Neswick — A Song of Joy [SATB + organ]

SATB + organ with tenor solo | Duration: approximately 5:00

Commissioned by the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque and premiered at their 2025 Advent Lessons and Carols, this joyful setting of Zephaniah 3:14–18 brings the prophet's exuberant call to celebration to life. Marked "with a swing," Mr. Neswick's music is bright and engaging, drawing on chant-inspired melodic lines and lively harmonic writing that captures the text's spirit of rejoicing. The organ part provides rhythmic energy and harmonic color throughout. While the piece is perfectly suited to Advent, its festive character and universal message of joy make it equally appropriate for celebrations, dedications, and festive occasions throughout the year. The moderate difficulty level makes this an appealing choice for choirs seeking repertoire that's rewarding to prepare and effective in performance.

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
so that you will not bear reproach for it. 

BRUCE NESWICK (b. 1956) is the Interim Director of Music at St. James' in-the-City Episcopal Church, Los Angeles. He is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and Yale University, and his organ teachers have included David Dahl, Margaret Irwin-Brandon, Gerre Hancock, Robert Baker and Lionel Rogg. Mr. Neswick also holds Fellowship degrees from the American Guild of Organists and the Royal School of Church Music and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the South in 2016. He has conducted dozens of RSCM summer camps and festivals for boy and girl choristers and has been commissioned to compose for performers and churches throughout North America. Mr. Neswick’s skill at improvisation garnered him three first prizes from the 1989 San Anselmo Organ Festival; the 1990 AGO convention in Boston; and the 1992 Rochette Concours at the Conservatoire de Musique in Geneva, Switzerland. Active as a recitalist, choral conductor and composer, he has performed and taught at many past AGO national conventions, including those in Dallas, Seattle, Washington, DC, and Boston. Mr. Neswick is represented by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists.