Op. 9 Come, ye thankful people, come

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“Come, ye thankful people, come” was inspired by the Anglican choral style of David Willcocks and other English church composers. This is evident starting in the two introductory measures, which grow from a single note and immediately introduce the tune. The introductory harmonic language is reused throughout the first verse, which closes with a solo flute soaring above the final note. The solo flute continues its melody in tandem with the tune in the second verse. The third verse features a tenor melody on an English tuba stop while the upper accompanimental voices explore their own melody. After a brief transition to full organ, the final verse features the upper voices in a soaring descant, capitulating on an ascending scale to a high F. The text foreshadows the message of the advent season (“Lord, quickly come… with all thine angels”) while the harmonic and musical drama with the descant paint the text and foreshadow the musical jubilation of Christmas. As an anthem, this setting is quick for a choir of any size to learn, while as a concertato it allows the music director, organist, or even pianist the flexibility to greatly enhance congregational song.