Lo, How a Rose

One of the most lovely songs of the Advent/Christmas season is turned into a tender jazz ballad. An oft omitted verse is included (“O Flow’r whose fragrance tender…”) and a short soprano solo provides extra vocal texture. This flexible choral anthem includes chord symbols for jazz combo, but it can also be sung a cappella, as in the recording above by the Heinz Chapel Choir of the University of Pittsburgh. The orchestral accompaniment is also flexible, allowing full orchestra or just the strings to support the sound of the choir and piano.