HOLY IS THE LORD

"Holy Is The Lord" is a vibrant, rhythmic setting of the Sanctus, composed by Johnpaul Chukwujekwu Okuwor. Sung at the conclusion of the Preface, this piece calls the choir and congregation to join the angels in their unending hymn of praise just before the Eucharistic Prayer begins. It is a moment of profound reverence, yet this arrangement approaches the text with a bright, celebratory energy.

The score is marked "Allegretto," giving the music a lively and forward-moving pace. Okuwor builds the arrangement with joyful, overlapping repetitions in the voice parts, particularly in the cascading "heaven and earth" phrases and the driving "Hosanna" sections. The voices echo and support one another, creating a sense of gathering momentum that perfectly captures the joy of welcoming the Lord. It is an engaging, spirited piece for a Catholic choir looking to bring an uplifting dynamic to the Mass, ensuring the "Hosanna in the highest" rings out with genuine gladness.