Music In Worship

Slater Murphy, Music in Worship

A Festival Call to Praise

SATB

Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin

Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press, 35006628, Orchestration available

SSAA setting available

A delightful mixed meter setting of familiar texts commonly used to open times of worship and celebration.  I have used the first part of this piece as a processional, then repeating back to the beginning once the choir has finished ascending to the loft.  The constant meter changes will develop and sharpen the rhythm skills of your singers and instrumentalists.  The melodic rhythm augments to half notes at the middle section, providing a wonderful contrast, culminating in a huge crescendo into the final mixed meter passages.  The upper ranges of the final chords can be a bit of a challenge for the treble voices, but these can be revoiced if necessary.  The orchestration is challenging and will require detailed preparation. 

I Will Not Be Shaken

SATB

Jacob Park and Tommy Walker

Arranged by Cliff Duren

LifeWay Worship, 6-34337-286464, Orchestration available

I have used this anthem with student groups, adults, and senior adults.  It is a fabulously bluesy setting utilizing a great melody, carrying a fantastic text declaring the ability of God to serve as our refuge and deliverer in times of trouble.  Two soloists take turns stating the opening theme, then can be used to provide some duet call and response with the choir later in the song.  As the intensity of the music ramps up through each section, the choral director should be careful to adhere to the opening tempo, because the building momentum will tend to accelerate the basic pulse.  The orchestration is supportive and works well with a full instrumental group or with a small band.

Order My Steps (In Your Word)

SATB

Glenn Burleigh

Arranged by Jack Schrader

Hope Publishing, C5083

Also available in SAB and TTBB settings; Rhythm charts are available

I’m thinking right now that most everyone has done this song, but in case you haven’t, it is a classic.  I’ve enjoyed using it with a variety of groups; it always challenges me to reinterpret it based on the capability of the singers and the context for use.  If you have a duet team who is of a high caliber, you may want to consider merging the Brooklyn Tabernacle version into this setting, which utilizes the duet throughout, phrase by phrase, as a restatement of the choral theme.  It’s not hard to do and only requires a repeat of ten measures in the first section.  The song demands a full range of expression, utilizing the softest softs as well as grand moments like the dramatic crescendo into the final chorus.  I usually revoice the final line of the song if I want a stronger ending.  You will enjoy the experience of hearing your students learn to artfully express the beauty contained in this brilliant setting.

Sing!  How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church

By Keith and Kristyn Getty

B&H Publishing Group, Nashville

Keith and Kristyn Getty, the Irish performer/composer duo, are widely acknowledged as among the leading modern hymn writers today.  Keith helped write what has become today’s most popular hymn, In Christ Alone.  Their focus continues to be producing theologically rich, singable music for the church in this generation.  This book is filled with biblical, practical insight that, if put into practice, can help to renew congregational singing in your church.  It has been my personal experience that a church with a healthy congregational worship life will have the most opportunities to develop strong choral and instrumental ministries.  Sing! is a great resource to have handy when you are asked to explain why we sing.  After reading this book, the question changes from “do you have a voice?” to “do you have a song?”  There is much practical guidance provided, including the foundational argument that singing is for everyone, especially for families. 

Lifelong Coordinator

Mark Nabholz, Lifelong Coordinator

I've chosen to highlight three superlative settings by Eric Nelson, Director of Choral Activities at Emory University and conductor of the Atlanta Master Chorale, one of the premiere adult community choral organizations in the country.

When Memory Fades

SATB/piano

Arranger: Eric Nelson

Morningstar Music Publishers, MSM-50-8914

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/V_djkVTjdX8

Nelson's treatment of this graceful tune by Jayne Southwick Cool illuminates the meaning and emotional content of Mary Louise Bringle's rich text. Dealing with one of society's most prevalent end-of-life issues, dementia, this 5-minute work is suitable for either church or concert settings.

