My Mouth Shall Speak the Praise of the Lord

When a choir takes on Handel, there is always a moment of collective deep breath before the first downbeat. "My Mouth Shall Speak the Praise of the Lord" is a magnificent excerpt from his Chandos Anthems, bringing that unmistakable Baroque grandeur straight into the choir loft. It opens with stately, expressive solos for the alto and bass, setting a reverent tone as they declare the psalmist's promise to praise God.

The true workout for the singers begins when the full SATB chorus enters. What starts as a simple "Amen" unfolds into a sweeping, complex choral weave. The voices chase each other through pages of intricate runs and overlapping entries on "Amen" and "for ever and ever."

Pieces like this are often reserved for major concerts, grand feast days, or special choral presentations where the choir can truly stretch its vocal agility. It demands tight breath control and sharp attention to the director, but the payoff is immense. When those final, resounding chords lock into place, it leaves everyone in the pews uplifted by its sheer energy.