Individual parts below...
Our first rehearsal, for those that missed...
2.
Easter Choir
MCC
April, 2022 Mendon, Massachusetts
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
1.
video below has all four parts:
2.
Wondrous Love
Click the title to listen to all four voices sing: