Choral Music

Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive

SATB with piano accompaniment and optional children's choir, handbells

Approx. perf. time: 4:25

Prices:
     Choral octavos:
        PDF – $10.00
        Printed copies – $1.75 each
     Handbell score and parts:
        PDF – $10.00
        Printed – $12.00

Written primarily for use at Advent, this anthem is based on Mary's famous affirmation of faith, sometimes called the "Magnificat." This anthem can be performed with or without a children's choir (the sopranos taking the children's part), but it is definitely enhanced by the presence of the children's or youth voices.

There is also an optional handbell part available.

Unfortunately, although it has been performed several times at a number of different churches (since its premiere at Ramstein, Germany), I have never been able to get a decent recording, so the demo recording here is done with electro-acoustic instruments.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

SATB, a capella (or with optional piano accompaniment)

Approx. perf. time: 2:15

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.50 each

This arrangement of the popular song by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane was commissioned by the Sounds of Praise Singers of Newark, Ohio, for their 2007 Christmas season.

Intended primarily to be performed as an a capella arrangement, it also has an optional piano accompaniment for those groups who desire to use it.

I have no recording of a performance yet, so the demos available here are done with electro-acoustic instruments. The fermatas near the end are a little messed up on the a capella version, unfortunately (Finale's kind of quirky when it comes to playing back fermatas and such...).

Holy!

SATB with handbells and organ accompaniment

Approx. perf. time (std. version): 4:00
      (Adv. version): 4:20

Prices:
     Choral/Piano/Organ score*:
         PDF – $10.00
         Printed copies – $1.95

* Handbell parts are included only in the PDF version.

This anthem is slated to be the second in a collection of anthems titled Songs from the Revelation. The text is taken from the Revelation of St. John, chapter 4, verses 8 and 11. How do you invoke the ambience of heaven?

This anthem has two versions: the standard version and a somewhat more challenging and slightly longer advanced version. When ordering, please specify which version you want.

This piece has not yet been performed, but it is under consideration. Perhaps you would like to perform the world premiere?

The demo recordings presented here are done with electro-acoustic instruments.

Hosanna!

SATB with children's choir, piano accompaniment, and optional recorder descant

Approx. perf. time: 3:40

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.50 each

Suitable especially for Palm Sunday. This arrangement can be performed with or without a children's choir, but it is especially nice when done with. Its Jewish flavor makes it ideal for a Palm Sunday processional, complete with waving palm leaves.

Unfortunately, although it has been performed several times in a number of different churches, I have not been able to get a decent recording of it. So, the demo recording presented here is done with electro-acoustic instruments.

209 Kb

3.5 Mb

The Old Rugged Cross
(Were You There?)

SATB with piano accompaniment

Approx. perf. time: 6:00

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.60 each

This special arrangement was written for and premiered by the Vintage Voices of Granville, Ohio, for their Palm Sunday concert in 2007.

This anthem should be accessible to most SATB choirs, though it has its challenges. Overcoming those challenges has its reward, though, according to many members of the choir who premiered it.

The recording here is from the premiere presentation of this piece.

226 Kb

5.7 Mb

The Paschal Lamb

SATB cantata with instrumental accompaniment

This Holy Week (Easter) cantata is unique in that the text for it is taken entirely from the Old Testament. This work is an intriguing mix of classical and rock influences and is guaranteed to be not quite like anything else you've ever experienced. Powerful!

For more information, samples and demo recordings, see The Paschal Lamb.

Psalm 1 (Blesséd Is the Man)

SATB with piano accompaniment and optional flute solo and descant

Approx. perf. time: 5:15

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.50

This general-purpose anthem was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church at Bristol, PA, for the ordination of their new pastor, circa 1985. To my knowledge that performance was the only time this work has been performed, though I could not tell you exactly why. The reaction from the choir was positive, though they did admit that they found it challenging.

Unfortunately, I have no recording of that performance, so the demo here is done with electro-acoustic instruments.

242 Kb

Psalm 117

SATB with piano and optional instrumental accompaniment

Approx. perf. time: 2:35

Prices:
     Choral octavos:
         PDF – $10.00
         Printed copies – $1.50 each
     Instrumental parts packet:
         PDF – $10.00
         Printed – $12.00

Written as part of The Paschal Lamb Easter cantata, this is the only selection from that cantata that can be effectively used as a standalone anthem.

This short anthem, written in a lively 7/8 meter, combines traditional choral writing with a canon (round), for a joyful celebration of God's praise.

Can be performed with piano only, or with a variety of optional extra percussion and other instruments (instrumental parts available separately).

Thine Is the Glory!

SATB with brass, piano, and organ accompaniment

Approx. perf. time: 3:40

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.60 each

This arrangement of the popular hymn was commissioned and premiered by the musicians at Spring Hills Baptist Church in Granville, OH, for the Easter services in 2003.

For a little extra spice, you can add guitars, bass, and drums in the second and third stanzas. We did at Spring Hills, and it made for a nice blended style experience for all.

Unfortunately, I have no recording of that performance, so the demo here is done with electro-acoustic instruments.

O God, Our Help

SAB with piano accompaniment

Approx. perf. time: 3:07

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.50 each

This anthem was commissioned by the Chancel Choir of Centenary United Methodist Church in Granville, OH, for the beginning of their 2005-2006 choir year. They wanted something that they could learn quickly and easily, but that would still be presentable.

The recording presented here is of the premiere performance on September 11, 2005. The choir had only two rehearsals to prepare this before presenting it! Although there are a couple rough spots, you can see what might be done with it in a short period of time.

A Pure Heart

SAB with piano accompaniment

Approx. perf. time: 3:40

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.60 each

This anthem was commissioned by my good friend and fellow composer, Bill Vollinger. He wanted something for his choir to do that would use the principles of the compositional technique I call "equitonalism", be accessible, and run less than 4 minutes. (For details, see the dedication page in the PDF sample.)

Bill's choir at Church of the Savior in Paramus, NJ, premiered the work in March of 2004. It has since been performed by the Chancel Choir of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Granville, OH. While both choirs found the piece very challenging at first, both choirs found it worth the challenge and have since asked to do it again.

The recording here is from the presentation at Centenary UMC in the spring of 2006.

342 Kb

3.6 Mb

An Irish Blessing

5-part round with optional 4-hand piano accompaniment

Approx. perf. time: Varies

Prices:
     PDF – $10.00
     Printed copies – $1.25 each

Who knew a round could be so earthy, so complex-sounding, so—not simplistic?

This piece uses the traditional "Irish Blessing" text and sets it in a round that can be done in up to 5 parts. The accompaniment can be done with either 2 or 4 hands.

I wrote this as a spring concert closer for my middle and high school choirs to do together, when I was teaching. Because it is a round, it was relatively easy to teach in a short time. By placing my students in various groups around the auditorium, the audience was treated to a surround-sound blessing at the end of the concert.

I unfortunately do not have a live recording of this piece, so the demo here was done using electro-acoustic instruments.