On This Shining Night Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Prepare for Christmas with your church choir with some of these outstanding anthems and cantatas!
Amen! Tell It on the Mountain arr. Mary McDonald
In a relaxed, blues/swing style, “Amen! Tell It on the Mountain!” creatively combines two familiar spirituals, “Amen!” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” There are many soulful blue notes in the piano, and the accessible vocals are fun to perform, especially as they build to a big finish.
Breath of Heaven arr. Michael Barrett
An apex of contemporary sacred music, this popular solo now made choral, probes the emotions and sentiments felt by Mary as she ponders the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Heart-felt and filled with gentle beauty, this sensitively arranged octavo rises and falls like a prayer. Ideal for Marian emphasis or Advent services, this soliloquy of grace will become a favorite with your singers.
How Beautiful This Silent Night arr. Ruth Elaine Schram
Gentle and captivating, the beautiful text images are reinforced by subtle musical references to “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Ruthie’s melody is unforgettable.
Joy to the World arr. Lloyd Larson
This bold and exciting arrangement of “Joy to the World!” is worthy of both worship and the concert hall. The arrangement unfolds with striking harmonic color, fluctuating choral textures, and rhythmic interplay.
A Light Will Shine arr. Lloyd Larson
This energetic Advent anthem is based upon a famous passage from Isaiah: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.” Opening with lively syncopation in the accompaniment and easy vocals, it segues to the HOLY MANNA tune, which Lloyd creatively pairs with Charles Wesley’s “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
This Child by Mary McDonald
From a hushed, meditative opening to a powerful, praise-filled conclusion, “This Child” focuses on the identity of the baby in the manger and His mission to bring light to the entire world.
What Strangers Are These arr. Dan Forrest
The contemplative text of an old Scottish Carol explores the identities and relationships of the participants in the Nativity story. The SATB arrangement of a Scottish folk song includes a tender piano, flute and/or guitar accompaniment. Perfect for Christmas Eve.
With Open Hearts We Are Waiting by Pepper Choplin
“Emmanuel: our prayer is the same as the meaning of Your name. God be with us.” And with open hearts, we eagerly await our Emmanuel each Advent season. Choplin’s original is a lyrical and touching musical expression of our faith.
Bethlehem’s Child by Lloyd Larson & Victor Johnson
Using a blend of original and familiar music, Lloyd Larson and Victor Johnson who are church musicians like you, collaborated on this telling of the Christmas story from the vantage point that God’s ways are not typically our ways. Featuring all of the hallmarks of popular cantatas, from beloved carols and a scripturally based narration to opportunities for congregational participation and an optional full orchestration, this work also boasts the distinctive choral writing of two fine composers, an upbeat spiritual movement, and short optional female or male solos. May you welcome “Bethlehem’s Child” into your heart and your worship service this season!
On This Shining Night by Lee Dengler
The hauntingly beautiful introductory section of this new Christmas cantata from Lee Dengler and Susan Naus Dengler leads into the glorious majesty of “O Holy Night,” and sets the scene as the shining night when Jesus – the Light of the World – was born. The work is woven with newly-composed music and familiar carols, including “Joy to the World!;” “O Come, All Ye Faithful;” “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow;” “Rocking Carol,” and many more. This cantata is scored for choir (with an optional congregation participation piece) with piano accompaniment. The movements are separated by narration for one or two readers. An optional chamber orchestration is available for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, percussion, timpani, string quintet, and handbells. Performance suggestions, including dramatic use of candles and two possible endings for the cantata, are included in the choral book. This creative cantata, which includes energetic and upbeat songs as well as reflective and reverent pieces, promises to be a profound addition to your congregation’s Advent and Christmas observances.
For more quality suggestions for your church choir, click here to view our complete Sacred Choral promotion for Fall 2013, or contact us at 1.800.426.8742. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!