Gaudeamus Omnes

This short, celebratory setting, originally composed as an introit for the Wells Cathedral Girl Choristers, was arranged for SSATB in 2010 (the upper parts unaltered) for the Exon Singes Festival. The text (Let us all rejoice) exists in a number of versions, and here honours all the saints, at whose solemnly the angels rejoice. The texture, essentially imitative, is governed by a syncopated melodic phrase which gives way to softer material in the middle section. The return of the opening idea drives the piece towards a broad, jubilant conclusion.John Phibbs