Lifelong Coordinator

Mark Nabholz, Lifelong Coordinator

Three Low-Stress Anthems for Church Choirs: Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas

Spring is here, which means that it's time to start planning fall repertoire! Here are three anthems and a resource that you may want to consider as you look ahead to Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas 2018.

Thanks Be To Thee

SAB, piano or organ

G. F. Handel, arr. Anna Mae Nichols

Hope Publishing Co., A457

Utilizing the famous Largo aria from Handel's opera, Xerxes, this three-part anthem for thanksgiving provides a rare opportunity for the small choir to sing sustained lines with plenty of supportive accompaniment – and it can be learned with a minimum of rehearsal time. Vocal ranges are modest, and the text from an unnamed source is ideal for the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day:

Thanks be to Thee, Thanks be to Thee!

Thy holy name be ever blest, Glory, honor, and praise be Thine!

Thanks be to Thee, Thanks be to Thee!

Thy holy name be ever blest, Praise, adoration, we sing unto Thee.

Thy loving kindness doth forever prevail,

Tenderly guiding all those who come unto Thee.

Thanks be to Thee, Thanks be to Thee!

Thou art the King o’er land and sea.

Praise, adoration, we sing unto Thee.

While no recording of this particular setting is available on the internet, you can listen to the original aria source, sung by the incomparable countertenor, Andreas Scholl, here: https://youtu.be/N7XH-58eB8c

Comfort, Comfort

SATB

John Ferguson

Augsburg Choral Library, 0-8006-4635-5

Bright and dancing, this brief anthem is ideally suited to the first Sunday of Advent. Pachelbel's tune, FREU DICH SEHR, is given a charming treatment that includes a brief instrumental ritornello between verses that can be played either by keyboard or the preferred flexible instrumental trio of winds and tambourine. Don't let the ritornello scare you off – it is within the reach of average, amateur players.

The text is a paraphrase of Isaiah 40:1-5, in which the prophet looks forward with hope to the coming of Christ, with references to John's voice crying in the wilderness.

Preview here: https://youtu.be/Bbk1eagEjOw

The First Noel

SATB & keyboard

Dan Forrest

Beckenhorst Press, BP1857

For those already familiar with the superlative arrangements of Dan Forrest, it will come as no surprise that his setting of "The First Noel" is gracious to the voice, creatively accompanied, and broadly accessible to choirs of varied abilities. Essentially homophonic in texture, the alternation between women (SA) and men (TB) provides interest, warmth, and beauty; and the soaring soprano countermelody will make this an instant favorite with your choir and your audience or congregation.

Preview here: https://youtu.be/NRSqp4hoFVo

Title: The Shaw-Parker Book of Christmas Carols: Twenty-Four Collected Carols for Unaccompanied Mixed Chorus

           

Publisher: G. Schirmer, HL50481497

ISBN: 0-7935-1064-3

Two dozen classic sacred and secular carol arrangements by iconic choral personalities Robert Shaw and Alice Parker, packed between the covers of a slender paperback volume, provides a powerful resource for Christmas planning at school and church. Familiar carols such as "Fum, Fum, Fum," "The Holly and the Ivy," and "What Child is this" are supplemented with less familiar fare ("Susanni," "Touro-louro-louro!," "Ya viene la vieja").

At today's prices, purchasing a copy of each anthem separately, you will spend over $50.00, but the book retails at $15.95. Whether you purchase it for your full choir or not, I highly recommend having a copy on your book shelf for reference!

Lifelong Coordinator

Dr. Mark Nabholz, Lifelong Coordinator

Three Psalms for Church Choirs or Civic Choruses

Psalm 42, Op. 42 “Like As the Hart” (German or English text)

Soprano solo, SATB Choir, orchestra or organ

Felix Mendelssohn

Bärenreiter, ed. John Michael Cooper, 2014.

Mendelssohn (1809-1847) set nineteen Psalms to music during his brief career, and had 

a deep, personal connection to these ancient texts. This particular setting celebrates its 

180th anniversary this year, written in the spring of 1837 while he and his wife were on their honeymoon. Mendelssohn himself considered it to be his very best sacred composition, which is all the more impressive considering that he had just completed his oratorio, St. Paul  the year before. As with all of Mendelssohn’s music, you will find it inventive, gracious to the voice, and beautifully crafted. Well suited to developed community chorus or capable church choir. Duration: +-25 minutes.

Preview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0saNS3yLF0

The Lord is My Light and My Salvation (Psalm 27)

SATB (some divisi)

John Rutter

Hinshaw HMC1064

One of his most well-crafted anthems, John Rutter’s setting of Psalm 27 features inspiring vocal writing and a solo clarinet part that adds expressive, musical depth to the text. While this piece presents some challenges to an average church choir (your men must be capable of a well-blended unison), it is well worth the effort required. Duration: +-7 minutes.

Preview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaLtZNpmYGg

Psalm of Ascension

SATB (divisi)

Dan Forrest

Self-published. Available by direct order from the composer at www.danforrest.com.) 

This setting of texts excerpted from Psalm 124 and 126, for SATB divisi chorus and orchestra, was premiered by the Phoenix Symphony Chorus last spring.  A TTBB opening chorale leads into a fughetta section for the full chorus. Eventually both ideas combine to create an exalting fusion that will serve for many years as a festive concert closer. The accompaniment is orchestral (no keyboard reduction is provided) with two options: full orchestra or small orchestra with organ. Duration: +-6 minutes.

Preview here: http://danforrest.com/music-catalog/psalm-of-ascension/

Music and Worship

Slater Murphy, Music and Worship R&R Chair

Let There Be Worship, Let There Be Praise

SATB

Joseph M. Martin

GlorySound/Shawnee Press 35012630

One of Joseph Martin’s best texts, set to a compelling melody with creative harmonic treatments.  The song presents the reminder that all throughout the day, and in whatever circumstance, we can find opportunities to worship.  This setting works well with a student group.

At the Name of Jesus

SATB

Cindy Berry

Word Music 3010473168

For many, this beautiful selection has achieved “classic” status.  It is a wonderful paraphrase of Philippians 2:6-11, one of the Apostle Paul’s personal moments of worship as he, in hymnic form, digs deep regarding the theology of Christ.  It’s hard to believe Cindy wrote this song 31 years ago!  I’ve used this with many groups over the years.  The orchestration is superb. 

Wings of the Dawn

SATB

Linda Spencer

Shawnee Press 35025960

Based on Psalm 139, this well-crafted and thoughtful setting reminds the singer of God’s constant and unfailing presence with us, no matter how we may rise and fall in the turbulence of life.  I’ve used this with several student groups, each of which gained a great appreciation of the depth of truth contained in this song.  

Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace

By Paul B. Clark, Jr.

Crossbooks

I cannot highly enough recommend this text for today’s Music Minister or Worship Leader.  The central focus throughout the book is on leading your church to renewal in congregational singing.  Paul’s discourse on worship history and the theological background of why we do what we do informs all of his admonitions, suggestions, and passionate pleas.  Written by one of our leading thinkers and expositors, it has proven to be extremely helpful to many churches who have struggled with the chronic problem of disconnect between the platform and the pew.