Ever since I wrote this post with my top 50 favorite anthems for small church choirs, I knew I wanted to create a similar list for children's choirs.
This list includes only unison and two-part music.
There are some tried-and-true favorites and some newer publications, so I'm sure you'll see some titles that you recognize!
Choosing anthems is an individual process and everyone has their own approach. When searching for children's choir music, I tend to look for the following:
singable melody + good range
good text (rich meaning, age-appropriate, good declamation)
accessible two-part writing
interesting, but supportive accompaniment
teachable moments! (musical form, minor mode, new meters, etc.)
Now that you know a little more about my process, here is my Top 50 list!
Top 50 Favorite Anthems for Children’s Choir
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
General Children’s Choir Anthems
1. A Jubilant Song (Lightfoot)
2. Be Strong! (Wilkinson)
3. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel (arr. Patterson)
4. Gracious Spirit, Dwell With Me (arr. Parrish)
5. Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet (Bartle)
6. I See You, God (Burrows)
7. Look All Around Us, Then Join the Glad Song (Hopson)
8. Lord, How Wondrous Is Your Song (Patterson)
9. Love One Another (Nix)
10. My Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice (Buxtehude/ed. Burkhardt)
11. O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Patterson)
12. Pie Jesu (Lightfoot)
13. Sing for Joy, Sing Together (Patterson)
14. Song of Joy, Song of Praise (arr. Brighton)
15. Teach Us to Love (Patterson)
16. The Good Samaritan (Bailey/Mayo)
17. This Is the Day (Berry)
18. This Little Light of Mine (Patterson)
19. Your Servant I Will Be (Patterson)
Lent Children’s Choir Anthems (or any time!)
20. Forty Days and Forty Nights (Mayo/Adams)
21. God So Loved the World (Horman)
22. Guide Us, Lord (Patterson)
23. Lenten Love Song (Kemp)
24. The Lord Is My Shepherd (Moore)
25. A Prayer for Humility (Patterson)
26. Search Me, O God (Berg)
27. You Renew My Soul (Schram)
Palm Sunday/Easter Children’s Choir Anthems
28. A New Day of Joy (Schultz)
29. Antiphonal Alleluia (Brighton)
30. Christ Is Risen (Page)
31. Festival Alleluia (Pote)
32. Hosanna to the Lord (Mayo)
33. Jesus Is Alive! (Berry)
Thanksgiving Children’s Choir Anthems (or any time!)
34. A Psalm of Thanksgiving (Shaw)
35. All Things Bright and Beautiful (Page)
36. Alleluia, Allelu (Callaway)
37. For the Beauty of the Earth (Patterson)
38. Te Deum (Bedford)
Advent/Christmas Children’s Choir Anthems
39. Angels' Carol (Rutter)
40. Christmas Is Here, Sing Noel (Berry)
41. Dona Nobis Pacem (Lightfoot)
42. Gloria In Excelsis (Edwards)
43. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (Manor)
44. How Far Is It to Bethlehem? (arr. Music)
45. Joy to the World (Patterson)
46. Let Every Heart Prepare a Throne (Patterson)
47. Mary Rocking, Gently Rocking (Hopson)
48. Sing We All Noel! (Pote)
49. Song of the Shepherd Children (Raabe)
50. What Child Is This? (arr. Malvar-Keylock/Friedersdorf)
Everything you need to get started in one easy, printable packet.
Introducing The Planning Kit for Children's Choir Directors: a 22-page collection of printables, templates, and worksheets to help you get organized, evaluate new anthems, plan fun and engaging rehearsals, and teach with confidence.
Did I include your favorite? If not, please leave it in the comments below!
