About the piece
A carol in four voices announcing the birth of the Saviour. The edition, 56 measures in 6/8, carries soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
How to prepare it
The 6/8 meter is felt in two long beats of three eighth notes, not in six: rehearse it with that sway and avoid accenting every eighth. The voices move in moderate ranges (sopranos D4–D5 (an octave), altos D4–B4 (a major sixth), tenors D3–D4 (an octave), basses D3–D4 (an octave)). Learn each line separately and then in pairs; make sure the inner voices (alto and tenor) can be heard clearly. With beginning choirs, it can be worked first in two groups.
When to use it
A piece for Christmas, suitable as an entrance chant or a communion chant.