SANCTUS, SANCTUS

"Sanctus, Sanctus" by Mathias Mariae is a bright and rhythmic setting of the traditional Latin Holy, Holy, Holy. Written in a lively Allegretto tempo, it brings a joyful energy to the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer. The piece opens with majestic, drawn-out calls of "Sanctus," allowing the choir to establish a sense of awe before moving into the more flowing, rhythmic passages.

As the choir reaches "Pleni sunt Caeli et terra," the melody picks up a steady momentum that carries the congregation straight into a triumphant "Hosanna in excelsis." The "Benedictus" section offers a gentle, measured contrast before returning to the joyful Hosanna. Because it is written entirely in accessible solfa notation, this setting is easy to teach during rehearsals and serves as an excellent way to introduce a choir to singing the Mass parts in Latin.