IRUELE MARIA {Hail Mary}

"Iruele Maria" is an expressive Etsako setting of the Hail Mary, composed by Obioha Ogbonna. Originally written for the Auchi Deanery Choir Competition in 2018, the piece brings the beloved Marian prayer to life through vibrant indigenous rhythms and layered choral harmonies.

The song opens with a joyful, rhythmic chorus greeting the Blessed Virgin, before moving into verses that carry the traditional angelic salutation. A distinctive feature of this arrangement is the second verse, which introduces a repeating ostinato beneath an expressive alto solo ("O gio' sa"). This builds into a rich, meditative texture as the tenor and bass voices join in a plea for her intercession.

Choirs will find this piece especially fitting for Marian feasts, May and October devotions, or as a prayerful meditation during Mass. Its dynamic shifts between full-choir sections and solo passages make it an engaging offering that honors the Mother of God while drawing the congregation into deep, culturally rooted prayer.