O Magnum Mysterium

Description

Soprano, Alto, Bass — O Magnum Mysterium is a setting of a Latin sacred text written for Christmas. The text depicts the extraordinary occurring among the ordinary: God coming to earth as a tiny baby, animals in a lowly stable being the first to witness his arrival. Adding dynamic contrast (crescendo/decrescendo) on every phrase and singing legato (smoothly) with a gentle choral tone will reflect the wonder and awe that the original text and this setting attempt to communicate.Original Latin Text: English Translation:O magnum mysterium, O great mystery,Et admirabile sacramentum, And wonderful sacrament, Ut animalia viderunt That animals should see Dominum natum the newborn Lordjacentem in praesepio. Lying in a manger.O magnum mysterium. Amen. O great mystery. Amen.General Latin Pronunciation Guidelines:1. There are only five pure vowel sounds in Latin:A = AHxa0 xa0 xa0 E=EHxa0 xa0 xa0 I = EExa0 xa0 xa0 O = AWxa0 xa0 xa0 U = OO2. Strive to flip all R’s as if singing in Italian.Latin Pronunciation (accented syllables are UPPER CASE):oh MAH-nyoom mee-STEHR-yoom,*eht ahd-mee-RAH-bee-leh sah-krah-MEHN-toom, oot ah-nee-MAH-lee-ah vee-DEHR-oont DAW-mee-noom NAH-toom,yah-CHEHN-tehm een preh-SEH-pee-aw.aw MAH-nyoom mee-STEHR-yoom. AH-mehn.*The word “mysterium” in this piece is a three-syllable rather than a four-syllable word. This can be accomplished by pronouncing the last syllable “ium” as “yoom” rather than “ee-oom”.About the ComposerEvan Ramos is the assistant choir director at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Music Education at SMU. An avid composer/arranger, his choral music has been performed at conventions, colleges, and schools across the United States. O Magnum Mysterium was initially written for the Rice Middle School Varsity Men and the Parkhill Junior High Tenor Bass Choir. O Magnum Mysterium was also the “Best Overall” winner at the 2015 TMEA College Division Composition Competition. Absolutely beautiful for mixed a cappella voices, this setting of the beloved Latin text "O Magnum Mysterium" is not to be overlooked. Simple, elegant, and haunting, it is a lovely addition to any concert or festival program, sure to showcase mixed ensembles in fine style. Also available for TTB Voices (BL919) and SSA Voices (BL1002).

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