Tryin’ to Get Ready

Drawing upon musical styles from around the world, Janèt Sullivan Whitaker has created an Advent collection that's as colorful and eclectic as the Church itself.

Music that reaches beyond Advent into Ordinary Time
Born out of her work helping pastoral musicians prepare for this busy and spiritually significant season, the music has universal application and appeal, reaching beyond Advent into Ordinary Time. As Janèt explains, "Remaining attentive to the demands of our faith means being Advent people all year long. We wait and watch for the coming of the Lord, the Christ child who is born in our hearts, every single day. The work of making peace and "being ready" is ongoing."

Songs for liturgies, prayer, retreats and concerts
Most of the songs are perfectly suited for the liturgy, while others make excellent pieces for prayer services, retreats and concerts. No two of them sound alike. Renaissance-style instrumentals and bluegrass-Celtic hymns follow Gregorian chants and full-choir, full-throttle gospel numbers, surprising and delighting the listener at every turn. There's even an other-worldly setting of the Magnificat ("Sing Out, My Soul") that blends Native American and Middle Eastern drumming and chant.

O Antiphon settings, poetic song texts
Inviting us to "rise to meet the Long-desired One," "The Returning" is a charming bluegrass tune arranged for guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bodhran (drum). "Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus" is a captivating setting of the "O" Antiphons employing Jewish modes and melodic elements. "You Humbly Followed" is a touching tribute to Mary and proof that Janèt's talent for singing and composing is matched by her gift for poetic song texts.

Anchored by "Day of Peace," a powerful ballad
The collection's anchor, though, is "Day of Peace," an emotionally powerful ballad and one of her best songs to date. Arranged for piano, voice and recorder, it doesn't allow the listener -- or singer -- to remain passive in their longing for peace but encourages all to be peace-makers, to "work and pray" for the peace and justice our world so desperately needs.

Adds much-needed color to the Advent repertoire
Adding much-needed musical color to the Advent repertoire, Tryin' to Get Ready firmly establishes Janèt as one of the most gifted liturgical composers in the world today.

This songbook features choral parts including guitar and keyboard parts for the album Tryin' to Get Ready by Janèt Sullivan Whitaker.