Title: O Come, O Come Emmanuel $1.65 Performance Requirements: SAB chorus Composer: Ben J. Legett Text: Traditional Length: 3'10" Difficulty (1-5): 3 Range: sop d1-e2, alto a -g2, baritone G - e1 Usage: Advent
Rehearsal Guide: This is an appropriate selection for a good choir that happens to be short on men. The rather independent nature of the vocal lines and the innovative harmonization of the second refrain make this piece sound more like SATB than SAB.
The first verse is pretty simple with the exception of the "Rejoice" refrain which shifts from 2/2 into 3/4. Teach this section and immediately go to measure 42 and teach the contrasting refrain. Now go to the second verse with its new melody and let the sopranos learn it. Combine with the alto and baritone parts. Verse three (measure 52) has the baritones singing what was the alto line in measure 2, so go over the first 15 measures again and compare them with measures 52 through 65. The singers should recognize the final refrain, although it has a few changes at the end.