Ave Maria Gracia Dei Plena

This setting for women's voices takes its simplicity from the text. This is a short carol, which repeats the text "Ave Maria" three times. The opening refrain is written homophonically with a predominant use of major seconds. The middle verse section is an unaccompanied soprano solo set in English. The final refrain incorporates a descant taken from the solo verse which brings all three voices together.

Ave Maria, gracia Dei plena; There is no rose; A Carol for Peace; Jesu for thy mercy endless are all "push the envelope" pieces (epecially the second), and for that reason are worth a look by composers who are interested in seeing some of the current "outer limits" for church and choral music. As for performance, they are for advanced church groups or college choirs only. Not for the timid! Association of Anglican Musicians Journal