Description
Penned for the College Choir at Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky, Gilbert Roller's "The Vision of Isaiah" is an extended choral anthem, based on the text taken from Isaiah 6. The theme of the "Tersanctus", or "Holy, holy, holy" permeates the entire work. From the opening descending thirds to the final section that features the text, "here am I, send me," nearly all is accompanied by choral movement on 'holy, holy, holy". With this theme being almost always present, the backdrop is that our Holy and all-powerful Lord calls each of us to serve.

The texture of this anthem relies heavily upon the use of chordal accompaniment in several voices with melody found in one voice, usually the soprano line. Pages 6-7 feature the tenors as the melodic agent, with chordal work floating above in the treble voices. The only time that "holy, holy, holy" leaves the fabric of this anthem is page 4 through 6. It is in this section that the lower voices sing a constant eighth-note pattern with little harmonic movement. However, this section also contains several step shifts and step-wise motion that require the choral ensemble to be totally in tune with one another. This is an exciting anthem that will afford much challenge, with the final exultation: "here am I, send me!"

Editor's Notes
Scored for SATB with divisi, this extended anthem (preferably a cappella) will require much seamless singing, therefore excellent breath control and staggered singing must be emphasized. Balance is also a problem that must be corrected, so that the accompanying voices do not overshadow the melodic line—for it is the melodic line that usually carries the textual weight as well. One should work the stresses of the melodic lines so that the words flow with a natural ease.

User License
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