Composer: Jennifer J. DurhamDetailsFormat: Treble VoicesVoicing: SSAAccompaniment: keyboardInstrumentation: pianoNotation: standardPerformance Length: 5:25 Study Scores & Audio FilesStudy Score & Audio Order Printed ScoresPublisher: Swirly MusicOrder site / Alternate source of score: jjd30295@gmail.com Texts & TranslationsLanguage(s): LatinText Source: Medieval LatinText: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.Translation: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen. Programming AidsPerformance Difficulty: moderateSeasonal Usage: Memorial ServicesDescriptive Terms: prayerVirgin MarypeaceAllow Excerpts: Composition is a single movementComposer’s Notes: I was asked by the director of a local college to write a new setting to the standard Ave Maria text for her SSA vocal ensemble. I spent several days at Cedar Key, FL, watching the water and feeling the rhythm of the waves, and the melody came fairly easily. I felt the need to create a setting in a minor key, which is different from the most famous settings. This traditional text, which is really a prayer, felt more contemplative and repentent in a minor key. The accompaniment is meant to support the singers while still having its own voice. Additional InformationDate of Completion: March, 2017Date of First Performance: Thursday, April 27, 2017Premier Performance Data: Gordon State College Vocal Ensemble (Joan Thomas, cond), Fine Arts Auditorium, Barnesville, GA 30204
