OMPOSED FOR the Boston City Singers, Sing a New Song is based on Psalm 98, reflective of last week’s Responsorial psalm and this Sunday’s Introit. It is a very simple setting for SSA choir with a simple organ accompaniment. It easily learned in a rehearsal or two. A simple harmonization of the melody alternates with a three part canon of the same melody, ending with a rhythmic and step-wise descant.
Free Download:
PDF • “Sing a New Song” (SSA with Organ)
As a guest choir, the Boston City Singers recently sang this piece at St. Cecilia Parish in Boston. But more importantly, this secular organization beautifully models the evangelization we must do in our churches and faith communities (from their website):
Directed by founder, Jane Money, the Boston City Singers was founded in 1995 as a response to budget cuts in music education in the public schools. They provide outstanding music training opportunities to low and moderate income inner-city youth in the communities in which they live. With eight different programs, the students who sing with BCS range in age from four years to eighteen years old.
Eighty percent of the students who sing with BCS live in Boston’s urban neighborhoods. Boston City Singers’ vision is to provide the highest level of musical training and wide–ranging performance opportunities to young people, to inspire personal development, celebrate diversity, and foster goodwill within our city and surrounding towns. As advocates for the performing arts, BCS see themselves as partners with the local community and ambassadors to the world. Through their gift of song, the members of the BCS develop a lifelong love of music and the heart to live in a world of differences.
This is a wonderful example of action taken to better our communities, backed by a long-term commitment! This is what we must do to strengthen our prayer and strengthen our faith communities.
