News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

New Church Anthems for Spring 2016 Friday, February 05, 2016

recommended by Judy Henry and Jennifer Fry, Sacred Choral Music Specialists

It may still be cold and snowy outside, but it’s certainly not too early to be planning your choral anthems for this spring! We have carefully chosen these pieces to be appropriate for a variety or worship styles and services throughout the coming months.

For the Lenten season and Holy Week, Mercy is an excellent choice. A powerful, poignant song of confession combined with a plea for Mercy, “Kyrie eleison” in ever increasing complexity and voice layering. Scored for SATB with piano accompaniment. Suitable for any time of introspection and reconciliation and particularly appropriate on Maundy Thursday. In another option, Lloyd Larson brings us to the garden in Gethsemane, combining chilling music with Susan Boersma’s compelling text to express Christ’s final plea: “Abba, take this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord is a spirited Palm Sunday processional. This anthem includes the first verse of “All Glory, Laud and Honor” for the congregation to participate, as well as an optional children’s choir part.

A splendid Easter opener, Ring the Easter Bells with Gladness joins choir and congregation in a mighty acclamation of the resurrection of Christ. Using a prominent hymntune makes this an almost instantly learned piece in the classic “Fanfare and Concertato” format. Each verse receives its moment, and the anthem is bookended by choral and brass flourishes, all creating an exalted effect!

For other Sundays this spring, try I Surrender All – this sumptuous setting of the classic hymn from gospel’s golden age is an example of Victor Johnson at his artistic best. An elegant piano accompaniment surrounds a stunning a cappella verse, creating a musical contrast that will be inspiring to hear and sing. Other excellent options include O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (a powerful and majestic new setting of the text), Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled (a soulful Mary McDonald gospel anthem), and Give Me a Song (an earnest new text set to the hymntune GERMANY).

Did you miss out on our Sacred Choral Music Reading Session? If you’re interested in receiving a packet from this year’s clinic (including these and many more selections for spring worship), please contact us!

You can also click here to view our entire Sacred Choral promotion for Spring 2016, or visit our Virtual Workshop. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Judy Henry has been working in Stanton’s Choral Department since 1975. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University, and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University. A member of the Grove City Chamber Singers, Judy also enjoys reading and spending time with her four grandchildren.

Jennifer Fry is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has worked at Stanton’s for over 14 years specializing in Sacred Choral, Classical Vocal and Handbell music. Jennifer is a soprano section leader in the Chancel Choir at First Community Church in Columbus Ohio, and is also the founder, Artistic Director and bass bell ringer for Handbells Columbus.


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