From the Composer:

"A brilliant, pulsating piano introduction announces the dawn and invites the voices to join with escalating calls to "Awake, my soul!" As the pulsing continues, the vocal counterpoint gives way to the chordal acclamation, "I will awaken the dawn!" This [is a] setting of Psalm 57:8-11..."

Source: https://www.elainehagenberg.com/ehm/awake-my-soul (accessed 12 Aug 2025)

About the Song:

Elaine Hagenberg's "Awake My Soul" exemplifies her ability to create music that feels both timeless and contemporary. The piece builds from quiet introspection to expansive celebration, using her characteristic technique of layering voices to create luminous textures. Hagenberg employs extended harmonies and suspensions that give the work its shimmering quality, while maintaining enough traditional harmonic grounding to keep church choirs comfortable.

The text draws from multiple sources including psalm paraphrases and original poetry, woven together to create a journey from spiritual dormancy to awakening. Hagenberg structures the piece with careful attention to text painting—musical gestures that mirror the meaning of the words—particularly in how the dynamics and tessituras rise as the text moves toward themes of light and awakening.

Musically, Hagenberg writes idiomatically for choir, understanding breath capacity and vocal comfort zones. She uses divisi sparingly but effectively, creating moments of richness without overwhelming amateur singers. The piano accompaniment provides harmonic support while adding its own melodic interest, never merely doubling the voices. This independent yet supportive accompaniment style has become a hallmark of contemporary sacred choral writing, balancing accessibility with artistic merit.

About the Composer:

https://www.elainehagenberg.com/about

• ms. 12, all, breathe before beat 4

• ms. 12-15, S only, divisi half on each note

• ms. 20, all, breathe before beat 4

• ms. 20-24, S only, divisi half on each note

• ms. 21, B only, all take lower note

• ms. 21, Soren (T), Larry (B1)

• ms. 24-28, S only, no breath

• ms. 28-32, S only, no breath

• ms. 34, S only, quick breath before beat 3

• ms. 35, A only, quick breath at the end of the measure

• ms. 40-48, all, breath during the rest in ms 44 only

• ms. 50, ST only, quick breath before beat 3

• ms. 51, AB only, quick breath at the end of the measure

• ms. 62-65, S only, divisi half on each note

• ms. 70-end, S only, divisi half on each note

• ms. 64-end, B only, all take lower note

• ms. 64-end, Soren (T), Larry (B1)