Monarch Music
10/3349M, SATB with opt. flute, $2.65
Date released: 2005

Jazz meets Gregorian chant in this delightful new setting of the familiar French carol! Hayes begins traditionally enough with an imitative chant-like introduction of the melody in each voice part, developing into homophonic, chordal writing. As the choir sings “keep silence” in open 5ths, the rhythm section enters in a gentle jazz waltz feel featuring a solo flute. The smooth harmonies and simple unison writing in the choral parts complement the accompaniment very well. Hayes brings the arrangement to a close as the choir repeats the phrase “keep silence” and the instruments fade away. This is a very dynamic arrangement even though the dynamic levels rarely go above mezzo forte. Use it to showcase your choir’s ability to sing softly. The solo flute part is included in the back of the octavo.