Easter Is Early This Year!
After a much-needed break following the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, I'm eager to begin rehearsals with my own church groups in anticipation of Spring, and I hope you are, as well. Ours is a sacred calling: we prepare our people to journey through the Lenten season, walk through the sorrow of Holy Week, and joyously await and welcome Easter morning.
If you're still looking for that perfect anthem to enhance your worship services, I hope you'll consider these offerings. May you find blessings and joy in the message and music!
ASH WEDNESDAY and LENT:
Touch Me with Ashes
Stacey Nordmeyer
Designed to provide a path of quiet reflection for the beginning of Lent, this fresh anthem is replete with moments of deep beauty. The bittersweet song is designed to work with groups of any size. Set in minor, the melody, mood and message of the octavo set the stage for the lessons of Lent. The inclusion of "Kyrie eleison" helps worship planners integrate the anthem organically into the flow of any contemplative service. Deeply moving!
Desiring God (A Seeker's Blessing)
Robert Sterling
SATB | Instrumental Pak
Filled with nuance and gentle colors, this choral has an impressionistic heart. The worshipful text, though ancient, rings fresh with relevant affirmations of our spiritual journey. Brief but memorable, this artfully crafted original composition is ideal for a blessing or musical transition during services.
Quiet Faith
Heather Sorenson
SATB | Choir Audio
The title says it all in this serene, reflective choral offering. Melodically appealing and replete with thoughtful choral sonorities, this worshipful selection reaches deep into the heart with gentle grace.
PALM SUNDAY:
All Glory Laud and Honor
Joseph M. Martin and David Angerman
SATB | Choir Audio
Classic hymnody is celebrated in this festive concertato-styled offering for Palm Sunday. Bringing choir and congregation together in praise, this unifying acclamation is a perfect service-opener and backdrop for the procession of the palms. Hand bells and brass add to the atmosphere of elegant grandeur.
Hosanna! A Procession Of Promise
Joseph M. Martin
SATB | Choir Audio
The pageantry of the triumphal entry sweeps into the sanctuary with this confident paean of praise. Adorned with an almost cinematic character, this anthem is the ideal curtain raiser for a traditional parade of palms. Larger groups will enjoy the festive orchestrations and more modest choral ensembles will sound full and rich with the sturdy piano accompaniment.
Let The Rocks Cry Out!
Lloyd Larson
SATB
Alive with rhythmic energy and the brilliant spirit of praise, this anthem is a wonderfully fresh approach for Palm Sunday. An invitation to worship and adoration, this up-tempo choral flourish will bring a joyful noise to this special service.
HOLY WEEK:
Tenebrae (A Service of Shadows)
Heather Sorenson
SATB
Tenebrae is a deeply symbolic, curated service designed to lead your congregation through the final hours of Christ's life on earth. Based on the ancient Tenebrae, the gradual extinguishing of candles produces increased shadows and ultimately darkness by the end of the service, symbolizing Christ's death. With the inclusion of the optional Lord's Supper, this is a complete 60-minute service that includes three choral anthems, instrumental duets, litanies, underscores, and full worship leader notes.
ScorePlay coming soon!
Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
John Leavitt
SATB | Choir Audio
A lesser-known American hymn is explored and expanded in this dynamic adaptation. Robust and energetic, the minor mode theme is a compelling setting for a lyric that celebrates discipleship and abundant living. An optional descant delivers a special "sparkle" to the last stanza before the triumphal ending adds an exclamation point to this noble worship anthem.
Vision of the Cross
Sean Paul
SATB | Choir Audio
This sacred tone poem takes a beloved tune and weaves it with a message of dramatic contrasts. The lyric is a testimony of salvation, rising and falling with vulnerable honesty. This unique offering allows the choir to truly share the essence of God's saving grace with the church.
EASTER:
An Easter Call to Praise
Joseph M. Martin (arr. Stacey Nordmeyer)
SATB | Choir Audio
An impressive Easter opener, this arrangement employs voices, handbells and brass in a quintessential gesture of praise! An antique hymn tune is given a bright new role in this approachable setting, presented with well-crafted parts for choirs of any size and ability.
Christ Is Risen Indeed! (An Easter Call to Worship)
Wes Hannibal and Diane Hannibal (arr. Stewart Harris)
SAB | Choir Audio
With a lilting musical quote from the Easter hymn "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," this moving introit captures the shining joy of Easter Sunday. Like a dance of life, the music sweeps through the soul with confident and jubilant praise. An excellent flourish for Easter worship, this anthem is arranged for success and will lead naturally into an opening congregational hymn.
Let the Trumpet Sound
Natalie Sleeth (arr. John Leavitt)
SATB | 2-Part | Instrumental Pak
A classic anthem gets a makeover, bringing its powerful gestures of praise to a new generation of church music directors. Brilliantly arranged and carefully curated for success, this is a piece you will turn to time and time again. Great idiomatic writing for trumpet adds a festive touch to the loft and makes this anthem useful from cathedrals to sanctuaries and concert halls. Combine both the SATB and 2-Part voicings for a multigenerational moment in your worship services.
English (US)