• Text Source: Shaker, adapted by Carol Mc,Clure
• Tune Source: Shaker, Pleasant Hill, 1854
• Vocal Part(s): Unison (opt. canon)
• Vocal Range: d-f’
• Key: F major
• Meter: 2/4
• Accompanying Instruments: a cappella

Target Age Group: Grades 3-6

Description: This Is Jesus’ Birthday is a fast-paced, jubilant anthem culminating in a canonical presentation of the final stanza. One of six Shaker source anthems offered in the Viva Voce 2011-2012 curriculum, this a cappella setting is an ideal choral introit for a children’s Christmas Eve service. It works well being sung antiphonally or by the choristers filling the nave of the sanctuary.

Anthem Warm-Ups

• bars 5-6: “Sing praise to God” (Bb-F-D-Bb) – intervallic tuning
• bars 13-14: “With joyful songs His” (F-Bb-Bb-D-F) – intervallic tuning slow unmetered singing of the melody for absolute pitch accuracy

Teaching Points

• Rhythm/Meter: Singing 16th notes in 2/4 meter; rhythmic exactitude between the two parts singing the canonical refrain; executing a dance-like feel in 2/4, not over-emphasizing the second beat of each bar
• Tuning: Tuning reliability singing an a cappella anthem; tuning intervals between the two parts singing the canonical refrain
• Music History: Learning about early Shaker tunes and texts
• Music History/Style Exploration: Listening to/watching a variety of choral performances of Shaker music