AGO Sacred Music Composition & Arranging Flashcards

When harmonizing a traditional hymn tune for SATB choir, proper voice-leading requires:

Answer: Resolving the leading tone upward to the tonic and avoiding parallel fifths/octaves

Standard SATB voice-leading requires the leading tone to resolve upward to the tonic and prohibits parallel perfect fifths and octaves between any two voices.

A hymn tune in Dorian mode on D is built on:

Answer: D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D (natural minor with raised 6th)

Dorian mode on D is identical to a D natural minor scale except the sixth degree is raised a half step (B natural instead of Bb), giving it a characteristic brightness.

When setting a psalm text for unison choir and organ, which compositional approach best serves congregational comprehension?

Answer: Syllabic text setting with clear phrase structure aligned to the text's natural speech rhythm

Syllabic setting — one note per syllable — aligned to natural speech rhythm ensures the text remains intelligible and the congregation can follow easily.

In an organ voluntary arrangement, 'cantus firmus' technique means:

Answer: Stating a pre-existing hymn tune in long notes while surrounding voices move in counterpoint

Cantus firmus technique places a pre-existing melody in long, sustained notes (often in the tenor or soprano) while other voices provide independent contrapuntal accompaniment.

Which form is most commonly used for organ settings of a chorale prelude in the Lutheran tradition?

Answer: Through-composed settings where each phrase of the chorale is elaborated in turn

The Lutheran chorale prelude is typically through-composed, elaborating each phrase of the hymn tune in succession with introductory or accompanying counterpoint.

When writing a harmonization for a congregational hymn, which interval should be avoided as a final cadential bass movement for strength and clarity?

Answer: Descending second (II–I)

A bass movement by descending half step (such as bVII to I) creates a weak, ambiguous cadence unsuitable for congregational hymn closings; strong authentic or plagal cadences are preferred.