Music Notes for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, April 5, 2026.
Dr. John Michniewicz
The readings for Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, focus on Jesus’ Resurrection and the eyewitness accounts that form the foundation of the Christian faith. The First Reading, Acts 10:34a, 37–43, gives Peter’s bold proclamation of the Gospel to the household of Cornelius, emphasizing that Jesus, though put to death, was raised by God on the third day and appointed as judge of the living and the dead. The Second Reading, Colossians 3:1–4, presents a challenge to seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, reminding them that their lives are now “hidden with Christ in God.” Finally, the Gospel of John, 20:1-9 recounts that Mary Magdalene and the disciples came to the tomb, the stone was removed and the tomb was empty. Jesus had risen from the dead!
Sunday’s Opening Hymn is Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Worship Hymnal No. 516). The most famous of all Easter hymns, it is the quintessential entrance hymn for Easter Sunday. The hymn itself goes back to 1739, and was written by the great English hymn writer, Charles Wesley. Moreover, Wesley based his hymn on lyrics dating back to the 14th-century Latin text Surrexit Christus Hodie. The hymn tune, “EASTER HYMN,” first appeared in the 1708 collection Lyra Davidica. Musically, its repeated “Alleluias” add an exuberant and joyful response to each line of the hymn. The inserted Alleluias essentially allow time for the meaning of each line to be absorbed. Hymnologist Michael Hawn also observes that the melismatic Alleluia (many notes to one syllable) recalls even earlier Easter Alleluia gregorian chant settings. This grounds the hymn and places it in a historical context, connecting the present day singer to those of past generations, joining in a triumphal hymn to Christ’s resurrection.
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
- Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
- Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heav’nly King, Alleluia! Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
- But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
- Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal, as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, now his might confess, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Spirit blest. Alleluia!
Here is an exciting version of Jesus Christ is Risen Today, as sung in 2022 at Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ASLi_WPPyc
Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm: “Let Us Rejoice” sets Psalm 118 and is composed by Marty Haugen. Haugen, a contemporary liturgical composer known for his accessible melodic style, provides this setting of the day’s responsorial psalm. Psalm 118 celebrates and speaks of the “stone which the builders rejected” becoming the cornerstone, a metaphor for Christ’s rejection in the Passion and his exaltation in the Resurrection. Haugen’s setting utilizes a memorable refrain and melodically sung verses.
Refrain: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad; This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!
- Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s mercy endures for ever; Let the house of Israel say: “God’s mercy endures for ever.”
- The hand of the Lord has struck with power, God’s right hand is exalted, I shall not die, but live anew, declaring the works of the Lord.
- The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, the Lord of love and mercy has brought wonder to our eyes!
The Easter Sunday liturgy features a rare liturgical element known as the Sequence hymn. Historically, sequences were poetic expansions of the “Alleluia” chant used to prolong and extend the Gospel acclamation on major feast days. While many were removed during liturgical reforms, the Easter Sequence, Victimae Paschali Laudes, remains part of the proscribed liturgy, and a traditional and central part of the Easter Day Mass. Essentially, it serves as a dramatic dialogue and proclamation, inviting Mary Magdalene to testify to what she saw at the tomb. Sunday’s setting by James Biery for Organ, Brass and Choir, uses the first line of the hymn as a repeated refrain sung by all, contrasted with the traditional verses for the choir. In this way, all can readily participate in this traditional and expressive part of the Easter Sunday Mass. The Latin refrain text “Victimae Paschali laudes immolent Christiani” or “Christians, to the Paschal (or Passover) victim offer your thankful praises” places Christ as the fulfillment of the promised Messiah of the Old Testament prophetic tradition.
Easter Sequence, James Biery
Refrain: Victimae Paschali laudes immolent Christiani
- Christians, praise the Paschal Victim! Offer thankful sacrifice!
- Christ the Lamb has saved the sheep, Christ the just one paid the price, Reconciling sinners to the Father.
- Death and life fought bitterly For this wondrous victory; The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
- O Mary, come and say what you saw at break of day.
“The empty tomb of my living Lord! I saw Christ Jesus risen and adored! Bright angels testified, shroud and grave clothes side by side!
Yes, Christ my hope rose gloriously. He goes before you into Galilee.” Share the good news, sing joyfully: His death is victory!
Lord Jesus, Victor King, Show us mercy. Amen. Alleluia. Refrain.
