Courtney,

As far as composers who offer their music free online I think Sally DeFord is one of the best, you can find her at defordmusic.com. Also, check out the Choral Public Domain Library, cpdl.org.

not free, but great places to look for used choir music and a reduced cost...

- www.rejoicemusic.net

- youngsmusic.com

- themusiclibrary.com

 

Hope that helps!

David

Hi Courtney,

I would highly recommend checking out St. James Music Press at www.sjmp.com. You can subscribe at the annual fee of $139.00 and gain access to their entire library, which is quite large. You also have the legal rights to print out copies for you and your choir. They have a good variety of musical genres, and they also have children's 2-part anthems, some of which can be used with your adult choir. They also have some of the Royal School of Church Music material, which is always well-written for the voice. Finally, they have art pictures as well as prayers which can be used in your rehearsals or service bulletin. Good luck.

Mark Downey

www.cpdl.org  Incredible collection as mentioned above and all free to download and share.

 

www.imslp.org is also very helpful and scrupupous about copyrights, which is always important.

 

www.thecatholicchoirbook.com - The Catholic Choirbook Anthology 1 and beginner's Gregorian Chant books, also all free to download and share.

 

Hope that this helps!

 

noel jones, aago

Courtney,

It's great that you are looking for new material. Even favourite pieces can benefit from being rested for a while.

Free online downloads are one way of getting repertoire for little outlay, but there are others.
You could discuss with your singers and then choose an album of anthems. There are some that feel like a complete library in one volume, like "English Church Music, Vol 1" and "New Church Anthem Book", both by OUP, or the "New Novello Anthem Book". If even half the pieces appeal, the cost of the book will not be much above the cost of the photocopying. You also get a nicely presented and well edited book, in a time-honoured format that is convenient to store and to sing from. If your singers agree, they may be willing to buy their own copies and even take them home for extra practice.

Next, speak to some of your counterparts in neighbouring churches. Many organists and conductors have the skills to write music of a remarkably high standard. Every Sunday they improvise pieces that amateur composers would be proud of. Often, because they don't also have the computer skills to put soft copies online, the pieces remain unheard outside their home churches. Look on the fundraising CDs in the bookstall to find some local gems. The director/composer is often very pleased to lend or give you a set.

But there is a place for for online downloads. Contributors to CPDL are very generous with their time. Choralnet has a list of free download sites here: http://www.choralnet.org/list/resource/1939
And the Choralnet Composition Showcase has some music that is free to download for worship.

I hope you find something to your liking.

   Nigel.
 

Courtney,

We are doing a "Clean Out" of our extensive library at the Cathedral. Once we examine things, I would be more than happy to let you know what's there.

My boss, John Schaefer, would probably be more than happy to make the donation to you all! Since I'm on duty this week, I will check tomorrow and send you a personal message.

 

Is your church willing to provide you with Music/Book Allowance?

There's the Small Church Buidget Challenge. The question would be if they want to have some good things to sing, and increase the library, is there willingness to offer a Music Allowance?

 

The St James link is also wonderful, that you were given before. Not only are their pieces very singable and practical, but they are really lovely and and well-written! We use a lot of SJMP music at our Cathedral!

 

Desiree Hines

The Isabel Curdy Endowed Organ Scholar

Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Kansas City, MO

www.ghtc-kc.org/choirs/