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.