At the Presentation for the 8:30, 10:00 and 1:00 PM Masses, the choir will sing
This Is The Day by K. Lee Scott. This anthem specifically echoes the narrative of Matthew 28. After a joyful proclamation that “Christ is risen,” followed by five Alleluias, the text tells of the women going to the tomb at “early light of morn” and hearing the angel’s message, “He is not here.” Scott’s composition is characterized by its melodic warmth and triumphant character.
This Is The Day
Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Refrain: This is the day the lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad, in it.
- Our glorious risen Lord has triumphed o’er the tomb;
Now this most joyous Eastertide dispels all doubt and gloom. Refrain.
- At early light of morn, the women went their way to
to Jesus’ tomb to honor Him that first glad Easter day. Refrain.
- But Christ no longer lay fastbound in death’s domain.
The angel said, “He is not here.” Let us this news proclaim. Refrain
Here is an excerpt of This is the Day by K. Lee Scott: https://www.jwpepper.com/s?q=this+is+the+day+k.+lee+scott&fuzzy=0&operator=and&f acets=fuzzy%2Coperator&sort=score_desc&page=0
At the 11:30 Mass, the choir will sing: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem, a famous Easter choral masterpiece by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924). Stanford, one of the foundations of the Romantic English choral tradition, sets this ancient text with exuberant “strains of holy joy.” The anthem vividly depicts “Judah’s Lion” bursting his chains and crushing the serpent’s head, providing a powerful musical illustration of Christ’s “victory over death.”
Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem, Charles Villiers Stanford. Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
Your sweetest notes employ,
The Paschal victory to hymn In strains of holy joy.
For Judah’s Lion bursts his chains, Crushing the serpent’s head;
And cries aloud through death’s domains To wake the imprisoned dead.
Devouring depths of hell their prey At his command restore;
His ransomed hosts pursue their way Where Jesus goes before.
Triumphant in his glory now To him all power is given;
To him in one communion bow All saints in earth and Heaven.
While we, His soldiers, praise our King, His mercy we implore,
Within his palace bright to bring And keep us evermore.
All glory to the Father be, All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee, While endless ages run.
Alleluia! Amen.
Here is the famous choir of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City, exquisitely singing
Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bQg88AODaQ
For the Communion meditation, the choir will sing the celebratory anthem, The Glory of Christ by K. Lee Scott. This selection draws its text from Revelation 1:12–16, describing the “living Christ” appearing amidst his Church with “countenance like burning light”.
This anthem emphasizes the enduring presence of the risen Lord within the community and the Eucharist.
You living Christ, our eyes behold, Amid your Church appearing,
All girt about your breast with gold And bright apparel wearing;
Your countenance is burning light, A sun resplendent in its might: Lord Christ, we see your glory.
Your glorious feet have sought and found Your own of ev’ry nation;
With everlasting voice you sound The call of our salvation
You search us still with eyes of flame, You know and call us all by name; Lord Christ, we see your glory.
O risen Christ, today alive,
Amid your Church abiding,
Who now your blood and body give, New life and strength providing,
We join in heav’nly company
To sing your praise triumphantly:
Lord Christ, we see your glory.
Here is a version of The Glory of Christ as performed by Brass,Choir and Organ at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg, PA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9flE3XF-c
Sunday’s final hymn Jesus is risen! Let us sing! is set to the 17th-century tune “LASST UNS ERFREUEN” which first appeared in Cologne, Germany in 1623. The melody, featuring repeated Alleluias, is one of the church’s most famous hymn tunes. The hymn tune was first published with the Easter text “Lasst uns erfreuen herzlich sehr” (Let us rejoice most heartily) in the Jesuit hymnal Ausserlesene Catholische, Geistliche Kirchengesänge (Selected Catholic, Spiritual Church Songs). This version, recently arranged by organist and composer Jeremy Bankson, gives the traditional hymn a sense of “breadth and majesty,” most fitting for an Easter celebration.
- Jesus is risen! Let us sing! Praise to the everliving King! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise him in song, ye Seraphim! Praise him with joy, ye Cherubim!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
- On this most holy day of days, Let us together sing his praise! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Raise joyful voices to the sky! Sing out, ye heavens, in reply:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
- To God the Father let us sing, To God the Son, our risen King! Alleluia! Alleluia!
And equally let us adore
The Holy Spirit evermore!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Here is the setting of the tune with an alternate text, “All Creatures Worship God Most High” As conducted by Jeremy Bankson at the First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln Nebraska. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQr38Kiwxlc