Introducing
The Parish Book of Motets
for Three Voices
The Parish Book of Motets for Three Voices is the second volume developed for Catholic choirs across America to build a practical repertoire of sacred polyphony. The book contains twenty-eight motets of varying difficulty in English and Latin specially curated for the average parish choir.
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28 motets in English and Latin, including 5 new commissioned works
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Each piece is scored for SAB and ATB for practical use in a variety of parish settings
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Accompaniment book with closed scores for easy rehearsals
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Online Practice Recordings for Each Motet
Critical Reviews: “A highly practical resource…”
“Once again, after the wonderful and practical Parish Book of Motets for Four Voices, the CMAA has produced an essential counterpart for three voices. This three-part collection is an ideal starting point for polyphonic singing, and together with the four-part collection, could constitute almost a choir’s (or family’s) entire repertoire.
Together, the preface and critical commentary are a veritable crash course in Renaissance choral musicology that can establish an elegant level of erudition in the performance practice of this edifying repertoire. I can’t wait to use this collection with my own choirs!”
Dr. Christopher Berry, Assistant Professor, Catholic Institute of Sacred Music | CMAA Board of Directors
“The Parish Book of Motets for Three Voices is a wonder! This invaluable collection gives choir directors enormous flexibility, with access to works from the Renaissance to newly-composed gems.
The engraving is beautiful, the introductory notes are both practical and scholarly, and the additions of piano reductions and practice tracks make this a must for choirs of all shapes and sizes. I can’t wait to dig in!”
Dr. Alfred Calabrese, Director of Music & Liturgy, St. Rita Catholic Church, Dallas | Conductor-Band of Voices
“The creators of this collection are to be commended for offering a practical resource which responds to the need for a compelling repertoire within the reach of our choral ensembles.
Options for the entire liturgical year, astonishingly offered in both SAB and ATB voicings, with superb recordings of both the complete work and it’s individual voice parts will add substantive, approachable works to a choir’s repertory, and the accompanying practice tracks will translate into more confident singers and efficient rehearsal periods. Kudos on this project!”
Paul French, Music Director, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Chicago | President, American Federation Pueri Cantores
The Parish Book of Motets for Three Voices is the flexible answer to Catholic choirs looking to build a practical repertoire of sacred polyphony.
The third publication in the series of a growing answer to Catholic parishes’ needs, The Parish Book of Motets in Three Parts follows the popular Parish Book of Chant and Parish Book of Motets in Four Parts. Catholic parishes, especially those with beginning choirs or limited choral forces, can look to The Parish Book of Motets in Three Parts for a repertoire of good-quality, accessible choral music, in accurate and clear printed editions with helpful commentary, and accompanying practice tracks.
The book includes both a cappella and accompanied selections of varying difficulty, some selections in English, many pieces from the Renaissance treasury of choral music (Palestrina, Lassus, Anerio, and others), as well as five newly commissioned pieces by Frank La Rocca, Mark Nowakowski, Christopher Mueller, Diana Corliss, and Peter Togni.
All the motets have been newly edited for The Parish Book of Motets from original sources, to provide clear and accurate scores that are easy to read. Each piece is given in both SAB and ATB transpositions allowing even more flexibility.
Order The Parish Book of Motets Now
Practice Tracks
Each of the 28 compositions in The Parish Book of Motets, 3 Part is accompanied by high-quality practice tracks highlighting each one of the voice parts individually, all voice parts together, and accompaniment only.
Listen to the examples below of Diego de las Muelas’ Vox Clamantis.
Vox clamantis ATB - Balanced Voices
Free Practice Recordings
Over 1000 Minutes of Practice Music
Editions for Choir and Accompanist
VOCAL EDITION
The Parish Book of Motets presents 28 motets in new engravings with modern notation, many of them newly transcribed from Renaissance sources. 23 Motets are from the Church’s Treasury, 5 Motets are newly composed for this project. The scores were edited and prepared by Aaron James, musicologist.
FOR THE ACCOMPANIST
The accompaniment edition of The Parish Book of Motets offers piano reductions of the motets for rehearsal use. This multi-page edition was also edited for the Church Music Association of America by Aaron James, who holds the title of Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
Free Parish Book of Motets Resources
Score PDFs
Full vocal scores and piano reductions for rehearsal are available freely in electronic form and also in print.
Search & share Links
Each motet is easy to access with its own link, and can be shared with choir members and others by using the clickable “copy link” button.
Practice Tracks
High-quality studio rehearsal recordings are available: in Full Choir form and as Emphasized tracks for each voice part, along with Muted tracks for each vocal part, allowing each voice to practice in a variety of ways.
Full Contents
*Each Motet is provided in SAB & ATB scoring. A separate “Piano Reductions” edition is also available in print and downloadable PDFs.
Ave Maria, Prioris
Benedicite Domino, Clemens
Benedictus – Missa de la Batalla escoutez, Guerrero
Benedictus – Missa Misericorde, Clemens non Papa
Dulcis amica, Prioris
Esurientes from Magnificat sexti toni, Guerrero
Esurientes from Magnificat primi toni, Palestrina
Exaudiat te Dominus, White
Gustate et videte, Asola
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, Tomkins
In manus tuas, Parsons
Justus es Domine, Lassus
Like as the hart, Croft
Magnificat octavi toni, Grassi
Manducaverunt, et saturi sunt nimis, Togni
O Jesu mi dulcissime, Anerio
O pastor animarum, La Rocca
O quam glorifica, Agricola
O sacrum convivium, Corliss
Parce Domine, Obrecht
Peccantem me quotidie, Crecquillon
Puer natus est, Morales
Rex virtutum, Anerio
Salve salutaris victima, Nowakowski
Sol occasum nesciens, Isaac
Tua Jesu dilectio, Palestrina
Vox clamantis, Muelas
