When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
S.A.T.B Chorus and Organ
By Lowell Mason

You must have a heart of stone if the first run-through of this piece doesn't bring tears to your eyes. I heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform this and called their office to get the arranger/publisher information. Our choir's biggest challenge was keeping their composure while...

singing. You do need a good organist for this one! There's even an [optionally] a cappella section for those who love the sound.

This is a powerful arrangement of the traditional Easter hymn in a (S)SATB setting. The key changes (every verse) add increased interest and drive. Harmonies are unique to each verse (note the minor movements for alto especially in 'see from His head, His hands, His feet' and the soaring...

octave leap for basses on 'Christ my God'). Accompaniment is complimentary, and simple enough to not overshadow the beauty of the harmonies of the choir, even a small choir. Ranges for each part are moderate and attainable by high school or church choirs. My seminary choir (in which I sing as an alumna) has done this as our signature piece each spring for almost 20 years now. Very highly recommended.

The first read thru insprired comments like Wow..Beautiful...Inspiring..moving, etc..Very well written..Anything Gilbert Martin arranges is awesome..I also play many of his organ pieces..Most sound very difficult but are not terribly hard to learn.

I am an amateur choir director with no formal training, though I sang under a master for nine years. I direct a small volunteer church choir. We performed the piece after about four, hour-long rehearsals, that number being partly due to not having the same singers at every rehearsal...

. The first two pages are men, women, and both, in unison, followed by some four part harmony of easy to medium difficulty. There is a brief section that splits into 8 parts, but is easily adaptable to four. The soprano goes up to a G once and an A at the end, but again, is easily adaptable, since those notes are doubled in the other parts. This piece has a simple and beautiful melody, rich harmony, moving text, and wide dynamic range, perfect for a special occasion worship service. The organ accompaniment is more difficult due to the five key changes, though none of the keys is particularly difficult in itself.

This piece is one of the classics for church choir-- one of my all-time favorites. Although it briefly splits into 8 parts (for one line), it is very accessible. Two of the verses are mostly in unison and the parts are very melodic and tuneful. It also requires a...

competent organist. Well worth doing!