Hymns Re-Harmonized

SKU: PR.16500100F

ISBN 9781491114421. UPC: 680160669783. 9 x 12 inches.

Commissione d for a consortium of high school and college bands in the north Dallas region, FOR THEMYSTIC HARMONY is a 10-minute inspirational work in homage to Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon,patrons of the Fort Worth Symphony and the Van Cliburn Competition. Welcher draws melodic flavorfrom five American hymns, spirituals, and folk tunes of the 19th century. The last of these sources toappear is the hymn tune For the Beauty of the Earth, whose third stanza is the quatrain: “For the joy of earand eye, For the heart and mind’s delight, For the mystic harmony, Linking sense to sound and sight,”giving rise to the work’s title.
This work, commissioned for a consortium of high school bands in the north Dallas area, is my fifteenth maturework for wind ensemble (not counting transcriptions). When I asked Todd Dixon, the band director whospearheaded this project, what kind of a work he most wanted, he first said “something that’s basically slow,” butwanted to leave the details to me. During a long subsequent conversation, he mentioned that his grandparents,Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon, were prime supporters of the Fort Worth Symphony, going so far as to purchase anumber of high quality instruments for that orchestra. This intrigued me, so I asked more about his grandparentsand was provided an 80-page biographical sketch. Reading that article, including a long section about theirdevotion to supporting a young man through the rigors of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition fora number of years, moved me very much. Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon weren’t just supporters of the arts; theywere passionate lovers of music and musicians. I determined to make this work a testament to that love, and tothe religious faith that sustained them both. The idea of using extant hymns was also suggested by Todd Dixon,and this 10-minute work is the result.I have employed existing melodies in several works, delving into certain kinds of religious music more than a fewtimes. In seeking new sounds, new ways of harmonizing old tunes, and the contrapuntal overlaying of one tunewith another, I was able to make works like ZION (using 19th-century Revivalist hymns) and LABORING SONGS(using Shaker melodies) reflect the spirit of the composers who created these melodies, without sounding likepastiches or medleys. I determined to do the same with this new work, with the added problem of employingmelodies that were more familiar. I chose five tunes from the 19th century: hymns, spirituals, and folk-tunes.Some of these are known by differing titles, but they all appear in hymnals of various Christian denominations(with various titles and texts). My idea was to employ the tunes without altering their notes, instead using aconstantly modulating sense of harmony — sometimes leading to polytonal harmonizations of what are normallysimple four-chord hymns.The work begins and ends with a repeated chime on the note C: a reminder of steeples, white clapboard churchesin the country, and small church organs. Beginning with a Mixolydian folk tune of Caribbean origin presentedtwice with layered entrances, the work starts with a feeling of mystery and gentle sorrow. It proceeds, after along transition, into a second hymn that is sometimes connected to the sea (hence the sensation of water andwaves throughout it). This tune, by John B. Dykes (1823-1876), is a bit more chromatic and “shifty” than mosthymn-tunes, so I chose to play with the constant sensation of modulation even more than the original does. Atthe climax, the familiar spiritual “Were you there?” takes over, with a double-time polytonal feeling propelling itforward at “Sometimes it causes me to tremble.”Trumpets in counterpoint raise the temperature, and the tempo as well, leading the music into a third tune (ofunknown provenance, though it appears with different texts in various hymnals) that is presented in a sprightlymanner. Bassoons introduce the melody, but it is quickly taken up by other instruments over three “verses,”cons tantly growing in orchestration and volume. A mysterious second tune, unrelated to this one, interrupts it inall three verses, sending the melody into unknown regions.The final melody is “For the Beauty of the Earth.” This tune by Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) is commonly sung atThanksgiving — the perfect choice to end this work celebrating two people known for their generosity.Keeping the sense of constant modulation that has been present throughout, I chose to present this hymn in threegrowing verses, but with a twist: every four bars, the “key” of the hymn seems to shift — until the “Lord of all, toThee we praise” melody bursts out in a surprising compound meter. This, as it turns out, was the “mystery tune”heard earlier in the piece. After an Ivesian, almost polytonal climax, the Coda begins over a long B( pedal. At first,it seems to be a restatement of the first two phrases of “For the Beauty” with long spaces between them, but it soonchanges to a series of “Amen” cadences, widely separated by range and color. These, too, do not conform to anykey, but instead overlay each other in ways that are unpredictable but strangely comforting.The third verse of “For the Beauty of the Earth” contains this quatrain:“For the joy of ear and eye, –For the heart and mind’s delightFor the mystic harmonyLinking sense to sound and sight”and it was from this poetry that I drew the title for the present work. It is my hope that audiences and performerswill find within it a sense of grace: more than a little familiar, but also quite new and unexpected.

