Augsburg Fortress

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

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

Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me

Based on the Gregorian "Adoro te devote," this Pentecost anthem has applications beyond that season. Perfect for a smaller choir, but equally successful with a...

Voicing: 2-part mixed
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Pentecost; Trinity

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whoever Would Be Great among You

Ronald A. Nelson is the composer for this Lenten anthem.

Voicing: SAB/3-part mixed
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Lent & Holy Week

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

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

Before the Marvel of This Night

Published in 1982, this setting of Jaroslav Vajda's wonderful text has become our best-selling seasonal anthem. Also available: instrumental parts by Carl...

Voicing: SATB/4-part mixed
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Christmas

God's Work, Our Hands

Wayne L. Wold’s original text and tune were written to support the ELCA mission of “God’s Work, Our Hands.” Well-crafted and easily mastered, this is the perfect anthem for Rally Sunday or mission- and justice-themed services.

Voicing: SATB, Kybd
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Praise & Thanksgiving; Stewardship; Thanksgiving

Canticle of the Turning: My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout

A children's or youth choir could sing the first verse of this flexible arrangement, with an adult choir joining on the refrain and leading subsequent verses.

Voicing: Piano; SATB/4-part mixed
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Advent; Evening

Augsburg Easy Choirbook, Volume 3: Music for the Church Year

A collection of unison and 2-part, accessible music for church, school, and community choirs.

Voicing: 2-part mixed; Unison
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Advent; All Saints; Christ the King; Christmas; Communion; Easter; General; Lent & Holy Week; Thanksgiving

9781506414041

The Good Shepherd

Two beloved Bible passages are skillfully combined by David Cherwien in this setting of John 10 and Psalm 23.  The texts are supported by gorgeous, rich music with harmonic language that will both surprise and delight.

Voicing: SATB, Org
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Creation; Easter; Psalms

God Alone Be Praised: Ad Lucem

A lyrical and accessible hymn anthem useful for Reformation Day, Christ the King or other church celebrations. This is one of two tunes commissioned by ALCM for its 30th anniversary and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Voicing: Piano; SAB/3-part mixed
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Christ the King; Reformation

9781506447209

We Shall Walk through the Valley

Undine Smith Moore’s arrangement of this African American spiritual is both accessible and gorgeous. Perfect for the First Sunday in Lent or as a companion anthem whenever Psalm 23 is scheduled.

Voicing: SATB
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Use: Ash Wednesday; Holy Week; Lent & Holy Week

In All Our Grief and Fear We Turn To You

This anthem, with great attention to text, instills peace on the listener and singer alike in a setting of the hymn tune Fredericktown. The setting weaves O...

Voicing: 2-part mixed
Difficulty: Easy
Use: Lent & Holy Week

9780806697352