June 2003
Anthems for Harvest and Christmas	Show Menu

Some recommendations from Siobhán Kilkelly, Peter Barley, Ruth Maybury, Randal Henly

HARVEST

UNLESS A GRAIN OF WHEAT

Bernadette Farrell, OCF publications (can be ordered through Veritas). This is a versatile anthem, useful for both Harvest and Easter, and also flexible as regards resources. Verses can be in unison or SATB, and the refrain is easy to remember.

LET THE PEOPLES PRAISE YOU.

John McCann GIA publications (also Veritas). A good setting of Psalm 100 and useful for any festive occasion. Optional trumpet part. Verses need care rhythmically but can be sung by either solo or choir, and the occasional SATB harmony gives interest for the choir.

A STABLE LAMP IS LIGHTED

Music by Richard Shephard (available through RSCM). A carol which will guarantee a favourable response. Hymn-like, two of the verses can be sung as a solo or by a choir, and the last verse gives the sopranos a chance to soar. Organists beware — it’s in F sharp major!

THE EYES OF ALL WAIT UPON THEE, O LORD

Music by William Harris, published by Novello. A simple Harvest anthem but unfortunately it has long been out of print.

LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND

Alan Ridout, publ. Stainer & Bell. A clever arrangement of the hymn tune Monkland, with a natty little organ part. It's great fun and not too hard.

O TASTE AND SEE, John Goss
O LORD HOW MANIFOLD ARE THY WORKS, J. Barnby

Two favourites with the Howth choir. Relatively easy and with great scope for expression. SATB with the occasional bits for single parts. Both published by Novello

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
LOOK AT THE WORLD,

All three by John Rutter; SATB, with wonderful and contrasting accompaniments and with typical Rutter key changes every so often. Publ. Oxford. BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, C. Armstrong Gibbs, PLEASURE IT IS (2 PART), Cecil Cope, both from Oxford Easy Anthem Book. All are fairly simply harvest anthems.

THOU VISITEST THE EARTH, Greene
BENEDICITE, Naylor
THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING, Haydn
LET THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE O GOD, Mathias

CHRISTMAS

SEE HIM LYING ON A BED OF STRAW

This, which can be found in several books is a kind of Christmas calypso. It is easy, known to many, and worth doing by those who don't already know it.

SO GENTLE THE DONKEY

Publ. Oxford, available either in a two part version (usable in unison) or SATB (with piano or organ). Mayhew publish quite a few good, easy ones WHAT CHILD IS THIS, Andrew Gant, QUEM PASTORES, George Malcolm, VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST, George Malcolm

Some nice CAROL ARRANGEMENTS by John Barnard.

HE SMILES WITHIN and FLEMISH CAROL, both by John Rutter
These are from CAROLS FOR CHOIRS edited and arranged by David Willcocks and John Rutter.

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