News & Views Friday, March 29, 2024

Shepherds, Tell the News! Wednesday, September 21, 2016

recommended by Judy H. and Jennifer F., Sacred Choral Specialists

Prepare for Christmas with your church choir with one of these outstanding anthems, carefully selected by our experienced Sacred Choral Music staff:

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne arr. Craig Courtney
This beautiful arrangement of the classic carol begins and ends with delicate simplicity building in between with a dynamic statement of the powerful third and fourth verses, including strategic a cappella sections. The truth of this wonderful anthem is worth singing about all year long. Don’t save it for Christmas!

March of the Wise Men arr. Phillip Keveren
The classic “As With Gladness Men of Old” has been set with great care and creativity to Bizet’s “March of the Kings” tune, resulting in an anthem filled with energy and pure fun. “We Three Kings” is also beautifully incorporated. Jubilant!

Lift Up Your Heads arr. Larry Shackley
Flexibly voiced and filled with lively call and response, Larry Shackley’s delightfully festive setting of PUER NOBIS is a quickly prepared selection perfect for the Advent season. “Lift up your heads, you mighty gates; the King of kings is drawing near.”

Behold the King of Glory by Mary McDonald
The richness of Christmas is seasoned with the Easter message in this reverent, powerful song. Gently contemporary and triumphant, this offering is inspirational and moving. It’s easily prepared and presented, yet deeply effective.

Sweet Little Jesus Boy arr. Molly Ijames
Lush sonorities abound in Molly Ijames’s inspiring setting of the Christmas classic. A lovely blending of solo and choir combined with an elegant piano accompaniment will distinguish this setting for years to come.

Mary Had a Baby arr. Lloyd Larson
As arranged by Lloyd Larson, this blues-gospel rendition based on the traditional Christmas spiritual is richly soulful and power-packed. The addition of the Adeste Fideles “O come, let us adore him,” enhances the drama while the dynamic rhythm parts heighten the impact of the retelling of King Jesus’ birth in a manger.

This Holy Night by Mary McDonald
Mary McDonald and Rose Aspinall team up for this sensational Christmas Eve selection which is part love song, part lullaby, part ballad. God made a promise that he would make a way, and this quiet example of trust still speaks to us today “on this quiet, silent night.”

Shepherds, Tell the News by Lee Dengler
Warm, joyful, and inviting…this new anthem offers your choir a creative means to proclaim the Christmas message with energy and celebration. After the statement of the main theme and chorus, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is creatively woven with original theme, adding an extra moment of unbridled joy.

For more quality suggestions for your church choir, click here to view our complete Sacred Choral promotion for Fall 2016, or contact us at 1.800.426.8742. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Judy H. 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 F. 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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