AGNUS DEI *MITHREE-PART MIXED
AGNUS DEI
Three-Part Mixed, accompanied
Music by
SANDRA HOWARD
ALSO AVAILABLE
Accompaniment Track on BLCDOOT3
Range: I c-c1(f')
I
I c-c'
~n F-d
Language: English
Characteristics: Polyphony, fugal entrances,
dynamic contrasts, rubato, beautiful
melody
Use: Contestlfestival, general, sacred
Time: Approx. 2:45
"Difficulty: Moderate
Performance Notes
Agnus Dei is the fifth section of the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Mass. Besides being
set many times in the composed settings of the Ordinary, the Agnus Dei has also been
singled out and set many times by itself. The final line of the Agnus Dei, dona nobis pacem
(grant us peace) works well for closing sacred services or for ending concerts.
This setting of the Agnus Dei is lyrical and lush. It should be sung with a warm, rich tone
quality. Work for a unified vowel sound. The ranges are very modest, so you can work also
for good vocal control throughout the range of the song. At measure 7, the young male
voices have what might be called an interjection. Voice parts I and 1 are finishing up their
1
musical thought and the boys interject Miserere nobis. This should be sung quite softly but
with intensity. Because of where it lies in your vocal range you will have to sing it lightly.
Think on top of the pitch before you sing. Don't try to force or muscle your way up to the
pitch. Later, at measure 11, voice part 1 has the same effect, but the pitch lies in the middle
1
of the vocal range here and does not present the challenge the first interjection offers. It
may help if you pucker your lips a bit when you sing miserere. That technique may help put
the tone in your head, rather than in the throat.
Sing melodically throughout, as if each part has a melody. There are many repeated tones,
so be sure those stay in tune by thinking each one in succession a little higher. No tone
should sit still. Either crescendo or decrescendo, increase intensity or decrease intensity
through the musical line.
At measure 21 you begin to reach for the climax of the work. Crescendo to measure 27.
Sing forcefully,but do not oversing your ears. Be sure you can hear everyhng that is going
on around you.
At the end, die away to nothing. If you run out of tone, leave your mouth open until your
director signals you to "sing" the final "m" sound. After the release, stand very still. Let the
audience "savor" this work to the very end. Be aware that an aesthetic experience is
possible with this work.
Pronunciation
Ah - nyoos Deh - ee, kwee taw - lees peh - kah - tah moon - dee:
mee - seh - reh - reh naw - bees.
daw - nah naw - bees pah - chem.
Translation
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Grant us peace.
AGNUS DEI
Three-Part Mixed, accompanied
Music by SANDRA HOWARD
Gently (J = 72)
A
A - gnus De - i, qui- to1 - lis pec - ca - ta-
(Mi - se - re - re no - bis) A - gnus De - i,
O 2001 BriLee Music Publishing Co.
Al Rights Reserved
l Printed in U.S.A.
4
mun - di.
11 to1 - lis pec-ca - ta- mun - di.
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t- mun - di.
11 no - bis) Qui to1 - lis pec - ca - ta mun - di:
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BriLee Music Publishing Co.
PO Box 210829
Nashville, TN 3722 1-0829