SELECTIONS:

• Praise Him  
  Rod Miller has contributed another gem in his treatment of this well known hymn. A contemporary start featuring Dave Shultz on soprano sax and myself on trumpet, segueing into the addition of the voices in a march setting. Dynamic ending to this, the title cut.
   

• Praise Medley:

Great Is The Lord
The voices start acapella before being joined by the rest of the Orchestra in a driving 6/4 jazz waltz. We hear a vocal duet from Amy Seifarth and Robin Work followed by an instrumental section featuring Ron Stabinsky's piano soloing abilities. Everyone joins forces again for the final statement of this praise chorus.
 

Glorify Thy Name
This part of the Medley is put in its traditional setting featuring vocalist Monica Shanley and the beautiful high register work of lead trombonist, Chuck Dressler.
 

Majesty
Voices start alone, followed shortly thereafter by the Orchestra in the standard setting for this praise chorus. However, we go into a jazz swing offering of the chorus which is then broken up by a Dixie band segment. We return to the original setting ending with a full-production big 6-octave ending topped off by Craig Kenney's double C#.
 

How Majestic Is Your Name  
The final number in this Praise Medley. A spirited rendition with a few musical twists. An exhilarating trumpet section soli ending in the stratosphere, a double-time Kentonesque latin feel under a minor mode treatment that has instrumental quotes from the Kenton library, an acapella string section soli, and the final recapitulation of the theme into a thrilling ending.

• Trumpeter's Prayer
  Bob Mulligan arranged this for The Sacred Orchestra based on the original arrangement as written by Tutti Camarata for the renowned trumpeter, Conrad Gozzo. A beautiful melody and arrangement that captivates the title of this piece.
   

• What A Friend Medley
   arranged this medley of the popular hymn, What A Friend We Have in Jesus, along with an original of mine, I Know It's So, to feature Robin Work. This is put to a hard swinging groove and along with Robin you will hear a scintillating violin cadenza by Tal Horst, our principal. We recap with a New Orleans funeral band setting before the voices put the final "Amen" on the piece.
   

• Isn't He
  A nice contemporary ballad treatment of the early praise chorus which features one of our sopranos, MaryAnn Garrett. Also heard is some beautiful string work led by Tal Horst.
   

• Sweet By and By
  I called upon Gloria Horn again to do the honors with this samba treatment of the hymn Sweet By And By. Before we cut the ensemble loose for some call and answering with Gloria, I jump in with Omer Godinet, our drummer, on a short send off.
   

• Give Thanks
  Another of the beautiful praise choruses that have become popular in recent years. A lush arrangement by Bob Mulligan with solos by vocalist, Marta Botch, Bob Stoyko on flugelhorn, Ron Stabinsky on piano, Rob Diener on trumpet and Al Stokes on French horn.
   

• Rock of Ages
  Miles Davis, hip-hop, bass line ala Seinfeld theme, technical ensemble soli, Gloria Horn....all these elements put into a contemporary treatment of this old hymn.
   

• Boogie Woogie Dave  
  This is an obvious play-off of the Andrews Sister's hit, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, arranged by Bob Mulligan with new words provided by Diana Ahmadi. Diana also sings in the trio along with Marta Botch and Gloria Horn. This is a 'fun' piece for us that tells a little of what we have been doing .
   

• Hiding Place
  Here's an original composition from our own Sue Hamer who wrote both the words and the music. Chris Heslop was given the arranging chores and he set this in a very orchestral setting where the different sections of the orchestra are showcased . It's a haunting, captivating melody with meaningful words and Gloria Horn sings this with personal expression.
   

• His Eye Is On The Sparrow
  Gary Topper arranged this beautiful hymn for me and The Sacred Orchestra. And as he did on our first CD recording, Gary again displays his talented arranging abilities in a wonderful arrangement. The first part of the arrangement is a slower ballad offering with me on trumpet and Rycki Callan on voice and then the second half goes into a brisk 6/8 tempo with me playing some technical trumpet solo variations of the theme.
   

• Lead On  
  Another Rod Miller offering and this is the appropriate way to end this recording. A great arrangement dovetailing two great hymns of the church - Lead On O King Eternal, and Saviour, Like a Shepherd. It's a stirring arrangement and the climax ends this second recording of The Sacred Orchestra on a high note!