Major Works for Choir and Orchestra
Allan Robert Petker’s major works are a staple for choirs, offering a range of extended compositions that are often performed with orchestral accompaniment, delighting audiences and challenging singers.
Dona Nobis Pacem
A Festival Gloria
Touch
Te Deum – Laudamus Propter Musicam
Canticle of St. Augustine
Dona Nobis Pacem
A social justice statement for choir and orchestra in 6 movements by Allan Robert Petker.
Movement I – Light
Lux aeterna luceat nobis. Dona nobis pacem. O nata lux de lumine, concede nobis, quaesumus almis micare moribus (May light eternal shine upon us, O Lord. Grant us peace. O light born of light, grants us, we pray, to shine with caring lives.)
Movement II – Justice
Poem on social justice
Quote by Helen Keller: Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.
Quote by Pope Francis: The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty!
Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Movement III – Darkness
Lacrymosa (Tears)
Poem Attributed to Julius Caesar:
Beware…who bangs the drums of war… It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights…and gladly so.
Poem by Lizette Woodworth Reese:
When I consider Life and its few years – A wisp of fog betwixt us and the sun; A call to battle, and the battle done Ere the last echo dies within our ears;
A rose choked in the grass; an hour of fears; The gusts that past a darkening shore do beat; The burst of music down an unlistening street, – I wonder at the idleness of tears.
Movement IV – Hope
Navajo Prayer:
Walk on a rainbow trail. Walk on a trail of song and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist over a rainbow trail.
Poem by Emily Dickinson:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm – That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm – I’ve heard it in the chillest land – And on the strangest Sea – Yet – never – in Extremity, It asked a crumb – of me.
Movement V – Faith
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
Movement VI – Peace
Quote by Abraham Lincoln:
With malice toward none, with charity for all, …let us strive on to finish the work we are in, …to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
Dona nobis Pacem (Grant us peace) Alleluia!
“Lux” – Light From Dona Nobis Pacem
Lux (Light) is the first movement from a larger work, “Dona Nobis Pacem.” The Latin words are a prayer for light and peace to shine upon us. Although the piano accompaniment is effective, two orchestral versions are also offered.
Purchasing & Product Information
“Lux” – Light From Dona Nobis Pacem
• SATB Choral Score
• SATB Choral Score Digital
• SATB Full Orchestra Conductor’s Score
• SATB Full Orchestra Conductor’s Score Digital
• SATB Chamber Orchestra Conductor’s Score
• SATB Chamber Orchestra Conductor’s Score Digital
A Festival Gloria
Gloria In Excelsis Deo
SATB – Choral Score
$4.99
A Festival Gloria – Gloria In Excelsis Deo
This 8-minute work has 3 distinct sections that flow together without stopping. The opening “Gloria” section is exuberant and rhythmic. The “miserere” middle section is poignant and stirring. The “et in terra pax” section is assuring and comforting. Other accompaniments are available by rental including brass quintet, chamber orchestra, and full orchestra.
Hear the composer talk about his composition in this 3-minute sampler.
This 8-minute work has 3 distinct sections that flow together without stopping. The opening “Gloria” section is exuberant and rhythmic. The “miserere” middle section is poignant and stirring. The “et in terra pax” section is assuring and comforting. Other accompaniments are available by rental including brass quintet, chamber orchestra, and full orchestra.
Commissioning a Major Work
Commissioning major works for choral music can be a fantastic way to energize your choral program, motivate singers, and create memorable performances for loved ones and special occassions.
Want to learn more about commissioning a work? Visit our Commissions Page or contact Allen at apetker@gmail.com for personalized guidance.
Touch
A 3-movement multimedia work for chorus and chamber orchestra based on the paintings of He Qi, a contemporary Chinese Christian artist, composed by Allan Robert Petker.
Movement I – God Touches Us
Movement II – We Seek to Touch God
Movement III – We Reach Out to One Another
For performance information, please contact Allan at apetker@gmail.com
A 3-movement work for choir and orchestra by Allan Robert Petker, performed by Consort Chorale under the direction of the composer.
Te Deum
Laudamus Propter Musicam
SATB, divisi – Choral Score
$9.99
Te Deum – Laudamus Propter Musicam
The traditional “Te Deum” takes on a fresh perspective with this three-movement work. The entire title really means “praise to God for music,” and the first movement pays homage to our Baroque ancestry in its Handelian treatment, but in modern day tonalities. The second is lush and tender, while the third blends the traditional Latin text with the beautiful poetry of Fred Pratt Green’s, “When in Our Music God is Glorified.” Composed for choir and orchestra, it is performable with just piano and in several different orchestral options. It has already been performed in numerous U.S. venues, including Carnegie Hall, and in Europe. It is Medium in difficulty.
