2014 Reading Session Picks: Children's Choir

Last week, I shared some of my favorite (new!) anthems for adult choir. Today, I'm sharing my reading session picks for children's choir!

2014 Reading Sessions: Children's Choir Anthems

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Guide Us, Lord (Mark Patterson)
Unison/two-part Choir with Piano and optional Viola

The text for this anthem is the well-known Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester. Wonderful, reflective piece - would be great for Lent.

Sing for Joy, Sing Together (Mark Patterson)
Unison/two-part Choir with Piano and optional Flute and Finger Cymbals

Fun! Great song of praise for young singers any time of the year.

How Far Is It to Bethlehem? (arr. David Music)
Unison Choir with Piano

Beautiful setting of this lovely tune, interwoven with "Away in a Manger."

I See You, God (Mark Burrows)
Unison/two-part Choir with Piano

Great text and lovely melody - "Who says you're invisible? I see you all around..." Perfect for young, inquisitive choristers!

What Child Is This? (arr. Melissa Malvar-Keylock and Jill Friedersdorf)
Unison, two-part, or three-part Choir with Piano

Simple, but beautiful setting of this classic carol.

I’d love to hear from you:

What are your favorite children's choir anthems?

2014 Reading Session Picks: Adult Choir

It's July 9, which can only mean one thing—it's time to start listening to Christmas music!

As a church musician, I do a lot of planning in the summer, especially for Advent and Christmas.

We attended a number of reading sessions at Lake Junaluska a few weeks ago and came home with a stack of our favorites.

Here are my top 5 (new!) anthems for adult choir:

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

2014 Reading Sessions: Adult Choir Anthems

Sweetest Music, Softly Stealing (Elaine Hagenberg) SATB Choir with some divisi with Piano

Lovely text and gorgeous setting by a new name in church music—Elaine Hagenberg.

The Work of Christmas (Dan Forrest) SATB Choir with some divisi, a cappella

Beautiful text by Howard Thurman and lovely setting by Dan Forrest. Great for the Sunday after Christmas or during Epiphany.

Pilgrim Song (arr. Lloyd Larson) SATB Choir with optional Flute

The adult choir at the Lake did an arrangement of this American folk hymn that was gorgeous but beyond the capabilities of most church choirs. Looking for something a little simpler? Here is a very nice, accessible arrangement by Lloyd Larson.

The Wexford Carol (arr. Howard Helvey) SATB Choir with Piano

This is a great setting of a classic, beloved carol. I love Howard Helvey's arrangements! Check out his arrangement of Ride on King Jesus, if you don't know it.

Thou Who Wast Rich (arr. Molly Ijames) SATB Choir with Piano

A lovely setting of a lesser-known Christmas carol, with text by Frank Houghton (based on 2 Corinthians 8). Beautiful!

I’d love to hear from you:

Would you use any of these anthems with your choir? Which one is your favorite?

Next up: my favorite new anthems for children's choirs!

New York City in Black & White

I love visiting the city at Christmas time: the lights, the tree, the hustle and bustle - I love how these pictures turned out.

We took the train in for a day between Christmas and New Year's and saw all the sights: Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, and M&M World (naturally).

We also saw "Once" on Broadway - have you seen it? We saw the film several years ago and loved the music. The theme song is "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Listen to it here. :-)

The show was really great. All the actors and actresses are musicians and when they weren't playing as part of the scene, they sat off to the sides as "the band."

If you have the chance, I definitely recommend the Broadway version of "Once" but a Netflix-night-in is also a good option!

Happiest of Holidays

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a joyful New Year!

The Music of Christmas

This week always seems to catch me by surprise. I mean, I know it’s coming. I’ve been planning for Christmas since July. And yet, here it is with its three service bulletins, special music, last-minute meetings, extra rehearsals, and the like. Yes, it’s a busy time but what a privilege it is to share music in worship! I am thankful for a semi-light work week: only two private lessons, one afternoon of juries instead of two class periods, a short break from children’s choir, and time to practice and prepare for two final choir rehearsals. Yesterday, I realized just how much music I wrote into the services this weekend and it felt a little like “The Twelve Days of Christmas:”

- One organ solo - Two choir anthems - Two ensemble anthems (I get to sing!) - Three pieces of special music to accompany (flute, saxophone, and voice) - Four pieces of service music - Four piano solos - Six hymn harmonizations - Eight Christmas hymns - Ten new organ registrations - __ hours of practicing (do I want to count?)

A few weeks ago, Steve and I attended the Lessons and Carols service at Marsh Chapel at Boston University. Gosh, I love Lessons and Carols. The service was a beautiful reflection of this sacred season and the musical selections were gorgeous (and quite unique – Arvo Pärt, anyone?). Led by an exceptional conductor, Scott Allen Jarrett, the Marsh Chapel Choir was an inspiration. I came home determined to dig up a copy of David Willcocks’ carol arrangements (and what do you know, I found two volumes!) I love adding fresh harmonies to those traditional favorites of the season.

