Music for Palm Sunday

Music for Palm Sunday must cover a great range of emotions. It begins with the foreboding joy of the triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem when palm branches were placed in His path. A choral anthem by Margaret Sandresky, “Hosanna, Hosanna,” will be sung at the beginning of Palm Sunday in a portion of worship called “Liturgy of the Palms” recalling Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem just days before his trial and crucifixion. In fact, it’s the only place in Palm Sunday worship where this anthem can be sung as the Gospel explicates Christ’s Passion. We sing it while the palms are distributed just before the opening hymn. Then, at the Gospel, we hear of His arrest and Crucifixion.

At the offertory the choir sings "Pie Jesu" from Cherubini’s Requiem and at the communion, Henry Purcell’s, “Thou knowest Lord the secrets of our hearts.” We are assisted today by three very talented parish instrumentalists: Tommy Thompson, Clarinet; Dawn Paulus, Cello; and, David Piecka, Horn. Packed with emotional music and hymns, the Palm Sunday liturgy is a treasure for great music that St. Paul’s parish musicians will attempt to reveal.