Important! There are three ancillary products for this work that are RENTAL ONLY, available at fredbockpublishinggroup.com/rentals/.
P9106 — Instrumental Parts for Full Orchestra — 2 Fl., 2 Ob., 2 Cl., 2 Bn., 2 Hn., 2 Tp., 1 Perc., Timp., Harp, Strings, and includes a Full Conductor’s Score. The full score is also available for purchase, P9105.
P9108 — Instrumental Parts for Chamber Orchestra — 1 Fl., 1 Ob., 1 Cl., 1 Bn., 2 Hn., Harp, 1 Perc., Timp., Piano, and includes a rental Full Conductor’s Score. The full score is also available for purchase, P9107.
P9110 — Instrumental Parts for Small Ensemble — 1 Fl., 1 Hn., 1 Perc., Timp., Piano, and includes a rental Full Conductor’s Score. The full score is also available for purchase, P9109.
Performed by the Santa Clarita Master Chorale and conducted by the composer, this video features the 3-movement arrangement of “Te Deum – Laudamus Propter Musicam,” which is available for purchase.
Experience a modern “Te Deum” in this three-movement work, featured in the video scoreplay. Premiered across the U.S. and Europe, this medium-difficulty piece was commissioned by Sacramento’s River City Chorale.
“Te Deum – Laudamus Propter Musicam”
3-Movement Purchasing & Product Information
• SATB Choral Score
• SATB Choral Score Digital
• SATB, divisi – Conductor’s Score Full Orchestra
• SATB, divisi – Conductor’s Score Chamber Orchestra
• SATB, divisi – Conductor’s Score Small Ensemble
You can view the music and hear the version with 2 pianos and percussion below.
Movement I
God Is Singing Over You
Movement II
We Sing to the Majesty of God
Movement III
We Sing to the Grace of God
Movement IV
Music Itself Glorifies God
For performance information, please contact Allan at apetker@gmail.com
Canticle Of St. Augustine – SATB
$4.95
Canticle of St. Augustine
As Bishop of Hippo between 396 A.D. and his death, St. Augustine delivered some of the most beautiful Christmas sermons ever written. The text of this work comes directly from one of those sermons. For St. Augustine, the most important aspect of Christmas was not the manger scene, but rather the central mystery of faith — the glorious paradox of the Incarnation, as recorded in the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3,14)
Movement I
Hodie
Movement II
Et Incarnatus Est
Movement III
Glorificamus
Movement IV
Verbum (The Word)
Movement V
Alleluia
Resounding Praise
SATB – Choral Score
$6.95
Resounding Praise
Commissioned for the 50th Anniversary of the Los Cancioneros Chorale in Los Angeles, this 8 minute work combines classical themes with a syncopated rhythm. The opening and closing sections are fast and driving, while the middle sections are more serene. Based on Psalm 100 (Make a Joyful Noise), the work is fitting for concert or church use. Although performable with organ or piano, the original orchestration includes strings, harp, timpani and percussion. Full score, P9027, and parts, P9026, available separately.
“Resounding Praise” Purchasing & Product Information
• SATB Choral Score
• SATB Orchestral Conductor’s Score
• SATB Orchestral Parts
Recent Commissions by Allan Robert Petker:
Want to learn more about commissioning a work? Visit our Commissions Page or contact Allen at apetker@gmail.com for personalized guidance.
A Dynamic Concert Opener: “I Will Sing”
A High-Energy Concert Opener for SATB Choir, Keyboard, Brass, and Percussion. Commissioned by Westminster Presbyterian Church, Oklahoma City, this vibrant anthem grabs attention and invites all to sing. With optional brass and percussion, the accompaniment is crisp and rhythmic, featuring exuberant choral sentences that break into canon.
A Beautiful Message: “True Wisdom Brings Peace”
“True Wisdom Brings Peace” is a beautiful anthem for SATB choir and keyboard, based on James 3:17-18. This piece skillfully weaves together themes of compassion, peace, and wisdom, featuring a poignant reharmonization of “There is a Balm in Gilead.”
A Vibrant Anthem:“Live In The Light of God”
Incorporating the hymn, ”God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand,” this anthem for choir, piano and optional trumpet celebrates God’s love for us and our calling to share the good news. Commissioned for the dedication of a new church sanctuary, this piece begins softly and builds to a joyful conclusion.