H. T. FitzSimons Company – F2348  Rejoice! (SATB ) by Robert Powell/Rosephanye | J.W. Pepper Sheet Music (jwpepper.com)

A favorite among church choirs and in ecumenical services! Anthem composed for SATB choir and organ with optional brass (2 trumpets), tympani and cymbal, Dr. Powell illustrates her regal flair. Based on Psalms 118 and verses from Acts 10, the tender middle section is flanked by the royal fanfares and triumphant statements. This piece will flourish in festival occasions and services of praise to God.

JW Pepper:  Rosephanye Powell demonstrates her excellence in multiple genres with this noble commission. Written for SATB choir and organ with optional brass (2 trumpets & 2 trombones) and cymbal, Dr. Powell illustrates her regal flair. Based on Psalms 118 and verses from Acts 10, the tender middle section is flanked by the royal fanfares and triumphant statements. This piece will flourish in festival occasions and services of praise to God.

Notes from the composer:

In celebration of the church 50 th anniversary of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Auburn, Alabama, Rejoice! was composed on the scriptural theme found in Acts 10:34-43:
Then Peter began to speak to them: I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35. but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him). 43. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. ( NRSV)
To complement the theme, I selected Psalm 117 which enjoins all believers to rejoice because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!  For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.  Praise the LORD!
This jubilant anthem begins with a short fanfare sounded by trumpets and organ introducing the main ideas of the chorus in an abbreviated fashion. Timpani and cymbals accentuate an air of majesty and celebration, while the chorus enters extolling God for His steadfast love and mercy for people of all nations who fear Him. In the contrasting middle section, the composer presents a tender, intimate expression of the forgiveness that comes to those who trust in the name of Jesus. It ends with an emphatic statement of God’s impartiality, love and forgiveness, followed by a return to the jubilant A section and a repeated charge by the chorus to rejoice!