Augsburg Fortress

Singing in Community: Paperless Music for Worship

Singing in Community invites you to reconnect with singing and leading music as generations before us have done, something actually begun in ancient times. Before Gutenberg made it possible to "put the music in people's hands," congregational song and folk hymns were led without printed music for each singer. We can learn to sing in this way - a practice that seems new, but is very old.

Difficulty: Medium-Difficult

9781506418261

Nada me falta: Psalm 23

Mark Sedio writes a bilingual Spanish and English setting of Psalm 23 with original music in the style of a Spanish folk tune.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Medium
Use: Advent; All Saints; Easter

Abide in Us, O Bread of Life

David Cherwien writes a tender anthem for SATB choir, organ, and flute, ideal for communion and sacramental use, based on a hymn from Peace Be Still: Hymns of Susan Palo Cherwien, Vol. 3.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Easy-Medium

A Cradle Song

Conveying the dreamlike mood of the William Blake poem that begins, “Sweet dreams, sleep, sleep happy child,” this Christmas anthem by David Hurd features sumptuous, jazz-inflected harmonies that gently sway beneath expressive choral writing.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Medium
Use: Christmas

O Word of God Incarnate

The traditional hymn is set for unison choir by Brenda Portman with the familiar tune MUNICH. The flowing piano accompaniment enhances the anthem while supporting the singers.

Voicing: U, Pno
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Confirmation/Affirmation; Reformation

We Are Waiting

John Helgen wrote both the text and tune of this Advent hymn, found in the worship supplement All Creation Sings, and here, Priscilla Lamparter Landis writes a gentle and beautiful arrangement for SAB choir.

Voicing: SAB, Pno
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Advent

O Jesus, I Have Promised

Thomas Keesecker creatively sets this familiar hymn text to the English folksong SALLY GARDENS with lush and accessible writing that sings beautifully.

Voicing: SATB, Pno
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Advent; Confirmation/Affirmation; Lent & Holy Week; Reformation

O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright

Brenda Portman sets this familiar hymn text to the well-loved TALLIS’ CANON, creating an impressive and accessible anthem for 2-part, 3-part, or 4-part choir with a beautiful organ accompaniment.

Voicing: 2 pt mxd/SAB/SATB
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Epiphany; Evening; General; Summer

As the Showers that Water the Earth

David Sims skillfully weaves a Susan Palo Cherwien text with Psalm 50 in this gently flowing anthem filled with graceful text-painting reflecting God’s promises of healing and new life.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Funeral; General; Psalms

Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace

Here is the perfect anthem for the first Sunday of Advent! Written in the style of an expressive art song, this unison/two-part mixed anthem by Frederick Frahm for adult choirs of any size is particularly useful when rehearsal time is limited.

Voicing: U/2pt mxd
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Advent

Gloria from Mariazeller Messe (Haydn)

Give your choir the exciting opportunity to sing an excerpt from a large-scale choral work! Ryan Kelly has selected the brief opening portion of the Gloria for this edition, featuring Haydn’s exuberant, straightforward homophonic choral writing true to the Classical era.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Medium
Use: All Saints; Christmas; Easter; Praise & Thanksgiving

O Keep Me as the Apple of Your Eye

William Bradley Roberts wrote a new tune for this setting of a Susan Palo Cherwien text that is reminiscent of Psalm 23, asking for God’s steadfast presence and comfort in our lives. Scored for SATB choir, it can also be sung by two-part mixed choir.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Advent; All Saints; Evening; Healing; Psalms

The Church of Christ, in Every Age

David Cherwien writes a festive arrangement of the familiar hymn set in classical concertato style. An uplifting addition to the Augsburg Choral Hymn Series that highlights the need for social justice and care of neighbors.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Medium
Use: General

Balulalow

The text of this carol was first published in 1567 and is a translation of the Martin Luther hymn “From Heaven Above.” Paul Lohman writes new music for the carol and includes quotations from the tune VOM HIMMEL HOCH.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Christmas

God Is Our Refuge

Zebulon Highben makes Psalm 46 come to life with musical text-painting that supports the dramatic shifts in mood within the psalm.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Medium
Use: Confirmation/Affirmation; Psalms; Reformation

If You Continue in My Word

A master of choral writing, Walter L. Pelz has lovingly set his own confirmation verse, John 8:31-32, in a well-crafted anthem that is a joy to sing.

Voicing: SATB
Difficulty: Medium
Use: Confirmation/Affirmation; Reformation

Lift Up Your Heads

Written in the beloved choral hymn tradition, Olaf C. Christiansen’s uplifting and energetic arrangement of this well-loved Advent hymn nearly sings itself.

Voicing: SATB
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Advent

Lord, Have Mercy

Here is an expressive and dynamic anthem from Undine Smith Moore, featuring original music in the style of an African American spiritual. Ideal for Lent or anytime a choral setting of the Kyrie is needed.

Voicing: SATB
Difficulty: Medium
Use: Advent; Lent & Holy Week

Poinsettia Carol: Flores de pascua

Here is a delightful unison/2-part setting by Frederick Frahm of a Cuban Christmas carol found in the worship book Libro de Liturgia y Cántico, perfect for mixed adult ensemble or children and youth choirs.

Voicing: U/2pt mxd
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Christmas

Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above

In a joyful, lilting 6/8 meter, Richard A. Williamson has set a well-loved hymn of praise to the tune MIT FREUDEN ZART, creating a singable and enjoyable anthem for 2-part mixed choir.

Voicing: 2 pt mxd, Pno
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Evening; Praise & Thanksgiving