SATB a cappella (2024)

Tune Lasst Uns Erfreuen

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This setting of the well-loved hymn tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN was composed for the debut performance of my newly formed choir, Evergreen Ensemble, in April of 2023. Our inaugural concert was centered on climate and creation care, and I knew I wanted to include a setting of All Creatures of Our God and King, which has always been a favorite hymn of mine. As I perused the options available I didn't find anything that felt quite like the “right fit.” I had recently come across this lovely adaptation of the text by Sr. Miriam Therese Winter that uses more inclusive language, but could not find any choral arrangements of her version. Ultimately I decided to try my hand at creating my own arrangement, starting with inspiration from a simple and minimalist style of folk/pop accompaniment that makes use of a pedal or ostinato pitch played as a pulse, and then playing chord changes around it. I sat at the piano and accompanied myself with chord voicings I liked, humming the melody as I played, and the music began to emerge. From there I continued connecting the music to this evocative text, and then tried to write something that I thought I and others would genuinely enjoy singing. I was pleased to find that I ended up with a piece that I think embodies the joy and gratitude that I feel exist at the heart of these words —David Hendrix

David Hendrix is a conductor, singer, and composer who lives and works in the Seattle area. His entry into the world of composing and arranging was born out of a desire to set lesser-known hymn texts, or in some cases updated versions of texts, for his own choirs. In particular, finding lyrics that help move sacred music towards more inclusive language for a wider community of singers and listeners has been a priority in his early work. He is honored to now have his first published piece, To You, O God, All Creatures Sing through Artefact. Outside of his composing, David serves as the Director of Music and Worship at Edmonds United Methodist Church in Edmonds, WA, and is the Founder and Artistic Director of Evergreen Ensemble, a professional choral ensemble based out of the Pacific Northwest. He is also a freelance singer, having most recently appeared in concert and on recordings with Cappella Romana, Byrd Ensemble, The Saint Tikhon Choir, The Benedict Sixteen Choir, the Tudor Choir, and Artefact Ensemble. He lives in Edmonds, WA with his wife, Sarah, and his twin boys, Forest and Alden.