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About the Composer

Timothy Hoekman

Composer Timothy Hoekman has written in many genres and has works published by Theodore Presser, Colla Voce, Plymouth Music Company, Recital Publications, and Classical Vocal Reprints. He was recently announced as the winner of the Delta Omicron 2025 Triennial Composition Competition for his Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano, and in 2002 he was the MTNA-Shepherd...

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Timothy Hoekman Music

Blow the Trumpet in Zion

Name: Blow the Trumpet in Zion
SKU: THM-120
Availability: InStock

Timothy Hoekman

A bravura anthem of judgment, entreaty, and promise. Words from Joel 2 and Malachi 3.

Difficulty: 5

THM-120

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SATB chorus, soprano, mezzo, tenor and baritone; soloists, piano

Prophet Songs is a 24-movement oratorio for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists, SATB chorus, and orchestra. Part I of the oratorio gives musical expression to many and sundry Old Testament prophetic voices, from Moses and Miriam to Malachi. Part II explores the various voices and perspectives found in the book of Isaiah. Throughout the work, the prophetic voices sing the mighty acts of God and call God’s people back from unfaithfulness, using threats of punishment, but also exuberantly rejoicing in the promises of God’s steadfast love.

“Blow the Trumpet in Zion” is a tour de force for chorus, soloists, and orchestra. It begins as a Dies irae chorus, describing the dreadful day of the Lord. The soloists then provide further descriptions of that day of God’s coming. The soprano soloist entreats the people to return to the Lord, and in the final section, God promises to pour out God’s spirit on all people. The words are from Joel 2 and Malachi 3.

The full piano/vocal score of Prophet Songs and the orchestral score and parts are available from the composer at timothyhoekman@gmail.com.

Text

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm! Let all the people tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming soon: a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. The earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, the stars no longer shine. The day of the Lord is great and dreadful. Who can endure the day of God’s coming? Who can stand when God appears? God will be like a refiner’s fire. God will purify the people and refine them like silver and gold.

Return to the Lord with all your heart. O, my people, rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a solemn assembly, gather all the people and let them say: Spare your people, O Lord; do not make them an object of scorn. Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?”

This is what God says: I will pour out my spirit on all people; your sons and daughters will prophesy, the old will dream dreams, the young will see visions. I will pour out my spirit on all my servants, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

(adapted from Joel 2 and Malachi 3)

$1.50 per licensed PDF