O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel is a translation of the Catholic Latin text ("Veni, veni, Emmanuel") by John Mason Neale in the mid-19th century. The tune is taken from a series of antiphons from at least the 8th Century, but "Veni, veni Emmanuel" may well be 12th Century in origin.   The text is based on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel (Lit.: God with us). Matthew 1:23 states fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

The carol has inspired composers Respighi, James MacMillan, Arvo Part and rock group U2.

World Parts are provided with this score when purchased as a PDF download.  Instrumentation for standard and a number of alternate parts make this playable by almost any 5 piece brass ensemble:

Part 1 – Bb Trumpet (alt. C Trumpet)
Part 2 – Bb Trumpet (alt. C Trumpet)
Part 3 – F Horn (alt. Eb Horn, Bb Baritone T.C.)
Part 4 – Trombone B.C. (alt. Bb Trombone T.C.)
Part 5 – Tuba B.C. (alt. Eb Bass T.C., Bb Bass T.C)

To order the Gig Ready Brass Quintet Library, Volume V: Holiday #2, which contains this arrangement and 24 others, click here.