When memory fades and recognition falters,

when eyes we love grow dim, and minds, confused,

speak to our souls of love that never alters;

speak to our hearts by pain and fear abused.

O God of life and healing peace, empower us

with patient courage, by your grace infused.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

SATB/flute/cello/piano

Arranger: Eric Nelson

Morningstar Music Publishers, MSM-50-8970

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/TuV8RUH79tM

Yes, this is the gospel hymn tune with which you're familiar (SHOWALTER), but Nelson's skillful instrumental writing casts it in an entirely new and refreshing light. His fragmentary inclusion "Amazing Grace" (NEW BRITAIN) adds to the tranquil charm. Suitable for church or concert, approximately 6 minutes.

How Do I Love Thee?

SSAATTBB/piano

Composer: Eric Nelson

E.C. Schirmer, E.C.1.3375

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/iy32wqJZH3M

Published in 2014, Nelson's setting features an accompaniment that is supportive of the voices and is at the same time eminently expressive and pianistic. Divisi is limited, and this piece is appropriate for a wide range of ensembles: advanced high school, community, and collegiate choirs will find themselves challenged and gratified by this well-crafted +-7 minute setting of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous Sonnet 43.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Music in Worship

Slater Murphy, Music in Worship

Our God is God

SATB

Words by J. Paul Williams, Music by Joseph M. Martin

GlorySound/Shawnee Press, A8542, Orchestration available

This symphonic setting, with questions (“who holds the wind in His hands?”) voiced in the first part of the anthem, followed by answers in the second section (“have you not heard, do you not know, our God is God!”) is one of Joseph Martin’s best choral pieces for the church.  The orchestral accompaniment definitely adds to its beauty.  A moderately skilled church choir/orchestra will find this song to be within reach; it also would be appropriate for festival occasions or with senior high and university groups.  Martin also has scored this for TTBB.

Thou, O Lord

SATB

Lisa Ireland

Arranged by Carol Cymbala

Brooklyn Tabernacle Music, 0 80689 97127 3, from the collection I’m Amazed, Orchestration available

The words are lifted from a much-quoted Biblical text highlighting God’s protection and care during times of difficulty.  Even though those in opposition to you may torment you with troubling words and actions, the song continually states that the Lord is a shield and the lifter of one’s countenance.  The musical setting fuses gospel and jazz chords throughout.  If you are familiar with the Brooklyn Tabernacle style of worship music, you may already know that this song is one of their earliest classics.  It has become one of my favorites; still you will hear it used all over the world.  The orchestration is interesting and quite challenging in certain sections.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

SATB

Thomas Dorsey

Arranged by J. Reese Norris, not yet published

SSAA arrangement published by Alfred Publishing, Warner-Tamerlane

Reese Norris was commissioned this year to reset this arrangement for SATB divisi, by the Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir & Orchestra.  Hopefully we will see it published in a few months.  If you heard the SSAA arrangement he did for his Hernando Middle School choir, you will have some working knowledge of the beauty of this song.  It requires much attention to detail, discipline, sensitivity, and will increase the musicianship of all who take to heart this marvelous addition to the choral repertoire.  Do not miss this piece once it goes to press!

Worship Old & New

By Robert E. Webber

Zondervan Publishing House/HarperCollins

Churches of nearly every tradition are discovering the worship of the Biblical and historical traditions.  Many churches, representing most denominations, are recognizing that elements of worship preserved in other traditions are relevant to today’s worship.  These trends are giving rise to a convergence of worship traditions, blending worship old and new.  This is an excellent text for the student of worship who seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of the themes of Old Testament and New Testament worship, each of which guided the formation of early Christian worship.  As the centuries unfold, Webber describes and explains ancient and medieval worship, the reformation, and the free church movement.  He skillfully connects the strength of the historical liturgy to the current worship renewal emphasis, particularly to the importance of the arts in worship expression.  Church musicians will find this to be a valued resource in their ongoing efforts to maintain a sense of musical and theological balance.

