Description

Fun, cheerful and easy-to-learn treatment of the text ‘Beneath Thy Protection’ (Greek: Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν; Latin: Sub tuum praesidium), the oldest preserved hymn to the Virgin Mary, based on a 3-part canon for upper voices with unison lower voice accompaniment, leading to a merry homophonic coda.  Short and sweet, this simple little setting is ideal for aural learning, singing for fun, and swift memorisation. An enjoyable learning process is as integral an aspect of this piece as the end result – the 3-part round can be learned by all voices, upper and lower, in octaves, before the simple accompaniment and short coda are added. On its own, the canon section is ideal for warm-ups, workshop exercises, and children’s choirs etc., and as part of the full arrangement, forms a miniature but complete performance piece.

Crucial Info

Forces: SSABar
Duration: c. 2′
Text: Beneath Thy Protection (Sub tuum praesidium)
Date of composition: 2017
Publisher: University of York Music Press

Score

Available from the University of York Music Press.

Text

I fly to Thy protection,
O Mary, O Mary,
O Mother of God;
Do not despise us in our petitions,
O Mary, O Mary,
Do not disdain us in our necessities,
O Mother of God,
But deliver from all danger,
Glorious Blessed One.
Amen.