AUGSBURG FORTRESS: New Recommendations for Organ Tuesday, January 16, 2024
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
Sing the Year Round: Hymn Settings for Organ arr. Alan MacMillan
This volume marks composer Allan MacMillan’s debut in the Augsburg Fortress catalogue. These settings work well as hymn introductions , but are equally as effective as short preludes or postludes. Titles include: “Dearest Jesus, at Your Word,” “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!,” “Ah, Holy Jesus,” “My Song Is Love Unknown,” “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds,” “Now to the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray,” “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” “O Spirit of Life,” and “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.”
Come & Praise, Volume 3 arr. Mark Sedio
This third volume is another collection of creative hymn introductions and voluntaries all written in an accessible style. Featuring a mix of hymn settings and free-composed works, these settings will work well as hymn introductions, preludes and postludes. Titles include: “All Depends on Our Possessing,” “As Newborn Stars Were Stirred to Song,” “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun,” “Break Now the Bread of Life,” “Built on a Rock,” “By All Your Saints,” “Christ, the Life of All the Living,” “Come Down, O Love Divine,” “Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove,” “Creating God, Your Fingers Trace,” “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding,” “He Comes to Us as One Unknown,” “Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song,” “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me,” “Love Has Come,” “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” “Loving Spirit,” “O Day of Rest and Gladness,” “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” “Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways,” “O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts,” “Praise the Lord! O Heavens,” “Prepare the Royal Highway,” “The Head That Once Was Crowned,” “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” “Trumpet Tune,” “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime,” “We Give Thee but Thine Own,” and “What Is This Place.”
Mixtures: Hymn Preludes for Organ arr. Robert J. Powell
This collection of accessible hymn preludes are a great way to welcome the congregation. Powell has once again created a set of arrangements that are sure to be enjoyed. Tunes include: “Calvary,” “Detroit,” “Ebenezer,” “Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott,” “Lasset uns mit Jesu ziehen,” “Machs mit mir, Gott,” “Morecambe,” “O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig,” “Sufferer,” and “Vater unser.”
Sweet Is the Calm: Organ Settings on Hymns of Comfort arr. Karl Osterland
From a time of isolation comes this beautiful collection by Karl Osterland of hymns that provide comfort. With a variety of tunes represented, these settings will be useful throughout the church year, as well as for healing services, funerals, and memorial services. Tunes include EVENTIDE, BALM IN GILEAD, SINE NOMINE, and VICTORY.
Organ Impressions for the Church Year arr. Jacob B. Weber
Jacob B. Weber has crafted a collection of fourteen organ settings useful throughout the church year, some with optional instrumental parts. Titles include: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound,” “Away in a Manger,” “For All the Saints,” “In Heaven Above,” “In Our Day of Thanksgiving,” “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” “Not unto Us,” “O Zion, Haste,” “On Christmas Night,” “Salvation unto Us Has Come,” “Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels,” and “We All Believe in One True God.”
For All the Saints Vol. 2: Hymn Preludes for Funerals arr. Robert A. Hobby
Here is a long-awaited sequal to Robert Hobby’s first volume. A great help to church musicians, Hobby offers hymns appropriate for memorial and funeral services into exceptionally well-crafted and fluid arrangements that can be learned in a snap. A must-have for beginner and expert alike! Tunes include: “Den signede dag,” “Hanson Place,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Kuortane,” “Nun danket alle Gott,” “Resignation,” “St. Anne,” “Thompson,” “Toplady,” and “Vruechten.”
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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.