Instrumental
Miscellaneous Church Music: Choral and CongregationalAll Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (congregational hymn arrangement)
An arrangement of the entire hymn (introduction and 4 verses), scored for oboe, bassoon (optional), 2 trumpets in C, strings (at least 3, 3, 2, 1, 1), and organ
- Hear sound clip of entire hymn (Note: This is not a professional recording.)
NOTES:
- This arrangement calls for a chamber orchestra similar to what you might be engaging for a piece like Handel's "Messiah" or Vivaldi's "Gloria."
- If your church sometimes uses orchestral accompaniments to congregational hymns or anthems (scored for either chamber or full orchestra), please contact me. I would love to have the opportunity to write more of these arrangements.
A Benediction (closing choral response)
A slow and reflective benediction for SATB choir and organ, somewhat in the style of Kodály; Ca. 2 mins.
Alleluia (introit or closing choral response)
A brief all-purpose "Alleluia" that could be used at any service; Scored for SATB choir accompanied in one of the following ways:
- keyboard (organ or piano), OR
- brass quartet (2 trumpets in Bb and 2 trombones), OR
- brass quartet (2 trumpets in Bb, horn, and trombone)
Many and Great, O God, Are Your Works (anthem)
A simple but effective arrangement of a Native American hymn ("Lacquiparle"), scored for SATB choir, flute, and optional handdrum; Ca. 5 mins.
My Mouth Shall Speak the Praise of the Lord (introit or closing choral response)
A declamatory statement of praise in the neo-Baroque style, scored for SATB choir, either a cappella, or accompanied by one of the following groups of instruments:
- 2 oboes and strings (at least 3, 3, 2, 1, 1), OR
- organ and strings (at least 3, 3, 2, 1, 1), OR
- 2 flutes, 1 bassoon, and organ
Sing, My Soul, to God Thy Lord! (anthem)
A grandiose neo-Baroque anthem scored for SATB choir, organ solo, and strings (at least 3, 3, 2, 1, 1); Text: Anonymous 16th (?) century poem; Ca. 5 mins.
Missa Brevis in A
(Also appropriate for a concert setting)
A neo-classical setting of the Missa Brevis, scored for SATB choir with 2 soprano soloists and chamber orchestra (2 violins, 1 cello, and 1 bass); ca. 17 mins.
Lord, the Gifts Thy Grace Has Given
(Also appropriate for a concert setting)
A cantata for two soprano soloists, accompanied by piano; Text by Paul Wobus (1941); Ca. 8 mins.
Miscellaneous Church Music: InstrumentalFive Hymn-Tune Preludes for the Organ
For use as individual preludes or offertories; each piece is ca. 4-6 mins.:
1. "Praise Thou the Lord, O My Soul, Now Praise Him"
(Tune: "Lobe Den Herren, O Meine Seele"); for any occasion2. "Blessed Be That Maid, Mary" (4 mins.)
(Tune: English Traditional); for Advent or Christmas
- Hear a sound clip of "Blessed Be That Maid, Mary" in its entirety
(Note: This recording was made during the offertory of a church service, so it's a bit "noisy" in place3. "Go to Dark Gethsemane"
(Tune: "Gethsemane"); for Lent4. "Jesus Lives and So Shall I"
(Tune: "Jesus Meine Zuversicht"); for any occasion5. "O Gladsome Light"
(Tune: "Nunc Dimittis"); for any occasion
Adagio for Oboe and Keyboard (offertory)
This is the 3rd movement of my Oboe Sonata in G Major, and makes an effective offertory (with piano or organ); Ca. 3 mins.
Finnish Folk Tune, "Nyland" (offertory)
(Also appropriate for a concert setting)
A tender and expressive arrangement of a Finnish folk tune, scored for strings (at least 3, 3, 2, 1, 1); Note: This Finnish folk tune is also the melody for the hymn "In Heavenly Love Abiding"; Ca. 4 mins.
- Hear sound clip of entire piece (Note: This recording was made during the offertory of a church service, so it's a bit "noisy" in places.)
Fugue with a Cantus Firmus of "Nun Danket Alle Gott" (offertory)
A rollicking neo-Baroque piece, in which the trumpet solo plays the cantus firmus of "Nun Danket Alle Gott" over a fugue played by the rest of the chamber orchestra; Scored for trumpet solo (in C), oboe, bassoon, and strings (3, 3, 2, 1, 1); This would make a good offertory for a service that is already featuring a Baroque work (such as Vivaldi's "Gloria"); Ca. 5 mins.
Passepieds I and II (offertory)
(Also appropriate for a concert setting)
A very "Bachian" set of original passepieds scored for 2 oboes, 1 bassoon, and strings (at least 3, 3, 2, 1, 1); This would make a good offertory for a service that is already featuring a Baroque work; Ca. 4 mins.
Fugue in D (offertory)
(Also appropriate for a concert setting)
An arrangement of Mendelssohn's Fugue in D for Piano, Op.35, No.2; Scored for oboe, 2 violins, bassoon, and cello; Ca. 5 mins.
