O Give Thanks and Sing

Grade K-2 Children's Choir (or Easy Access anthem for Grade 3-6 choir) for unison treble voices, violin (or flute) and organ.

• Text Reference: Psalm 117, 118:1, adapted by Harriet Willoughby
• Worship Use: Praise/Thanksgiving
• Feature: Violin obbligato “French Folk Song”
• Vocal Range: e-c#’
• Key: A major
• Meter: 3/4
• Accompanying Instruments: Violin (or Flute) and Organ (or piano)

Teaching Overview: O, Give Thanks and Sing includes an easy violin obbligato, playable by a student who has completed Suzuki Violin Book I. This anthem is easily taught by introducing it via K-2 Warm-Up # 5. The ascending fourth (m. 14, m. 22) can be reviewed and tuned as another quick warm-up. Pay careful attention to both vowel sounds and consistent pitch on the word, “al-le-lu-ia”; also, be careful not to allow the choristers to cut off the final syllable of each phrase abruptly or with an accent. This anthem offers an easy approach to teaching legato lines and phrase shaping.