We mark the celebratory Easter season with sparkling white paraments, blooming lilies, the long-awaited liturgical return to alleluias, and especially the exuberance of Resurrection Day music. With an engagement of diverse groups of instruments and voices and multilayered harmonies, hymn concertatos prove an excellent selection for the joyful Easter worship service. From bold trumpet exclamations to the rhythmic declaration of timpani, discover hymn concertatos that jubilantly proclaim Christ’s victory.
In our Lutheran heritage, the concertato often combines choir, congregation, and organ while layering other instrumentation throughout structurally varied stanzas. The festal layering provided by instrumentalists may include brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, handbells, or even vocal soloists. By building upon recognizable hymn tunes, these concertatos carry theological truth within a steady musical structure. Specific stanzas are highlighted with different textures, such as a choir-only interpretation or a brass fanfare, helping the congregation meditate on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus with renewed focus and joy.
For a setting that captures the cosmic scale of the Resurrection, “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” by Jeffrey Blersch creates a joyful and full sound with instrumentation, including trumpets, trombones, SATB choir, timpani, tam-tam, bass drum, and organ. The stately percussion and trumpet anchor the majestic hymn tune while a descant of alleluias soars above. Blersch’s vibrant composition reinforces the hymn’s iconic text: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Its robust nature makes it an ideal choice for a grand processional or as a featured hymn.
If you are looking for a time-honored standard, “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,” arranged by John A. Behnke, sets the classic Easter hymn in a festive concertato style. This piece offers a rich experience for SATB choir and organ, with options to add brass, 3–5 octave handbells, timpani, and cymbals. Reproducible instrumental parts are included, and a choral score is also available. Behnke treats the third stanza with special care, setting it for choir alone in a contrasting variation that departs from the tune before a fanfare interlude announces the final stanza. The work concludes with a glorious descant for high voices and exclamations of alleluias, emphasizing a rich fanfare for Easter morning.
While often associated with Advent, “Lift Up Your Heads, You Everlasting Doors,” arranged by David von Kampen, offers a fresh perspective for the Easter season. With text by Stephen P. Starke, the setting explores themes from the book of Revelation, connecting the King of glory’s arrival to His conquest over the gates of hell. Utilizing a new text and tune from Lutheran Service Book, von Kampen provides a freshness that bridges the seasons of the Church Year. With robust instrumentals, the setting includes trumpets, trombones, and french horn. The vocal parts include some divisi sections that remain easily within the capabilities of most parish choirs, making this a distinct and accessible choice for celebrating the ascended Lord.
Finally, “All the Earth with Joy Is Sounding,” arranged by Walter L. Pelz with text by Stephen P. Starke, is crafted to combine the imagery of Christ with the Old Testament account of Jonah, proclaiming Christ as the “greater Jonah” who emerged from the “three-day bed” of the grave. This collaboration sets the hymn tune around congregational singing, with trumpets, trombones, timpani, SATB choir, and organ. With choral and instrumental variety in each stanza, Pelz’s arrangement ensures that this potent theological connection is heard with a thrilling, resonant sound.
Whether through the chime of handbells or the resonance of a brass quintet, these concertatos help us celebrate the Resurrection as a historical reality and a present gift. Incorporating these works into your Easter planning ensures that the victory of the Lamb is proclaimed with the clarity and splendor it deserves.
Find more concertatos and music for Easter by browsing our selection of music.