Sacred Harmony

Sacred Harmony
Composed by Cherise D. Leiter
for Flute Choir
Published by LeiterLieder Publishing
Includes score and parts

Instrumentation:
Piccolo
5 Flutes
Alto Flute
Bass Flute (optional)

       Sacred Harmony, for flute choir (piccolo, 5 flutes, alto flute, and optional bass flute), utilizes source material found in the shape-note collections Sacred Harp and Southern Harmony, compiled in the 1800s, as well as one original tune composed in the same style. In ternary form, the piece owes much of its harmonic inspiration to the quartal and quintal styles of the shape-note hymns, combined with the more pentatonic elements of the melodies. The five pre-existing tunes in order of appearance are:
 Azmon (O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing), Cheerful, David's Lamentation, Resignation, and Invitation (Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal). The original tune composed in the same style makes its appearance throughout the piece, and is entitled “Devinney” after the street on which the composer resides. In some cases the shape-note melodies are stated in their entirety, such as the opening “Azmon” and the closing 'Invitation;' while in others – most notably with 'David's Lamentation' which uses the notes corresponding to the words “O my son” – only small fragments of the tunes are used.
       Several extended techniques are used in the slow section: harmonics, overblowing to harmonics while executing a tremolo, and singing while playing.