“Sing a Joyful Song unto the Lord” General anthem for SATB voices and piano, with opt. B flat clarinet and tambourine by Dan R. Edwards.

Joy and celebration are experienced immediately from the first measure of this exciting new anthem. You will connect with the traditional Jewish klezmer sounds as demonstrated in the minor tonality, two-hand alternating accompaniment, clarinet and tambourine. Unison voices open the anthem singing praise to God. Parts begin to divide at measure 21with brief echoes moving into ATB writing. Not until measure 37 do you experience a completely divided four-part vocal writing, although brief.

The accompaniment is essential to creating the style of this anthem. The piano part is repetitive requiring percussive energy from the player. The clarinet includes flourishes typical with the style and requiring an accomplished player. The tambourine primarily defines the back beat (beats 2 and 4) requiring a player with steady rhythm. Both the clarinet and tambourine parts are included in the score. Vocal parts are relatively aligned throughout the anthem. The men's part is predominantly unison.

Performance options include omitting the additional instruments. The last section, measures 54 to the end, may be used as a shorter version for a call to worship. An even shorter option is to begin at measure 62 and continue singing to the end.

Appropriate days: general worship.

Age Level 6-8

Difficulty of vocal parts 4

Difficulty of accompaniment 6