Sacred
Austin, Elizabeth Scheidel
Christ Being Raised, Romans 6:9-12
“In all of her works, Austin uses an expressive, eclectic language…” (IAWM Journal)
The piece won First Prize in the National Federated Music Club Competition and is available from the American Composers Alliance.
Barnett, Carol
Eternal Life with Thee
The anthem is dedicated to Elaine Phillips, and was written in 1987. The composer describes the piece as a short, prayerful meditation.
The score is available from Stanton’s Sheet Music.
Bohun, Lyle de
Alleluia
Composed in residency at the Aspen Music School in Aspen, Colorado, Alleluia possesses ‘cutting edge’ counterpoint which appealed to Darius Milhaud, the composer’s mentor at the time.
Meditation
This sacred anthem was first performed on May 10, 1974 at the Mount Horeb Baptist Church, William R. Hawkins, director. It is the first piece published by Arsis Press (1974)
Thou Shall Light My Lamp
A bit scary at first glance, this Mother’s Day anthem propels itself forward with very few rehearsals. The text is by Loren K. Davidson.
Bolz, Harriet
How Shall We Speak?
A forthright challenge to all to put faith into action. An anthem of moderate difficulty.
The score is available from J.W. Pepper.
Sweet Jesus
Awarded First Prize in the National League of American Pen Women Biennial SAB Choral Competition in 1974. Singularly appropriate as an anthem for Holy Communion, Sweet Jesus is contemplative and inspiring
Frazier-Neely, Cathryn
Bless the Lord, O My Soul!
“This paraphrase of Psalm 103 is beautifully voiced for maximum effect from simple gestures. Singers can sing dissonances easily because the melody and harmonies move naturally and resolve organically. A fair amount of part-doubling makes this anthem possible for a chorus or ensemble of any size.” (The Choral Journal Review, American Choral Directors Association)
This sacred anthem is dedicated to Mark and paraphrases Psalm 103.
The score is available from the composer’s website.
Diemer, Emma Lou
God Is Love
This choral piece requires the chorus to speak as well as sing, and is in six continuous sections. There is an electronic tape part as well. It was composed for the 1982 Annual Arts Festival of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C. The American Organist review says, “If you have successfully tried anthems with electronic tape in the past, do consider this one. The anthem uses John 4:13-21 for text, and has two sections of choir speaking the text with tape background and two sections of choir singing the text with the tape doubling the voice parts.”
Funk, Susan
Vision of the Cross: Psalm 22
The text is Psalm 22, adapted. The piece is a dramatic and challenging setting of this powerful psalm.
Owens, Terry Winter
The New Jerusalem: Revelation, Chapter 21
Commissioned in 1991 for the sesquicentennial of Christ Church in Hudson, Ohio, the piece contains a spoken part for solo baritone.
Pierce, Alexandra
Resurrection, A Christmas anthem
Written in 1983 for high school chorus, the piece is richly harmonic with spirited rhythmic motifs, and flute and piano parts suitable for intermediate players. The text of this anthem links Easter with Christmas, death with birth, the holly making a crown of thorns. The instrumental parts are independent but provide the voices with reassurance of their pitches. The text is by Robert Lee Stuart.
The Road to Calvary
Written for adventuresome church or college choirs, the piece is lyrical with a few harmonic surprises, occasional changes of meter, and conservative ranges for the soloists. The solos for soprano and baritone are short (8 and eleven measures respectively), and both solos are accompanied by the choir. The text is by Robert Lee Stuart.
Shatin, Judith
‘Tis a Gift To Be Simple
The setting of this traditional Shaker hymn uses word painting to color the musical fabric.
The music is available from the composer’s website.
Vercoe, Elizabeth
God Be in My Head
This short piece based on the text of the beautiful and familiar prayer from the Sarum Rite is a choral arrangement of the piece concluding the composer’s monodrama on Joan of Arc, Herstory III.
The score is available from the American Composers Alliance.
Webber, John
Jesus Prayed for His Disciples
This anthem was commissioned by the choir of St. James Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., and written in 1982.
Whitworth, Kelly
Adoration
Adoration is dedicated to the composer’s church choir at the Byfield Parish in Georgetown, Massachusetts and was written in 1977. The choral writing is rhythmically straightforward—mostly homophonic—but with many metric changes from 2/4 to 3/4 and back again. There are also many instances of close harmonic writing to present modest challenges. Easy flute duets open and close the piece although there is one solo flute flourish that is more demanding. The percussion part is easy, calling for suspended cymbal, chimes, and bass drum.