SKU: PR.165001000

ISBN 9781491129241. UPC: 680160669776. 9 x 12 inches.

Commissione d for a consortium of high school and college bands in the north Dallas region, FOR THEMYSTIC HARMONY is a 10-minute inspirational work in homage to Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon,patrons of the Fort Worth Symphony and the Van Cliburn Competition. Welcher draws melodic flavorfrom five American hymns, spirituals, and folk tunes of the 19th century. The last of these sources toappear is the hymn tune For the Beauty of the Earth, whose third stanza is the quatrain: “For the joy of earand eye, For the heart and mind’s delight, For the mystic harmony, Linking sense to sound and sight,”giving rise to the work’s title.
This work, commissioned for a consortium of high school bands in the north Dallas area, is my fifteenth maturework for wind ensemble (not counting transcriptions). When I asked Todd Dixon, the band director whospearheaded this project, what kind of a work he most wanted, he first said “something that’s basically slow,” butwanted to leave the details to me. During a long subsequent conversation, he mentioned that his grandparents,Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon, were prime supporters of the Fort Worth Symphony, going so far as to purchase anumber of high quality instruments for that orchestra. This intrigued me, so I asked more about his grandparentsand was provided an 80-page biographical sketch. Reading that article, including a long section about theirdevotion to supporting a young man through the rigors of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition fora number of years, moved me very much. Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon weren’t just supporters of the arts; theywere passionate lovers of music and musicians. I determined to make this work a testament to that love, and tothe religious faith that sustained them both. The idea of using extant hymns was also suggested by Todd Dixon,and this 10-minute work is the result.I have employed existing melodies in several works, delving into certain kinds of religious music more than a fewtimes. In seeking new sounds, new ways of harmonizing old tunes, and the contrapuntal overlaying of one tunewith another, I was able to make works like ZION (using 19th-century Revivalist hymns) and LABORING SONGS(using Shaker melodies) reflect the spirit of the composers who created these melodies, without sounding likepastiches or medleys. I determined to do the same with this new work, with the added problem of employingmelodies that were more familiar. I chose five tunes from the 19th century: hymns, spirituals, and folk-tunes.Some of these are known by differing titles, but they all appear in hymnals of various Christian denominations(with various titles and texts). My idea was to employ the tunes without altering their notes, instead using aconstantly modulating sense of harmony — sometimes leading to polytonal harmonizations of what are normallysimple four-chord hymns.The work begins and ends with a repeated chime on the note C: a reminder of steeples, white clapboard churchesin the country, and small church organs. Beginning with a Mixolydian folk tune of Caribbean origin presentedtwice with layered entrances, the work starts with a feeling of mystery and gentle sorrow. It proceeds, after along transition, into a second hymn that is sometimes connected to the sea (hence the sensation of water andwaves throughout it). This tune, by John B. Dykes (1823-1876), is a bit more chromatic and “shifty” than mosthymn-tunes, so I chose to play with the constant sensation of modulation even more than the original does. Atthe climax, the familiar spiritual “Were you there?” takes over, with a double-time polytonal feeling propelling itforward at “Sometimes it causes me to tremble.”Trumpets in counterpoint raise the temperature, and the tempo as well, leading the music into a third tune (ofunknown provenance, though it appears with different texts in various hymnals) that is presented in a sprightlymanner. Bassoons introduce the melody, but it is quickly taken up by other instruments over three “verses,”cons tantly growing in orchestration and volume. A mysterious second tune, unrelated to this one, interrupts it inall three verses, sending the melody into unknown regions.The final melody is “For the Beauty of the Earth.” This tune by Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) is commonly sung atThanksgiving — the perfect choice to end this work celebrating two people known for their generosity.Keeping the sense of constant modulation that has been present throughout, I chose to present this hymn in threegrowing verses, but with a twist: every four bars, the “key” of the hymn seems to shift — until the “Lord of all, toThee we praise” melody bursts out in a surprising compound meter. This, as it turns out, was the “mystery tune”heard earlier in the piece. After an Ivesian, almost polytonal climax, the Coda begins over a long B( pedal. At first,it seems to be a restatement of the first two phrases of “For the Beauty” with long spaces between them, but it soonchanges to a series of “Amen” cadences, widely separated by range and color. These, too, do not conform to anykey, but instead overlay each other in ways that are unpredictable but strangely comforting.The third verse of “For the Beauty of the Earth” contains this quatrain:“For the joy of ear and eye, –For the heart and mind’s delightFor the mystic harmonyLinking sense to sound and sight”and it was from this poetry that I drew the title for the present work. It is my hope that audiences and performerswill find within it a sense of grace: more than a little familiar, but also quite new and unexpected.

