The Ground (Vocal Score)
from Sunrise Mass
By Ola Gjeilo

Written by one of today's best choral composers, this piece is beautiful, moving, simple and soaring. It was easily learned and performed well by our choir of just 12 voices.

The City is beyond the difficulty of any piece I have ever performed. The difficulty lies in: 1 conversational Latin text that is not common in other Latin songs, 2 wordy chants at a quick tempo, 3 forceful dynamic markings that push you to new extremes if done right, 4...

heavy staccato (like punching your gut), 5 breath support, and 6 let me reiterate the difficulty of that chant! With four days of six hour rehearsals, we spent 80% of it on The City. It is the most beautiful piece I have ever performed and it is my pride and joy. The fourth movement is The Identity and the Ground. It is a beautiful resolution. Probably easier than Spheres. It's a cool drink of water and a beautiful resolution. It was several peoples' favorite movement. Overall the Sunrise Mass is a wonderful set. It's difficulty is among the expert ranking, but it is very rewarding. Just performing the text feels like a spiritual journey because of how physically demanding it is. Sore muscles if done right!! My favorit

This is the fourth movement of Sunrise Mass. The description failed to tell you what it is about. This is a Latin piece. The Sunrise Mass is about the creation of the Universe and a spiritual journey. The first piece, Kyrie, is a very difficult movement due to breath support...

. It pulls long phrases on the same note in various dynamic motions. As the sopranos fade out one syllable of a word, the tenors pick up the second part starting from the same dynamic level and with the same tone. Amazing. You will see the music build as more parts are introduced. This is the creation of the universe. In the second movement, Spheres, the universe becomes completed. It is the piece I remember the least. I believe it was not that difficult, so I didn't spend much time on it. I'd rate it 3/5 difficulty. The third movement, oh let me tell you about the third movement! It is amazing! The title of the movement is The City. It is a war between angels and demons to claim humans' souls. (To be continued)