Enabling Transformational Experiences: Repertoire

One of my favorite things to do is search for repertoire for my ensembles. There is nothing like introducing a piece, rehearsing it, and have it transform listeners and singers. As a church musician, I also spend quite a bit of time connecting hymns, anthems, and liturgy to the theme, Scripture passage(s), and liturgical season of a worship service. At my church, the pastors sometimes choose a specific theme for a month instead of preaching on the Lectionary, depending on the season. In early January, themes were selected through Lent. At the time, peace was selected as the theme for Lent. It’s eerie how relevant that theme has proven to be.

A Leonard Bernstein quote comes to mind, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” With that in mind, I thought I would share some anthems I am planning on conducting in Lent or other anthems based on peace. All of the links lead to a good audio recording of each respective anthem.

It Is Well With My Soul. Arr. John Ness Beck. SATB and Piano.

https://beckenhorstpress.com/it-is-well-with-my-soul-beck-digital-download/

This arrangement is a very straightforward and musical setting of this hymn. The accompaniment has arpeggios throughout that in my opinion represent gentle waves of the river in the text. Both sopranos/altos and tenors/basses have solo verses. The harmonies are very satisfying. Towards the end of the last verse, there is a very effective climax before the anthem ends gently with the refrain.

Prayer for Peace. David Cherwien. Two-part Mixed Choir and Organ.

https://www.morningstarmusic.com/prayer-for-peace-cherwien-50-9209.html

In this original composition, both sopranos/altos and tenors/basses get the opportunity to sing the melody, which mostly covers the range of a perfect fifth, except for a few notes. However, within that limited range is a tune that has lots of possibilities for expression. This anthem would be effective as a standalone choir anthem, or an anthem to include the congregation.

God’s Peace. Words by Marva J. Dawn. Choral Setting by C.J. Adams. SAB and Piano.

https://www.hopepublishing.com/W3514_GODS_PEACE

Set to the melody of BEACH SPRING (Lord Whose Love in Humble Service), this anthem contains a profound text by Marva Dawn. It starts with the following words: “Come away from rush and hurry to the stillness of God’s peace: from our vain ambition’s worry, come to Christ and fine release”. All voice parts get to experience the melody at some point. There is also an SATB voicing of the piece.

Take Me to the Water. Arr. Rollo Dilworth. SATB and Piano.

https://www.jwpepper.com/Take-Me-to-the-Water/10010513.item#.Yh2M4TZKjvU

This anthem combines the spirituals Down By the Riverside and Wade in the Water with the original Take Me to the Water in a gospel style. While it doesn’t mention peace, I included this on the list because of the inclusion of Down By the Riverside, especially with the following words “Gonna lay down my sword and shield”. There is also an SSAA voicing of the anthem. Highly syncopated rhythms throughout make this a joy to sing and share with the congregation.

Lord, Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace. Jody W. Lindh. SATB and Piano.

https://www.choristersguild.org/store/cga612-lord-make-me-an-instrument-of-thy-peace/711/

This setting of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi includes a flowing piano accompaniment throughout the anthem. While technically SATB, much of it is unison, two-part, or three-part and all voice parts get to shine. This is a great anthem to work on breath support, staggered breathing, and shaping line.

Be Still. Karen Marrolli. SAB and Piano

https://www.morningstarmusic.com/be-still-50-6175.html

The text of the anthem is original by the composer and based on Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God” serve as almost a short refrain throughout the anthem. The piano accompaniment supports the choir well and helps to create a full sound in an SAB accompanied context. There is also a two-part and solo version of the anthem.

Have you conducted any of these anthems? What other anthems centered around peace has your choir enjoyed? Comment below!