SKU: GI.G-9405

UPC: 785147940531. English.

Our best-selling resource at NPM 2017! Revival is a long overdue resource that provides fresh accessible arrangements of classic hymns for contemporary ensembles. Each arrangement is scored for SAB choir, piano, guitar, and optional instrumental parts. For added texture, the final stanza of each hymn includes an alternate harmonization of the accompaniment with a soprano descant. These fourteen arrangements will open a whole new set of treasured hymns to piano and guitar based ensembles. Compatible with the versions founds in GIA’s most recent hymnals, each of these arrangements is intended to support and inspire the sung prayer of the assembly. Every one will find a comfortable home in your repertoire throughout the liturgical year! A special spiral bound edition of Revival is also available. This edition is perfect for accompanists who would also like to use these hymn arrangements as preludes, interludes, or postludes. Collections like Revival are not simply a way for contemporary ensembles to plant deeper roots and tap into more traditional repertoires. It is a way for all of us to hear old hymns with new ears, in a new way. --Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Associate Professor of Theology at St. John's Abbey Quote from Pray Tell Blog. Click here to read full article Tony Alonso’s Revival offers us fourteen wonderfully arranged familiar hymns—musically accessible and a delight to sing. Flexibly crafted for voices, piano and guitar with lovely optional descants, this is an ecumenical gift and bridge-builder between classical and contemporary approaches to hymns in the liturgy. It should be in every parish’s working library. --Don Saliers, Professor of Theology and Worship at the Candler School of Theology In his new collection, Revival, Tony Alonso marks the 500th anniversary of a great divide in the church by bridging the chasm between Catholic and Protestant, contemporary and traditional, Appalachian and European. His arrangements for voices, piano, and guitar—with options for using other instruments as well—allow for improvisation and adaptation while remaining accessible for a wide range of musicians. Although these hymns are designed to be used by contemporary ensembles, they lend themselves to use in a variety of worshiping contexts. Alonso's arrangements will entice you to sing along--Revival is a great gift to the whole church! --Kimberly Bracken Long, Editor of Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, & the Arts Tony Alonso’s, Revival, is an invaluable resource to help find common ground among “contemporary� � and “traditional” choirs and ensembles by making hymnody approachable to those who may have shied away from it for stylistic reasons. It is also a great educational tool for organists and pianists who are seeking ways to improve their improvisatory keyboard skills by modeling accompaniment styles and improvisatory patterns that support and enhance the singing of traditional hymns. ​--​Dominic Trumfio, Associate Director of Worship Music at Old St. Patrick's Church, Chicago.

SKU: GI.G-9538INST

UPC: 785147953890.

