Magnificat for a High School Choir
  • beckyhoper
    Posts: 2
    Dear All,

    I am looking for a Magnificat for my high school students.

    What are some of your favorite settings?

    My students are comfortable with chant, polyphony, and SATB choral singing. I am limited in teaching time, so anything too complex would be difficult to do well.

    Thank you in advance.

    In Christ,
    Becky Hopersberger
  • OMagnumMysterium
    Posts: 374
    We really enjoyed singing this setting by Dalitz for second Vespers of Pentecost this year:

    https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Magnificat_alternatim_trium_vocum_(Christoph_Dalitz)

    We chose the mode one setting to match the Antiphon. We did the TTB version, with the men splitting between the two bottom parts and one strong Alto covering the top part. Dalitz is very kind with his ranges; they are not as expansive as some rennesaince pieces in a similar style (and his length is a bit more consise, which the Priests appreciated; they didn't have to wait long after the incensing). He has a variety of other Magnificats that you can find on CPDL too.
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 3,032
    I've heard the Davis High School do a spectacular job with Arvo Pärt's Magnificat. My parish choir sings Gibbons & Tomkins 1st Service.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,851
    The Lassus Magnificat Octavi Toni is approachable. It’s in the Parish Book of Motets.
  • CGM
    Posts: 836
    There's a lovely, relatively simple setting by Australian composer Clifford Boyd that I rescued from Archive.org (see the bottom of the score's first page). File attached.
    Magnificat_Boyd_SATB.pdf
    286K
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen StimsonInRehab
  • beckyhoper
    Posts: 2
    Thank you!
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 3,404
    Dyson from his evening service in c minor. It’s unison and jolly good fun to sing. Needs a decent organ(ist) though.

    https://youtu.be/LqqhCpuIoos?is=AC8OYVk4bvr9D9Rv
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 900
    Becky,

    Two settings we’ve sung with the St. Mary’s Choir in Akron, Ohio, come to mind that might fit your high school ensemble well:

    Grand Magnificat in C by Vincent Novello

    This is a wonderful, rewarding SATB choral piece. It has a grand, festive presence without being overly complex, making it accessible to learn efficiently within limited rehearsal time. You can listen to St. Mary's Choir sing this piece here: https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/st-marys-choir/

    Magnificat VIII (Op. 17, No. 5) by Ciro Grassi

    If you want something rooted in chant style, this is a great choice. It is based on the Latin Magnificat in Tone VIII and alternates chant-like structure with rich harmony. It’s effective, solemn, and quick for students comfortable with chant and basic polyphony to pick up. Men sang the top line and the choir sang the bottom notes.

    Both offer a great balance between quality liturgical art and manageable learning curves for high schoolers.
    Grand Magnificat in C - Novello - 1894.pdf
    604K
    Magnificat_new2.jpg
    1650 x 778 - 125K
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen oldhymns
Add a Comment