An art song for string orchestra (grade 4) and choir based on Lottie Brown Allen’s poem, Christmas Tide (©1920, now in public domain).
Inspired by Lottie Brown Allen’s poem Christmastide, this art song for SATB choir and string orchestra challenges us to cease for a moment and seek the profound beauty of Christ’s abiding presence among us. The libretto follows the shepherds from their flickering fires beneath a starlit sky to their breathless wonder of witnessing heaven’s greatest gift. With modern harmonies and a tapestry of melody sharing and counterpoint, ChristmasTide grows and erupts in a final descant of soaring vocals and string textures. Set hearts aglow with ChristmasTide, a fresh sound and renewed mystery for your audiences this Christmas season.
Lead Commissioner: Neal Springer
Libretto
Verses:
Turn ye away from your hearth fires bright,
Women and men of the world, tonight;
Cease for a moment, your jest and mirth,
Hark to the message of “Peace on Earth”.
Join ye the shepherds who watch their sheep
Tending their fires lest they fall asleep;
Under the arch of the star-lit sky,
Hear ye, the “Glory to God on High”.
Take just a glimpse of the heavenly throng
Joyously chanting the glad, new song.
Out of the midst of those realms of light,
Know that your Savior is born tonight.
Refrain:
Join ye the angels
Worship the King of Kings!
Join ye the shepherds
With heaven’s army sing!
Bridge:
Come let us see what heaven bestows to us
By mercy’s hand, lifting transgressions woe
Come let us see what heaven bestows to us
Child, Eternal King born to deliver us
The Saviour of all, we’ve come to abide
Won’t You set our heart aglow this Christmastide?
— Christmas Tide by Lottie Brown Allen,
additional lyrics by David Michael Hyde
Package Details
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- ~6 minute duration
- Grade 4 difficulty
- Brief soloistic passages for cello
- Optional Harp
- PDF Score and parts with perpetual license
- 45-minute Zoom session meet-n-greet/run-through with composer
- Co-premiere performance promoted on composer’s website and social media
- Credit on score to all co-premiere performing groups for all perpetuity
Package Entitlements
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- Co-premiere music performance for orchestra and choir (December 2025-26)
- PDF Score and parts with perpetual license
- 45-minute Zoom session meet-n-greet/run-through with composer
- Concert performance promotion on composer’s website and social media
- Co-premiere credit on score for all perpetuity
- Co-premiere music performance for orchestra and choir (December 2025-26)
Milestones
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- Consortium enrollment period*……………………….. March-August 2025
- Director progress review ……………………………….. September 2025
- Composition complete ………………………………….. October 2025
- First reading release …………………………………….. November 1st, 2025
- World premiere performance …………………………. December 2025
- Co-premiere performances ……………………………. December 2025-26
- Distribution of final score and parts for libraries .. January 2027
*Package fee to be invoiced and paid by the end of the enrollment period.
Exclusive Performances Scheduled
- December 4th, 2025 – World Premiere by Neal Springer and the Clements HS Orchestra and Choir (Sugarland, TX)
- December 9th, 2025 – Exclusive Performance by Allison King and the L.D. Bell HS Orchestra and Choir (Hurst, TX)
- December 11th, 2025 – Exclusive Performance by Matthew Porter and the Tompkins HS Orchestra and Choir (Katy, TX)
- December 11th, 2025 – Exclusive Performance by Dr. Guillermo Hernández Ching and the Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School Orchestra and Choir (Houston, TX)
- December 2026 – Exclusive Performance by Kyle Davis and the Jordan HS Orchestra and Choir (Katy, TX)