  Revival is a long overdue resource that provides fresh accessible arrangements of classic hymns for contemporary ensembles. Each arrangement is scored for SAB choir, piano, guitar, and optional instrumental parts. For added texture, the final stanza of each hymn includes an alternate harmonization of the accompaniment with a soprano descant. These fourteen arrangements will open a whole new set of treasured hymns to piano and guitar based ensembles. Compatible with the versions founds in GIA’s most recent hymnals, each of these arrangements is intended to support and inspire the sung prayer of the assembly. Every one will find a comfortable home in your repertoire throughout the liturgical year! A special spiral bound edition of Revival is also available. This edition is perfect for accompanists who would also like to use these hymn arrangements as preludes, interludes, or postludes.   Collections like Revival are not simply a way for contemporary ensembles to plant deeper roots and tap into more traditional repertoires. It is a way for all of us to hear old hymns with new ears, in a new way. --Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Associate Professor of Theology at St. John's Abbey Quote from Pray Tell Blog. Click here to read full article Tony Alonso’s Revival offers us fourteen wonderfully arranged familiar hymns—musically accessible and a delight to sing. Flexibly crafted for voices, piano and guitar with lovely optional descants, this is an ecumenical gift and bridge-builder between classical and contemporary approaches to hymns in the liturgy. It should be in every parish’s working library. --Don Saliers, Professor of Theology and Worship at the Candler School of Theology In his new collection, Revival, Tony Alonso marks the 500th anniversary of a great divide in the church by bridging the chasm between Catholic and Protestant, contemporary and traditional, Appalachian and European. His arrangements for voices, piano, and guitar—with options for using other instruments as well—allow for improvisation and adaptation while remaining accessible for a wide range of musicians. Although these hymns are designed to be used by contemporary ensembles, they lend themselves to use in a variety of worshiping contexts. Alonso's arrangements will entice you to sing along--Revival is a great gift to the whole church! --Kimberly Bracken Long, Editor of Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, & the Arts Tony Alonso’s, Revival, is an invaluable resource to help find common ground among “contemporary� � and “traditional” choirs and ensembles by making hymnody approachable to those who may have shied away from it for stylistic reasons. It is also a great educational tool for organists and pianists who are seeking ways to improve their improvisatory keyboard skills by modeling accompaniment styles and improvisatory patterns that support and enhance the singing of traditional hymns. ​--​Dominic Trumfio, Associate Director of Worship Music at Old St. Patrick's Church, Chicago.

SKU: HL.322548

UPC: 888680974879. 5.0x5.0x0.151 inches. Arr. Jon Paige/Brad Nix. Hebrews 10:22, I Corinthians 15:57, Romans 8:37.

One of the most requested hymns of the faith is the latest addition to this popular series. Flowing with confidence and power, this solid selection will add meaning to any worship gathering. Crafted to invigorate congregational singing, the choir provides the bookends and a freely harmonized second stanza creates an unforgettable corporate worship experience. An instant classic! Score and Parts (tpt 1-2, tbn 1-2, timp) available as a digital download. Part for Handbells (3 oct.) also available as a digital download.

SKU: HL.292712

UPC: 888680931346. 5.0x5.0x0.196 inches. Arr. Brad Nix/Jon Paige. Hebrews 10:22, I Corinthians 15:57, Romans 8:37.

One of the most requested hymns of the faith is the latest addition to this popular series. Flowing with confidence and power, this solid selection will add meaning to any worship gathering. Crafted to invigorate congregational singing, the choir provides the bookends and a freely harmonized second stanza creates an unforgettable corporate worship experience. An instant classic! Score and Parts (tpt 1-2, tbn 1-2, tmp) available as a digital download. Part for Handbells (3 oct.) also available as a digital download.

SKU: GI.G-10430

UPC: 785147043034.

** This is the music collection consisting of individual octavos shrinkwrapped together.   The third volume in this popular series, Revival III features arrangements of fourteen familiar Christmas carols for contemporary ensembles. Christmas carols, like many traditional hymns, are often arranged for four-part choir and organ. With this collection, Tony Alonso focuses instead on the needs of the piano- or guitar-based ensemble, creating accessible carol arrangements for SAB voices, piano, and guitar. Also included is an optional alternate harmonization for the final stanza of each piece featuring a soprano descant. Although these arrangements can be utilized as choral anthems, they are truly intended to lead and inspire congregational song. They are compatible with the texts found in GIA’s hymnals and yet can be edited easily to agree with the version of the carol most familiar to the assembly. CONTENTS: Angels We Have Heard on High (G-10431) • Away in a Manger (G-10432) • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (G-10434) • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (G-10435)  • We Three Kings of Orient Are (G-10443) • O Little Town of Bethlehem (G-10439) • Joy to the World (G-10436) • Once in Royal David’s City (G-10440) • What Child Is This? (G-10444) • O Come, All Ye Faithful (G-10437) • The First Nowell (G-10442) • O Come, O Come Emmanuel (G-10438) • Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (G-10433) • Silent Night (G-10441).