Lifelong Coordinator

Mark Nabholz, Lifelong Coordinator

Three Sacred Anthems for Smaller Choirs

Tired of formulaic and uninspiring “manageable” anthems? Here are three that avoid predictable drudgery, but are still within the grasp of church choirs with 15-30 voices.

Title of piece: Fairest Lord Jesus

Voicing: SATB/piano

Season: General

Composer: Derek Hakes, arr. Craig Courtney

Publisher number: Beckenhorst BP1657

Description: A lovely new tune for a beloved hymn text, supported by a well-crafted pianistic accompaniment. The final verse soprano descant will be a delight to both your choir and congregation.

Listen: http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=8064422

Title of piece: Comfort, Comfort

Voicing: SATB/organ (or acappella)

Season: Advent

Composer: FREU DICH SEHR, arr. John Ferguson

Publisher number: Augsburg 0800646355

Description: This light and energetic setting of an old Calvinist “Genevan Jig” tune ushers in the Advent season with a dash of color that doesn’t overtax limited resources. A short ritornello between each verse can be played by C instruments or the keyboard.

Listen: https://youtu.be/Bbk1eagEjOw

Title of piece: Kyrie

Voicing: SAB/piano

Composer: Eric Unruh

Publisher number: Augsburg 080065708X

Description: This beautiful and accessible setting of the traditional Kyrie text rewards your choir’s modest investment with a tremendous return. An easy to learn anthem suitable for communion or Lenten use.

Listen: https://youtu.be/5McVMKlZoqw

Music in Worship

Slater Murphy, Music in Worship R&R Chair

When in Our Music God is Glorified

SATB

Words by Fred Pratt Green, Music by Charles V. Stanford

Arranged by Mary McDonald

Hope Publishing Company, C 5900, Orchestration available

This traditional text and tune is given a fresh new setting, by virtue of the formidable imagination of Mary McDonald.  You would expect the piano accompaniment to be expansive and interesting; it does not disappoint.  This anthem will work with a pretty skilled church choir, but it’s best usefulness may be for festival occasions or with senior high and university groups.  A few lines of Psalm 150 also are used as the song setting builds to its conclusion.

Forevermore (Psalm 145)

SATB

Travis Cottrell

Arranged by Phillip Keveren

LifeWay Worship, 6-34337-388922, Orchestration available

The text certainly is one of my favorite Psalms, and the original tune is extremely interesting.  I love the way unrelated keys are explored during the development section.  The music reminds me of a great John Williams film score; it has become one of my new favorites because of the masterful way this worthy text is supported throughout.  You will find Phillip Keveren’s orchestrations to be interesting and challenging.

Hine Ma Tov

SATB

Allan Naplan

Boosey & Hawkes, Hal Leonard, 48022844

This Hebrew text, Psalm 133, translates to “Behold, how good it is for brethren to dwell together in peace.”  The message is universal, crossing cultures, languages, and religions.  It is expertly composed in a traditional Klezmer style, incorporating lively syncopation with alternating sequences of major and minor modes.  Students love this piece.  The accompaniment is for piano and a pretty accomplished clarinetist.

Bach Among the Theologians

By Jaroslav Pelikan

Wipf & Stock Publishers

Okay, I confess that I am a Bach aficionado.  As an organist who has endured rigorous training for the purpose of experiencing the sheer joy of playing some of his major works, I am in awe of this composer.  Most musicians know of Bach’s devotion to God, but few understand how Reformation theology informed his musical output.  Pelikan delves into three main movements within the Lutheran theology of the 17^th and 18^th centuries as a framework for understanding Bach.  Specifically, he also demonstrates how Bach’s sacred music complements and illustrates these theological trends.  This text is not a light read, but it is only 140 pages in length, and in my opinion well worth the effort, the payoff being that the reader’s ears will be sharpened to hear and better understand the decisive undertones of Bach’s music.

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.