for mixed voices (SATB div) a cappella
Text: English (Catherine Lomas)
Duration: c4 minutes
Difficulty: 4/5
Use: General


Composer's note
Encircled was commissioned in 2014 to celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary of my friends Catherine and Julian Lomas. It was first performed by the chamber choir Tenebrae on their album of my music Lux et Veritas (2014). The poem is by Rev Catherine Lomas and it works beautifully set to music – there is a wonderful lyricism to the imagery of the words which cries out for music. Keep the chords as balanced as possible between the parts and aim for a really warm blend at all times. It is important to bring out the 1st bass lines at the end of each section; these lines could be performed by a solo singer, if appropriate.


Recommended recording: Will Todd: Lux et Veritas (Signum SIGCD394) by Tenebrae, conducted by Nigel Short.


Text
Stillness interrupted, kneeling, waiting
for the coming of Your presence.
A melody drifts in, over, on the wind
until the notes rise up in my very soul.


The eyes of my heart see You take Your place,
encircling protection, hand in hand,
all Three in a holy dance, looking in
on me, guarded in divine safety.


Your steps quicken, my heart reaches out,
open to Your indwelling as Your Unity cedes space
to this little one. You call me Your child, and
no longer kneeling, I join Your dance.


We are One.


© 2011 by Catherine Lomas


Will Todd
Will Todd is a UK-based performer and composer whose music spans a variety of styles and genres. Best known for his choral works, he has worked closely with choirs such as The Sixteen and Tenebrae, and his 2003 jazz mass setting Mass in Blue has been performed extensively since its premiere by choirs in the UK, Europe and the USA. Other notable works for choir range from large scale oratorios such as Saint Cuthbert (recorded by the Hallé Orchestra in 2002) to the anthem The Lord is my shepherd, available for both upper and mixed voices with piano or orchestral accompaniment. He has worked on operas and stageworks, most notably in collaboration with Opera Holland Park for whom he wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 2013. A clarinet concerto, written for Emma Johnson, has been performed in the UK, USA and Finland and recorded and broadcast by the BBC Concert Orchestra. As a performer, Will leads his own Will Todd Trio from the piano and regularly directs choir workshops and performances.