for mixed voices (SATB with divisi) a cappella
Text: Latin
Duration: c3 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5

Composer’s note
Tantum Ergo should have a chant-like feel especially on the repeated pitches. Keep the tempo flexible to enable effective contrast in dynamics and a sustained sound throughout. The accompaniment may be used to fill out the sound and texture, but should always be blending with the voices in terms of dynamics.

Text
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Præstet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.

Amen

Therefore only the Sacrament
We will worship heads bowed:
And let the old practice
Give way to the new rite:
Let faith be ready to supplement
For the deficiency of the senses.

Amen

Will Todd
English composer and performer Will Todd is well known for his beautiful and exciting music, encompassing choral works large and small, opera, musical theatre and orchestral pieces, as well as jazz compositions and chamber works. Best known for his choral music, his Mass in Blue has been performed hundreds of times by choirs all around the world. Notable smaller works for choir include the anthem The Lord is my shepherd, available for both upper and mixed voices, and his arrangement of Amazing Grace, which was performed at President Obama’s Inauguration Day prayer service and as part of the BBC’s Nelson Mandela Thanksgiving Service. He has collaborated with award winning choirs The Sixteen and Tenebrae, as well as with the BBC Singers, The Bach Choir, St Martin’s Voices, the Genesis Foundation and major orchestras and opera companies. Will’s music continues to be in demand by performers amateur and professional, and he enjoys a busy international schedule of commissions, performances and conducting appearances.