Kingsfold Fantasia – Hakes

The Kingsfold hymn tune was published in 1893 in a compendium of English country songs; it is thought to date back to the middle ages. Ralph Vaughn Williams heard the tune in Kingsfold, England, and subsequently added the still-used harmony for use in the The English Hymnal of 1906 with the text I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. The tune is minor but most of the harmonization is major, making it a suitable choice as well for O Sing a Song of Bethlehem. This text appears in the current Methodist Hymnal using the Kingsfold tune, along with Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine and To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord. Kingsfold’s meter is Common Meter Doubled [1], making it a possible substitute for a great many texts.

Kingsfold Fantasia (Derek K. Hakes, 2017 listen) is scored for flute, bells/hand chimes, and piano. The interpretation is a rich exchange between the three voices.

Mikey Arichea is a recent addition to the bass section of the Chancel Choir. He is additionally an accomplished flutist, having tired of the tuba in high school.

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• [1] More on this another day.
• https://hymnary.org/tune/kingsfold_english