Holiday Pops Music ~
Chorus & Orchestra
“On This Day Earth Shall Ring”
(An arrangement of the ancient carol)
See Description, Instrumentation, Text Info, and Reviews at bottom of page.
STATUS: Re-formatting into Sibelius — should be available in summer 2026
PRINT PRICE: $250 + S/H (This includes string parts up to 12, 12, 10, 8, 6.)
PDF PRICE: $185 for a set of PDFs of the full score and all the parts
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FULL SCORE EXCERPT / CHORAL SCORE EXCERPT
SOUND CLIPS:
♦ If you're considering this piece, please contact me to request a demo.
♦ You can hear this piece in the chamber orchestra version by clicking here.
♦ You can watch a Vimeo video of the chamber orchestra version by clicking here.
SCORING: Large SATB chorus, accompanied by a large pops orchestra —
See the “Instrumentation” tab below. / DURATION: ca. 2:30
DIFFICULTY: While the choral parts are not difficult, the instrumental parts are more challenging, so I recommend that this piece be performed only by professional players.
NOTE: This arrangement is also available with chamber orch. acc.
DESCRIPTION
This traditional carol was first published in the 1582 Finnish song book called “Piae Cantiones,” and has been much loved ever since.
In my arrangement, I wanted to highlight the Medieval flavor of the tune, so I created a dance-like carol featuring woodwind solos and a prominent tambourine part.
INSTRUMENTATION
CHOIR: Large SATB chorus
WOODWINDS:
3 Flutes (2nd & 3rd Flutes double on Piccolo)
2 Oboes + English Horn
3 Clarinets in Bb
2 Bassoons + 1 Contrabassoon
BRASS:
4 Horns
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombones
1 Tuba
PERCUSSION:
1 timpanist (4 timps), plus 3 percussionists on the following instruments: Glockenspiel, Chimes, Piatti, Suspended Cymbal, Tambourine, Triangle, Finger Cymbal
HARP: 1 Harp
KEYBOARD: 1 Piano (acoustic or synth)
STRINGS: Ideally, a minimum of 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, but slightly less than this is also doable.
TEXT INFO
On This Day Earth Shall Ring
Words from “Piae Cantiones,” 1582 —
Translated by Jane M. Joseph, ca. 1924
Complete text:
On this day earth shall ring
With the song children sing
To the Lord, Christ our King,
Born on earth to save us.
Him the Father gave us.
Ideo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
[Therefore, glory to God in the highest!]
His the doom, ours the mirth,
When He came down to earth.
Bethlehem saw His birth;
Ox and ass beside Him,
From the cold would hide Him.
Ideo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
God's bright star, o'er His head,
Wise men three to Him led,
Kneeling low by His bed,
Lay their gifts before Him,
Praise Him and adore Him.
Ideo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
On this day angels sing.
With their song earth shall ring,
Praising Christ, heaven's King,
Born on earth to save us.
Peace and love He gave us.
Ideo, gloria in excelsis Deo!
REVIEWS
Timothy Hankewich, conductor:
“Peter's version of 'On This Day Earth Shall Ring' is filled with lush harmonies and masterful orchestration that perfectly captures the joy of the carol. This piece is sure to add a terrific festive flavor to everyone's holiday programming!
The choral writing is inventive and dramatic, yet can be mastered by choruses of all abilities.”
— Timothy Hankewich, Music Director and Conductor of Orchestra Iowa and its affiliated choirs
