Glory Bound

Surname	Name
Freeburg	Paule Freeburg, DC
Walker	Christopher Walker

Praise for octavos contained in the collection Glory Bound: Praise God from Morning to Evening:

"The Lord's Prayer"

This setting of the Lord's Prayer is fresh, easily sung by the choir and congregation, and very suitable for liturgical use. The piece is a chant (without meter) containing bar lines to organize the musical material more clearly. Extended harmonies such as seventh, ninth, and thirteenth chords add color and freshness to this familiar text, as do the stacking of quartal and quintal harmonies through¼out the arrangement. The piece is very suitable for liturgical use: Walker skillfully unites the music and natural word stress of the text. In addition, the homorhythmic structure adds a sense of forward motion while allowing the singer the opportunity to internalize the text being prayed. The melody is easily sung as it lies in a very comfortable range for the congregation (B-flat3 to C5; the tessitura is only D4 to B-flat4) and moves mainly in stepwise motion. Intervals of a third are also com¼mon. Similarly; the choral harmonies are also accessible and can be replaced by a keyboard if a choir is not available. The embolism, containing the same harmonic material as the prayer itself, can be sung by the priest with the choir humming underneath (or the keyboard sustaining the harmonies)."

--Rachelle Kramer, Pastoral Music

"You Are My Hope"
This meditative and brief piece may be sung at moments of dedication, discipleship, commitment, celebrations of taking vows, RCIA celebrations, and Taize-style services. The text, written by Paule Freeburg, states our unfailing trust in Jesus, emphasizing the text, "I live for you." The phrases are well written in an arch-like contour, building each time and ascending melodically to the climax until it must descend and decrescendo. This happens with ease and beauty. Additionally, there is diversity and richness in the harmony as Walker shifts the tonality from B-flat major (beginning key) to E-flat major (ending key). Although it does not sound like a clear modulation to the listener, the appearance of A-flats makes clear the presence of this modulation. Walker skillfully and subtly shifts back to B-flat major as the basses descend in stepwise motion to land on an A natural and set up the diminished seventh chord in B-flat major at a key phrase ending. This creates a surprising and lush moment. After repeating back to the beginning, the piece ends with full, rich chords that both inspire and move the listener. This accessible piece may be sung in unison by the assembly with accompaniment or by the choir alone, accompanied or unaccompanied."

--Rachelle Kramer, Pastoral Music

"Praise, O Praise the Lord"
In this composition, Walker uses the familiar text of Psalm 150 to express the praise of God through many instruments. This rhythmic piece is entirely call-and-response with alternating refrain and verses. It requires a tenor or soprano soloist; a soprano and alto could also sing the solo when it occasion¼ally splits into two-part harmony. All of the phrases, whether sung by soloist or choir, are short and require rhythmic precision and marcato singing on the many accents that occur in order to attain the overall effect of the piece. Percussion is added halfway through the refrain, which provides variety and a nice build. The song concludes with an eight-measure coda that immediately drops to mezzo piano in order to crescendo to the end. The harmonies thicken in texture with each short phrase as unexpected rhythmic changes add excitement to the resounding conclusion. Although harmonically quite repetitive and simple, the quick, syncopated rhythms along with the call-and-response and percussion background make this piece exciting and an "easy sell" to your choir. The choral parts are not particularly difficult, although the bass range is a bit high (E3-C-sharp 4). This piece is appropriate for joyful occasions—particularly during the season of Easter—and can be sung as a prelude, postlude, or song during the preparation of the gifts."

--Rachelle Kramer, Pastoral Music