Yesu Ulale - Swahili Christmas Lullaby for Choir
I'm reaching back to Christmas of 1996. I wrote this mass choir piece as a student. The text and melody are from the Swahili hymn book, Tumshangilie Mungu. I imagined a lullaby growing as shepherds arrived at the stable. It starts almost chant-like with a call and response. then it grows in texture with a structured, round-like counterpoint which may seem almost aleatory to the listener.
Perhaps this is more "college choir" in style than what most church choirs would use. The two-choir split and harmonies, while not overly complex, might not work with a smaller ensemble (16 minimum, better with 32+)
SATB with double choir split and soloist
I hope you enjoy it!