But thanks be to God.

There is a special kind of energy that fills the choir loft when we open the score to "But thanks be to God." A beloved classical chorus, it is a magnificent shout of triumph that perfectly captures the joy of the Easter season. The text, drawn from Corinthians, is a bold declaration of faith, celebrating the ultimate victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For a choir, this piece is both a thrilling challenge and a profound prayer. The voices enter and intertwine, tossing the joyful "thanks" back and forth before uniting in the sweeping, majestic runs that declare "who giveth us the victory." It requires stamina and precision, but the result is deeply moving. When the final, resounding chords ring out through the church, it leaves the congregation with an undeniable sense of hope and gratitude.

Choirs often program this as a grand Easter anthem, a festive recessional, or a powerful piece of thanksgiving. It is a glorious reminder of the triumph we share, sung with all the classical grandeur and spiritual depth that our singers love to bring to life.