Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.930752

Composed by Andrew Schneider. Baroque,Christian,Classical,Contemporary,Sacred. Octavo. 18 pages. Andrew Schneider #3584607. Published by Andrew Schneider (A0.930752).

This is a choral anthem setting of Psalm 117 designed for either church or concert use. In its effortless use of various elements of Baroque practice, I have written a piece which will hopefully be useful for high schools and community colleges with smaller choirs to get students to sing works which can prep them for repertoire. Churches will also find this a work appropriate for any festive occasion and also useful in telling people that composers actually exist today who like the bygone way of doing things. And also with a rather exciting piano part! I certainly enjoy raising the bar.

To that end, the A section can be sung on its own as a separate piece, as it is deliberately easier than the B section, which has more chromatic and polyphonic passages. This is the perfect piece to convey to high school students the impression that Baroque music can be exciting, spontaneous, and not old-fashioned, and in a matter which will be immediately perceived to be authentic.

The ad libitum trumpet parts are available directly from the composer. Though they are not strictly necessary for a successful performance, they do give a special spice and festive aura that can only be beneficial.

Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1245807

Composed by Words: Johann Franck, tr. Catherine Winkworth / Music: Lyndell Leatherman. Arranged by Lyndell Leatherman. Advent,Christian,Religious,Sacred. Octavo. 1 pages. Leatherman Music Services #840637. Published by Leatherman Music Services (A0.1245807).

This is the four-part hymn-style edition of this Eucharistic hymn, to facilitate congregational singing. As far as I am concerned, you may purchase the minimum amount of copies that SheetMusicPlus will allow, and then freely duplicate the song sheet for inclusion in worship bulletins. 

Other editions are available:

A FESTIVAL CHOIR arrangement of this hymn is available here: https://www.arrangeme.com/title/436143
A PIANO/ORGAN Duet of the hymn is available here: https://www.arrangeme.com/title/436144

Here are some program notes:
 
Johann Franck (1618-1677) was born in Guben, Germany, the son of a lawyer. 
Like his father, Johann studied law at the University of Konigsburg, where–in 
addition to his studies–he developed a warm friendship with a group of hymnists 
and poets. Returning home, he began his law practice and eventually became 
mayor of Guben. As an avocation, the Lutheran politician wrote poems–and soon
became known as one of the leading hymnists of his time, ranked only behind 
Gerhard. He is credited for the creation of a group of so-called Jesus hymns, 
building the foundation for the pietistic hymn movement that would later sweep 
through Europe. Franck once wrote that poetry should be the nurse of piety, the 
herald of immortality, the promoter of cheerfulness, the conqueror of sadness, 
and a foretaste of heavenly glory. Indeed, his hymns echoed his own spirit of 
encouragement.

Lyndell Leatherman (b. 1953) was born into a Nazarene parsonage in southeast Kansas. After studying church music and composition at Olivet Nazarene University (Kankakee, Illinois) and Illinois State University (Bloomington-Normal, Illinois), he launched into a life of music ministry. Since 1977 he has enjoyed a diverse career as church musician, editor, accompanist, composer, and arranger. In 1998 he became aware of Franck’s eucharistic / Advent hymn, translated either Deck Thyself with Joy and Gladness (Mattes) or Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness (Winkworth). Because the text was unique in its unusually exultant treatment of the sacrament of holy communion, Lyndell felt that the hymn was worthy of renewed consideration in the third millennium of Christian worship. So he updated the language and gave it the new musical setting used here.
 
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It has long been my passion and privilege to create customized arrangements for the churches and schools with whom I have been associated. Many were published; some were not. During the 2020 slowdown caused by Covid-19, I finally had the time to start posting the unpublished resources on Sheet Music Plus. If you are curious about what else is available, please navigate to my publisher page here on SMP < https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/leatherman-music-services/16718 >  or slip over to Facebook < https://www.facebook.com/leathermanmusicservices >, where you can see and hear many of my published works. Thanks for your interest!   

God bless!

Lyndell Leatherman, ASCAP.

Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.926671

Composed by Michael A. Morizio. Christian,Sacred. Octavo. 24 pages. M.A. Morizio #3588445. Published by M.A. Morizio (A0.926671).

My dear friend, and Pastor Don Colageo and I cut our teeth together with this piece when we decided to dive headlong into this cycle of Seven Anthems to Christ. It was the second song of the (SEVEN ANTHEMS TO CHRIST) cycle that I had composed, but the first using his Greek translation(s). It eventually would become the last piece to grace the cycle of seven in order of my musical presentation sequence. In fact, this known 1st century Hymn to Christ spans 18 verses of the first chapter of the Gospel of John. My setting of the anthem is seven plus minutes long in performance length. The song's length was not on purpose, but the number seven does have Biblical significance (seven days of creation, seven golden lamp stands, etc.) The number seven is also known among Biblical scholars as the number of Holiness and Perfect Creation.  

Since this rather long, yet theologically complete Hymn to Christ already existed in the 1st century, it is no wonder the Apostle John opted to begin his Gospel with it, probably quoting the entire text. Consequently, he converted this particular Hymn to Christ’s lyrics into what would later become canonized Scripture.

The anthem is composed for SSATB with solo SSA trio, and Solo Soprano and Solo Baritone lines, accompanied by Flute and Bâ™­ Clarinet. The key signature of the anthem is Bâ™­ Major. However, a lot of time is spent weaving and bobbing around the Dominant chord, (F Major).  The Flute and Clarinet introduction play seven different motifs, interweaving with counterpoint, musically connoting the dual natures of Christ--fully God, and fully man. An SSA trio opens the piece recounting the creation story. A bass solo shortly follows, introducing John the baptizer's story and purpose. Soon, the anthem breaks out into full SSATB illustrating Christ's life and purpose for our salvation. The final coda is the great Doxology, sung in 5 parts, accompanied by the Flute and Clarinet, and the entire congregation (or audience) is invited to sing along with the familiar tune.