Ave Maria
(Vocal Score)

This setting of the well-known text was written for the small but talented choir at the church where Patrick worships in Norwich.  His aim was always to create a warm and intimate sound world which would reflect the prayerful and devotional feast of The Assumption of Our Lady.

The individual lines are not too demanding but performers must be fully aware of the occasional surprising change of tonality within the group as a whole.  Dynamic contrast is essential to the atmosphere, especially over the final five bars of the piece.

Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.