SKU: GI.G-10430INST

UPC: 785147043096.

** This is the spiral-bound edition for instruments other than keyboard and guitar.   The third volume in this popular series, Revival III features arrangements of fourteen familiar Christmas carols for contemporary ensembles. Christmas carols, like many traditional hymns, are often arranged for four-part choir and organ. With this collection, Tony Alonso focuses instead on the needs of the piano- or guitar-based ensemble, creating accessible carol arrangements for SAB voices, piano, and guitar. Also included is an optional alternate harmonization for the final stanza of each piece featuring a soprano descant. Although these arrangements can be utilized as choral anthems, they are truly intended to lead and inspire congregational song. They are compatible with the texts found in GIA’s hymnals and yet can be edited easily to agree with the version of the carol most familiar to the assembly. CONTENTS: Angels We Have Heard on High (G-10431) • Away in a Manger (G-10432) • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (G-10434) • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (G-10435)  • We Three Kings of Orient Are (G-10443) • O Little Town of Bethlehem (G-10439) • Joy to the World (G-10436) • Once in Royal David’s City (G-10440) • What Child Is This? (G-10444) • O Come, All Ye Faithful (G-10437) • The First Nowell (G-10442) • O Come, O Come Emmanuel (G-10438) • Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (G-10433) • Silent Night (G-10441).

SKU: GI.G-10430C

UPC: 785147043003.

** This is the saddle-stitched choral edition for SAB voices.   The third volume in this popular series, Revival III features arrangements of fourteen familiar Christmas carols for contemporary ensembles. Christmas carols, like many traditional hymns, are often arranged for four-part choir and organ. With this collection, Tony Alonso focuses instead on the needs of the piano- or guitar-based ensemble, creating accessible carol arrangements for SAB voices, piano, and guitar. Also included is an optional alternate harmonization for the final stanza of each piece featuring a soprano descant. Although these arrangements can be utilized as choral anthems, they are truly intended to lead and inspire congregational song. They are compatible with the texts found in GIA’s hymnals and yet can be edited easily to agree with the version of the carol most familiar to the assembly. CONTENTS: Angels We Have Heard on High (G-10431) • Away in a Manger (G-10432) • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (G-10434) • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (G-10435)  • We Three Kings of Orient Are (G-10443) • O Little Town of Bethlehem (G-10439) • Joy to the World (G-10436) • Once in Royal David’s City (G-10440) • What Child Is This? (G-10444) • O Come, All Ye Faithful (G-10437) • The First Nowell (G-10442) • O Come, O Come Emmanuel (G-10438) • Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (G-10433) • Silent Night (G-10441).

SKU: GI.G-10430S

UPC: 785147043027.

** This is the complete music collection in a spiral-bound music book format.   The third volume in this popular series, Revival III features arrangements of fourteen familiar Christmas carols for contemporary ensembles. Christmas carols, like many traditional hymns, are often arranged for four-part choir and organ. With this collection, Tony Alonso focuses instead on the needs of the piano- or guitar-based ensemble, creating accessible carol arrangements for SAB voices, piano, and guitar. Also included is an optional alternate harmonization for the final stanza of each piece featuring a soprano descant. Although these arrangements can be utilized as choral anthems, they are truly intended to lead and inspire congregational song. They are compatible with the texts found in GIA’s hymnals and yet can be edited easily to agree with the version of the carol most familiar to the assembly. CONTENTS: Angels We Have Heard on High (G-10431) • Away in a Manger (G-10432) • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (G-10434) • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (G-10435)  • We Three Kings of Orient Are (G-10443) • O Little Town of Bethlehem (G-10439) • Joy to the World (G-10436) • Once in Royal David’s City (G-10440) • What Child Is This? (G-10444) • O Come, All Ye Faithful (G-10437) • The First Nowell (G-10442) • O Come, O Come Emmanuel (G-10438) • Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (G-10433) • Silent Night (G-10441).