Music for Lay Clerks

Contents:

Asperges me
Missa in Feria
Kyrie
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
De profundis
In omnem terram
Jubilate Deo
Miserere mei
Si ambulem
Spiritus Domini
Surge, Domine
Vidi aquam
O Babe, born bare
O Crux, ave
There is no rose

This booklet brings together a number of pieces, written over several years, for lay clerks, choral scholars, and other small vocal ensembles. It was conceived primarily for liturgical use and the bulk of the collection, including a simple Mass setting and nine motets, is for ATB. The opening ‘Asperges me’ and the closing three motets are for combinations of lower voices—tenors and basses. The texts range over several themes: joy, sorrow, repentance and praise and are suitable for everyday use as well as special occasions. The music covers a wide range of human responses to the majesty and mystery of Christian worship and ritual, and can be performed in concert settings as well as the Divine Office. Many of these pieces were written for the choral scholars of Leeds Cathedral and, in particular, the Changing Voices group with whom I worked over a number of years. Voces Mutantur, as I named them, were frequently the first to sing through these pieces, and it is to them that I dedicate this collection.

—John Duggan, Easter 2021