Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026

Once again for our Easter celebration we are fortunate to have 2 trumpeters along with our choir.  Prelude music will begin with "Thine Be The Glory" from Handel's 3 part oratorio, "Judas Maccabeus", arranged for 2 trumpets and organ by the 20th century American, Nigel Williams.  Secondly, to give the trumpets a short break, I will play Charles Ore's setting of the familiar hymn, "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth".  Thirdly, we will play "Fanfare for Two Trumpets and Organ" by Martin Ellis, contemporary American. This is a very "robust" fanfare utilizing a lot of organ.  I can't think of a more appropriate time to play it, other than to announce Easter and the Resurrection!

Hymns for the day will include many of the wonderful and favorite Easter hymns in our hymnal; I won't attempt to list them!  The anthem also comes from Handel's oratorio, "Judas Maccabeus" (perhaps you remember the Old Testament story), and is "Praise the Lord", arranged for 3 part choir, by the contemporary, Hal Hopson.  

Following the anthem, as is our tradition on the first Sunday of Easter, we will sing Ralph Vaughan Williams arrangement of the "Old Hundredth" (377 in our hymnal). The congregation joins in on verses 1, 2, and 5.

Following the closing hymn, "Welcome, Happy Morning" (179), the postlude will be  Henry Purcell's "Sound the Trumpet", arranged for 2 trumpets and organ by Michel Rondeau.  Purcell, of course, was 17th century, and Michel Rondeau is contemporary.

May you be having a meaningful Holy Week, and I wish all a Happy Easter!

Philip Dettra, Director of Music