Ave Maria (Angelus Domini) - Brass Choir

“Ave Maria” is translated from Latin as “Hail Mary” which is a well-known and popular
prayer (predominantly) in the Catholic faith. This particular version is similar to the “Ave Maria”
or “Hail Mary” heard in the Catholic mass, yet has it’s own twist. In this “Ave”, Mary has a
conversation with the angel Gabriel when he announces that Mary is pregnant with Jesus. Mr.
Beibl composed his own version as an antiphonal men’s choir (two choirs singing at the same
time). The two choirs were two tenors and a baritone or bass voice (TTB) and the traditional two
tenors and two basses/one baritone and one bass voice (TTBB).

About the Piece:
When arranging this piece, I tried to stay true to the original voicing and also tried to
incorporate “mini choirs” within the piece for added color and textural effects. This all starts
with a solo euphonium acting as the original “bass voice” with the rest of the ensemble as the
two antiphonal choirs. Listeners will notice a pattern throughout; solo, choir, solo, choir, solo,
choir. The second solo has a good range for either a baritone or a tenor voice. Again, the main
melodic section the rest of the ensemble plays repeats. Finally, a higher tenor voice solo comes
in. This is featured by a solo French horn. The ensemble repeats the melodic theme one final
time and hen transitions to the final part of the prayer and ends with a series of “amens”.
The ”mini choirs” as mentioned before are represented at the beginning of the second
melodic idea as led by the French horns with brief moments from the low brass acting as its own
choir. The second and third trumpet serve as the lead voices of the ensemble with the first
trumpet acting as a descant voice sitting on top of the ensemble. When ultimately the ensemble
reaches the “amen” section, this should end with a triumphant sounding “amen” as opposed to a
meditative feeling. It should slowly build to the final chord as if one gives thanks to the Lord.

About the Arranger:
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, David is a freelance musician, conductor, teacher, and
composer. He holds the bachelor’s in Contemporary and Popular Music specializing in music
composition from the University of Maine at Augusta having studied under the tutelage of Mr.
John Merhmann, composer in residence. David primarily writes music wind band, orchestra, and
choral settings. He has been commissioned by local high schools, the local university (ULL) and
for professor of euphonium Algirdas Matonis at Seton University (PA). Further, he has written
music for the independent films “Bettles on a Billboard” (CJ Metrejean Productions) and
“Gumbo 2” (Caldwell Winn Productions).
David is also an active performer having performed all over the United States including a
performance at Carnegie Hall, has performed with the Acadian Winds Symphony and Lafayette
Concert Band, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Community Trombone Choir and
Tuba-Euphonium Choir. He is also a tenor vocalist for the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.
David’s profession affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Lafayette Concert Band,
Acadian Wind Symphony, St. John the Evangelist, and MusicMakers2U.

Musicians:
Trumpets - Jacob "JB" Bady, Aaron Watson, Benjamin Day
Horns - Mark Melancon, James "Jim" Price, Sarah Cradeur, Andrea Rivera
Trombones - Brandon Domingue, Trevor Moosa
Bass Trombone - Kaven Johnson
Euphonium - Jonas Johnson
Tuba - Scott Landry

Sound Engineer - Marcus Andre
Recorded at Wave Theory Studios (Lafayette, LA)
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