Holy, Holy, Holy

Dr. Randy Lind, the Director of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, contacted me about creating a new arrangement of “Holy, Holy, Holy” for congregation with orchestra. I asked him specifically about style; whether he would like an arrangement that started with a bold, brass fanfare or if he preferred something quieter. He said he definitely wanted the bold, brass fanfare.

So I started there. 

The arrangement uses all of the varying textures of the orchestra to create the mood of each verse. The first two verses are in the same key, the third verse is a half step higher, and the last verse is a half step higher. The reason I wanted to utilize the key changes was so that the arrangement would build and become a constant crescendo from the first verse to the last. This was also accomplished by the orchestra becoming more full as the arrangement progressed.

This is a hymn that was not often sung at my church growing up. The congregation music of First Baptist Jacksonville was largely Gospel hymns and songs. It’s only been in later years that I have begun to rediscover many of the great hymns of our faith.

I wanted to amplify the majesty of this great, classic hymn with this arrangement, and I believe that is what I accomplished.