As crazy as the preparations can be are, I love being a part of the rejoicing, the reliving, the retelling of Jesus’ birth. I love hearing the whole story from beginning to end. I love hearing the congregation sing their favorite hymns. I love seeing the Sanctuary grow dark around me and then see the light return as the candles are lit. I love sharing the message of Christmas through song. I love the reminder that God is the Alpha and Omega, the victory in my life, evermore and evermore.

Image Credit: Lauren Chester

Ode to the Choir

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the choir, Reminders to smile, breathe deeper, think higher. Their music was filed and robes hung with care, In hopes that the New Year would soon be there.

The altos were nestled all snug in their pew, Waiting for Steve to give them their cue. The row full of basses, there in the back, Had just settled down for a long sermon nap.

When out in the Narthex there arose such a clatter They sprang from their seats to see what was the matter. Away down the aisle, they flew in a flash, Peering out windows and then with a crash–

They turned on their feet and looked up at the loft, As light filled the room and voices grew soft. When what to their wondering ears should they hear, But strains of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.”

The band of bright seraphim amidst brilliant light, The choir members gazed at the beautiful sight. With rich, joyful voices, e’en closer they came, Until they heard them call out by name:

“Come, Gretchen and Carolyn, Doug, Steve, and Anne, Come, Bobbie and Gloria, Don, Dale, and Pam! Come, Ellen and Pat, Dave, Bart, and Peg, Come, Diane and Dick, Ed and Gregg!

To the top of the mountain, and down by the lake, Sing with a smile, for goodness sake! For this is the Message and to this we are called, Now, sing noel, sing noel, sing noel, all!”

Their eyes–how they twinkled! Their dimples, how merry! Their cheeks were like roses, their robes, red as cherries! Their mouth shapes so round, their vowels, so pure, As they sang from their hearts, sweet music, for sure.

The choir, they hustled to join the bright band, And the singing continued at the wave of Steve’s hand. For there in that moment, the choir stood singing, With the angel band’s voices in unison ringing.

They remember with fondness, that white, snowy day, When the bright angel band a visit did pay. Now singing in worship, their voices of light: “Happy Christmas to all on this silent night!”

Ashley Danyew Copyright 2011 Based on "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore

Evermore and Evermore

Sometimes, days seem to last forever. Sometimes, things don’t come together like I think they should. Sometimes, I let myself get beaten down by people who criticize what I do. Sometimes, I get lost in the bulletins, the extra rehearsals, the folders of music, and the long staff meetings. Sometimes, I’m not very good at showing grace.

The choir is diligently working on a gorgeous arrangement (Jay Rouse, for all you choir directors out there) of one of my most favorite Christmas hymns – “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (listen here).  Although we spent rehearsal worrying over notes, struggling with the 6/4 meter, and dealing with quick page turns, I was reminded of the power behind these words and the reason for which we are singing when I re-read the text:

Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending he;
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

Before the world began, He was.  He knows my past, my present, and my future.  He is the source of life.

O ye heights of heaven adore him;
Angel hosts, his praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before him,
And extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore!

What else can we do but sing His praises?  Let no tongue on earth be silent… let every voice sing out!

Christ, to thee with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
Hymns and chant and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be;
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!

As much as I try to change my expectations . . . people still disappoint me.
As much as I try to be prepared at all times . . . I will never know exactly what the future holds.
As much as I try to hold back . . . I still find myself saying the wrong things at the wrong time.
As much as I try to be professional in what I do . . . people will still find reason to criticize me.

And yet, we are called to let our praises be unwearied amidst our weariness.  To Him be honor, glory, dominion, and eternal victory – victory over the things I say, victory over the actions I take, victory over the people who try to discourage me, victory over me.

What an overwhelming sense of peace this brings to my heart tonight as I write.  Wishing you this type of peace this season.

Image Credit: personal

Christmas Time is Here

With Turkey Day behind us it seems the whole world has turned to Christmas and the upcoming holiday season with gusto. The radio stations are playing solely holiday tunes (though, I admit, I gave up on them after hearing "Dominic the Donkey" today); the church is decked out with trees, wreaths, candles, and bright red bows; and our tiny P.O. box is filled to the brim every day with cheery catalogs. It's a joyous season and yet it's also the busiest month of the year!

Between extra meetings, special bulletins, long choir rehearsals, finals, shopping, wrapping, and traveling, I feel like I'm holding on for dear life some days. It's hard not to get carried away in the hustle and bustle! In moments like these, I try to remind myself to take life one step at a time, to prioritize what's most important, and to keep smiling through it all. Part of that "grace not perfection" mantra is taking time to admire the red and green decorations in the Pharmacy window on my way to work instead of speed-walking down the sidewalk, spending time in the evening addressing Christmas cards (they're black and white and so us!) instead of fretting over the bulletin formatting, taking a Saturday morning to bake Butter Cookies (a family tradition) instead of sending emails, and planning a few days of escape with family instead of sitting at home planning for the Spring.

This season, though busy and full of opportunities to feel overwhelmed, I choose peace. I choose thankfulness. I choose joy.