A Tree Once Stood

By Joseph M. Martin

Presented as a troubadour song telling the story of Christ's crucifixion, this folk-like octavo is written from the perspective of the tree that became the cross. The harp-like piano accompaniment brings a delicate simplicity to the atmosphere of the piece and stands in deep contrast to the sadness of the text. A good balance of unison and four-part writing makes the note learning easy, freeing the director to cultivate a culture of expressiveness in the interpretation of the work. Splendid! Score and Parts (alto rec, ob, cl 1-2, bn, hn 1-2, tpt 1-3, tbn 1-2, tba, chm, perc 1-2, hp, vn 1-2, va, vc, db)