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

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.

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/