January 2003
Some Suggestions for Lent and Easter Music	Show Menu

ALL IN AN APRIL EVENING

Hugh Roberton, 1939, available for two parts or for SATB, pubi. Curwen. This short and well-known anthem is not specifically for Holy Week, but with its quiet and solenm style, and with reference to the cross, could be quite suitable. Technically it is quite straightforward, with plenty of scope for expression.

Randal Henly

MORTE CRISTE

This is a 1965 Welsh setting, by Emrys Jones, of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and was originally published by Lawrence Wright Music Co. Although written for male voice choirs, it is quite suitable for SATB choirs and is very appropriate to Holy Week. Technically it is not difficult, but with splendid harmony, it does benefit from having all four parts. There are short interludes between the verses, the final one leading up to a forte last verse. The Howth choir enjoyed performing it last year and there were several appreciative comments from the congregation.

Randal Henly

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

This SATB chorus (or alternatively, a quartet) from Stainer’s Crucifixion is very suitable for Holy Week. It is not just as easy as it might appear to be, and a nucleus of competent singers is needed to carry it through. It is marked “unaccompanied” but a 4- part accompaniment is provided, which would be prudent to use with an amateur choir.

Randal Henly

HOSANNA FILLIO DAVID

This plainchant is suitable for Palm Sunday. It can also be sung by a very small choir or by a soloist, at any pitch, with or without accompaniment. The organ can simply double the singer(s) or some simple chords could be improvised. It is suitable as an Introit or Gradual. The music can be found in the Graduale Romanum. I will be happy to supply a handwritten transcript in modern notation to anyone interested. The text is in Latin. I could not make a translation with the right number of syllables to correspond to the music. Anyway I think everyone knows what Hosanna means. As the text is very short the priest can translate it for them if they dont! Of course if you have the resources to sing the Weelkes setting....

David Bedlow

O FILII ET FILIAE

This is one of the best (and simplest) anthems for Easter and can be found as Hymn No 279 in the new C of I Church Hymnal. It can be sung by a very small choir (minimum of two) at any pitch, with or without organ, with the accompaniment in the hymnbook or with an alternative one (I think the harmonisation in the hymnbook is a bit crude). As suggested in the book you can select stanzas to suit the Readings - you dont have to sing them all. It can be sung as a Gradual or Communion.

David Bedlow

EASTER ANTHEM

This is a setting by Jack Schrader. The music is from Lyra Davidica and is by Anne Herring. It is a simple piece for SATB. As with most easy pieces a lot can be put into it. A choir can get their teeth into it. There is great changing from f to mf to mp and then finally finishing off with a rousing if My choir thoroughly enjoyed learning and finally giving a performance of it on Easter Day.
©1974,1988 Latter Rain Music.
Hope Publishing Company

Ruth Maybury

CHRIST IS RISEN.

This anthem by J. H. Maunder may be to some people, “an old one” but sometimes it is nice to bring old things back into circulation. This is an ‘old’ piece as the copy I have is priced Four Old Pence! The words are from Hymns Ancient & Modern. It is for SATB. There is plenty of changing tempo and it is great for a choir to put their musical talents to the test. The accompaniment gives the organist plenty to do! The anthem should be sung with gusto for the beginning section and then the middle section becomes quieter. The last section gets the choir working up to a great finish all parts singing the same note!
© 1892 by Novello, Ewer & Co.

Ruth Maybury

COME, YE FAITHFUL (SATB Hymn Anthem)

R.S.Thatcher Oxford Easy Anthems E.11 Verse 1 in Unison; organ accompaniment upper notes duplicating the voices. Four-bar interlude between verses 1 and 2; V. 2 Sopranos with an independent organ ace. but with A/T and B singing a two-part four-bar “Alleluia!” under each alternate line of the verse. V.3. T & B sing the tune in unison but S & A sing a two-part four-bar “Alleluia!’ above each alternate line with an independent organ accompaniment. Quite easy once the choir gets the hang of it.

Donald Maxwell

EASTER BELLS (SATB) Gerald E

Brown based on the French folk tune “Au Clair de Ia L~une” Pub: Basil Ramsey 1005 Verse 1 is Unison with an Independent bell-like accompaniment. V. 2 changes to the minor key with a sustained accompaniment. Line 1 sopranos only; line 2 Basses only; lines 3 & 4 SATB. V. 3 goes back to the major key. S & A sing two-part staccato “Ding! Dong!, Ding! Dong! Ding!”s sprinkled over T & B singing the words to the original tune All accompanied by a light bell-like organ part moving in quavers ending with the last four bars sustained SATB while the quavers continue on the organ. The last bar consists of a solitary 32 ft. pedal note! Ideally it should be conducted. Requires a fair amount of rehearsal for the choir to get the feel of it if they have to make their entries unassisted by a conductor. A bit of a ‘pot-boiler’ but fun to sing and to play.

Donald Maxwell

THE EASTER SONG OF PRAISE

(Exultet) (SATB) Richard Shephard RSCM S.358A V.1 Unison with an independent organ part. V. 2 SATB unaccompanied ad lib. otherwise the organ duplicates the voice parts. V. 3. Mostly Unison with an independent organ part ending with some division in the last few bars. Not very difficult.

Donald Maxwell

DARKNESS IS GONE (SAB, Oboe, Organ and optional congregation)

John L Bell G.I.A. Publications G-4385 The first 16 bars consist of an organ and oboe introduction but if you don’t have an oboist you can either adapt the oboe into the organ part or omit the intro altogether. There are six verses. 1, 2 and 4 are Unison with the organ mainly duplicating the haunting and catchy melody. V. 3 and 5 are S.A.Men with an oboe descant (if you have one). V 6 is Unison with an oboe descant. Quite simple; almost hymn-like; a good one if rehearsal time is limited. Having an oboist will make all the difference but it’s still quite effective without the oboe.

Donald Maxwell

<<Previous | Next >>