New Release by Maureen Briare - GIA Publications

The hymn name and musical inspiration for To the Ends of the earth emerged from the stunningly beautiful illumination of the earth and cosmos contained in the hand-wrought pages of The Saint John’s Bible. (Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN). 

To the Ends of the Earth was composed with hope and gratitude for graduates from the University of Portland, on the occasion of their Baccalaureate Mass, and to celebrate the generosity of Allen and Kathleen Lund, who gifted the University with a Heritage Edition of

The Saint John’s Bible , currently on continual display to offer the entire community a visual artistic feast of sacred imagination and calligraphed scriptural text. With a text that echoes the universal call to holiness, mercy, and discipleship, and serves as a majestic and graspable hymn for the assembly,

To the Ends of the Earth truly shines within a community of voices and instruments. The choral and organ accompaniment can be flexibly accessorized with the festive brass quintet/timpani/cymbal arrangement, as well as celebratory woodwinds, strings, and even 2 octaves of handbells! 

To the Ends of the Earth situates well as an entrance or closing hymn- within the season of Easter, or for any liturgical celebration evoking themes of discipleship, service, mission, love, unity, and universality far and wide, as its name implies.  

Whether offered with instrumental abundance, or with simplicity of accompaniment, may the zealous text of To the Ends of the Earth ‘come alive on the wings of prayer within all hearts who  

sing it. May “Alleluia” be our song to the ends of the earth!

Vocal Forces: SATB, Assembly

Accompaniment: Organ

Separate Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B-flat, Trumpet I in B-flat, Trumpet I in C, Trumpet II in B-flat, Trumpet II in C, Trombone I, Trombone II, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Timpani, Percussion, 2 octaves Handbells

Tune Name: st. john

Series: Choral

Difficulty Level: E/M

Seasonal: Easter

Liturgical: Easter season, Ascension, Pentecost

Topical: Discipleship, Ministry, Service, Holiness, Light, Unity, Peace

Scored for: Brass, Handbell, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds

Number of Pages: 12

Language: English

Format: Octavo