Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
PURCHASE SCORE: laurenbiggsmusic.com/music-catalog/vidi-aquam
Joshua Howard, horn
Lauren Biggs, soprano
Sheena Mitti, alto
Selah Hoerger, tenor
Timothy J. Pepin, baritone
Lauren Hoffman, Hunter Peterson wine glasses
February 27, 2026
Munson Chapel, Azusa Pacific University
Program Note:
Vidi Aquam (“I saw water”) is a chant traditionally sung during the Easter season, symbolizing the life-giving water of baptism and the resurrection of Christ. In this reimagined chant, I take a darker approach. The horn solo reflects the tragedy of Jesus’ death, while the voices represent the Christian bystanders. At times, they cry out in shock as the soldier pierces Jesus’ side; at others, they whisper subdued alleluias. The prophecy is fulfilled, but their praise is quiet, held back under the weight of Roman oppression.
Harmonically, the choir sings primarily in ancient-sounding quartal relationships (chords built on fourths) while the horn solo floats above them, representing the divine presence of the Father grieving over the Son. At times, the horn lines are fluid and legato; at others, sharply articulated, expressing the anguish of Christ’s crucifixion. The second time through the piece, articulations are left to the horn player’s discretion, allowing them to bring their own interpretation to God’s grief. The piece deliberately sits in this grief, drawing focus on the text.
This piece was commissioned by Joshua Howard.
♬♩♪♩
BUY MY MUSIC: laurenbiggsmusic.com
MY LINKS: solo.to/laureliamadeus
BUY ME A COFFEE:
ko-fi.com/laureliamadeus
♬♩♪♩
PURCHASE SCORE: laurenbiggsmusic.com/music-catalog/vidi-aquam
Joshua Howard, horn
Lauren Biggs, soprano
Sheena Mitti, alto
Selah Hoerger, tenor
Timothy J. Pepin, baritone
Lauren Hoffman, Hunter Peterson wine glasses
February 27, 2026
Munson Chapel, Azusa Pacific University
Program Note:
Vidi Aquam (“I saw water”) is a chant traditionally sung during the Easter season, symbolizing the life-giving water of baptism and the resurrection of Christ. In this reimagined chant, I take a darker approach. The horn solo reflects the tragedy of Jesus’ death, while the voices represent the Christian bystanders. At times, they cry out in shock as the soldier pierces Jesus’ side; at others, they whisper subdued alleluias. The prophecy is fulfilled, but their praise is quiet, held back under the weight of Roman oppression.
Harmonically, the choir sings primarily in ancient-sounding quartal relationships (chords built on fourths) while the horn solo floats above them, representing the divine presence of the Father grieving over the Son. At times, the horn lines are fluid and legato; at others, sharply articulated, expressing the anguish of Christ’s crucifixion. The second time through the piece, articulations are left to the horn player’s discretion, allowing them to bring their own interpretation to God’s grief. The piece deliberately sits in this grief, drawing focus on the text.
This piece was commissioned by Joshua Howard.
♬♩♪♩
BUY MY MUSIC: laurenbiggsmusic.com
MY LINKS: solo.to/laureliamadeus
BUY ME A COFFEE:
ko-fi.com/laureliamadeus
♬♩♪♩
