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PUBLISHED COMPOSITIONS
ANTHEMS MUSICALS HYMN COLLECTIONS
HYMNODY FOR CHILDREN
Anthems
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"Called by the Spirit" (Unison/two part voices with keyboard, introduced by a rap) Choristers Guild, #CGA734. A rap on the names of the Old Testament prophets introduces this lively anthem that recalls the stories of Elijah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. |
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"Circle the Table" (Unison voices, optional descant or flute, and piano) Abingdon Press, #337208. The simple text and lilting tune of this hymn-anthem is meant to be sung and danced by children on World Wide Communion Sunday as a joyful expression of Christian unity and hospitality at the Lord's Table. |
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“Cold Night Is Quiet, The ” (SATB with piano and opt. flute) Choristers Guild #CGA1035. This “waiting” carol for Advent has a lovely, gentle melody and refrain that promises Jesus is coming to bring peace on earth. It would be easy to incorporate children’s voices on one of the unison stanzas for a combined choirs anthem. |
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"Come Away with Me" (General anthem for SATB voices, opt. descant, and piano) Abingdon Press, #098343. This is a setting of a popular hymn from the collection, Come Away with Me. The text was inspired by Jesus' words to his disciples in Mark 6:30-32. |
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“Come to the Table.” (SATB choir and piano) Zimbel Press, #Z223. John has provided a new melodic setting for this Communion text from THE SONG LINGERS ON, and added a refrain that includes a welcome to all believers who approach the table. |
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"Come, Believers in the Gospel" (General anthem for SATB and piano with opt. treble voices, trumpet, and handbells) MorningStar Music Publishers, #MSM-50-6037. This anthem was commissioned for the Montreat 2003 Conference on Music and Worship by the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. It is a setting of the hymn that was also commissioned for this event. The text is based on a Presbyterian mission statement known as "The Six Great Ends of the Church." Naturally the tune is named GREAT ENDS! |
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"Creator God, Who Has Composed" (Unison and SATB choirs with keyboard, opt. congregation, and opt. 3-octave handbells) Choristers Guild, #CGA853. Anthem setting of a hymn praising God for the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that have shaped and nurtured our faith and guided our lives. Suitable for general use or festival occasions. |
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“God of Every Generation” (SATB choir and piano) Zimbel Press, #Z224. God is addressed in Trinitarian terms in this spirited hymn from THE SONG LINGERS ON. The rhythmic varations in the tune symbolize the different age groups who make up a congregation. |
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“God Gives Us Hope”(Unison and opt. two-part treble voices with piano and opt. flute or violin) Abingdon, #068799999. The text draws on a number of biblical images of hope, and includes a joyous refrain affirming that God gives us hope on the darkest of days, a truth that children can store away in their memory banks to draw upon when needed. John will be using this anthem with the children’s choir he will direct at the Lake Junaluska United Methodist conference this summer. |
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"Faith Is Believing" (Unison voices with opt. descant, piano, and opt. flute and percussion) Abingdon Press, #0687051851. An anthem based on Hebrews 11:1 that is written in a "pop" quasi-calypso style. |
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"Holy One of Israel, The" (General or Advent anthem for SATB voices, keyboard, and opt. handbells) Abingdon Press, #0687044375. An anthem setting of a hymn based on the visions of peace in the writings of Isaiah of Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4, 9:2, 6-7, 11:6-9, and 35). It was adapted from the last song in the musical, ISAIAH'S DREAM. |
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"Jubilee Hymns: 1. The Year of Jubilee, 2. Sing a Song of Jubilation, 3. Let Jubilee Be Hope Reborn" (Unison with keyboard) Abingdon Press, #029724. These three hymns are based on the concept of Jubilee which comes from Leviticus 25, was incorporated into Hebrew prophetic writings, and used by Jesus in announcing that his ministry had begun. The hymns are appropriate whenever justice and compassion are addressed in worship. |
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"Love Enough to Give" (Unison and SATB choirs with piano, opt. congregation, and opt. flute) Choristers Guild, #CGA808. This arrangement of the hymn, "A Mother Lined A Basket," is appropriate for Mother's Day, graduations, and other "empty-nest" occasions and general use. |
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"One Holy Night in Bethlehem" (Christmas Anthem for combined unison treble choir, unison mixed choir - optional descant-, SATB choir, and keyboard) Abingdon Press, #0687094984. The song the angels sang to the shepherds is echoed in Mary's lullaby to the baby Jesus, the tune Joseph whistles in the stable, and in our songs today. |
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"People Came from Everywhere, The" (Unison treble, opt. SAB, SATB, and opt. congregation, with opt. three-octave handbells and keyboard) Abingdon Press, #026601. This anthem is written in antiphonal style, alternating between a traditional hymn tune (ST. FLAVIAN) and original melody, as singers reflect on the children's visit to Jesus. |
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"Prayer for Pentecost, A" (Unison treble voices and keyboard, with opt. flute or violin) Abingdon Press, #502020. The story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) is connected with the Pentecost event (Acts 2) in this arrangement of a prayer hymn which is appropriate for Pentecost and Ordinary Time. Out of print*. |
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"Psalm 67" (Unison and SATB choirs with piano, opt. flute, opt. handbells, and opt. congregation) Choristers Guild, #CGA589. An arrangement of a song of praise from Paul & Co. for festival occasions. |
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“Shepherd’s Carol” (Unison and piano with optional solos and flute) Augsburg Fortress #0-8006-3809-3. In this anthem, a little shepherd boy (or girl) leaves his flock and goes to see the baby Jesus, offering the only gift he has to bring: the song he heard the angels sing. The anthem can be done as a single selection, or dramatized with traditional processional and recessional carols added to create a “mini-musical” for a children’s program at Christmas. The short solo sections reduce the volume of words for the entire choir to memorize and offer a chance for more experienced singers to shine. |
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"Song of Two Widows" (Unison, keyboard, and opt. recorder or flute) Abingdon Press, #074908. The widow who fed Elijah and the widow Jesus watched put her last coin in the Temple are mentioned in this stewardship anthem that challenges us to give out of our poverty, not just our surplus. |
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"Spirit Child Jesus" (Unison, opt. SATB, keyboard, and two-octave handbells, with opt. vocal, flute, or violin descant) Abingdon Press, #081343. The text looks at our celebration of the birth of Jesus in a way that takes us through the seasons of his life. |
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"Spirit Falling Like a Dove" (Unison treble voices, opt. flute, and keyboard) Abingdon Press, #503310. The symbols of the dove, water, fire, breath, fire, and the cross in this anthem make it appropriate for either baptism or Pentecost. |
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"Time Machine, The" (Unison treble voices, narrator, and keyboard) Abingdon Press, #503221. A lively refrain, choral speaking, and fragments from hymns of different periods help singers focus on hymns as a means for connecting to our spiritual heritage. Suitable for hymn festivals or general use. |
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"This Is God's Beloved Son" (SAB, with keyboard and opt. flute; accompaniment cassette available) Abingdon Press, #072247. The text affirms Jesus as God's anointed one, drawing on the passage from Isaiah that he read in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21). |
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“Twelve Disciples in the Temple” (Unison/two part voices with piano, congregation, and opt. flute, handbells (3-4 octaves), suspended cymbal, gong, triangle, and wind chimes) Choristers Guild, #CGA1027. The text begins with a re-telling of the Pentecost experience in Acts, and ends with a prayer that God will send the Spirit to us again, gifting us with a new understanding of God’s plan for a peaceful world. The tune is a setting of a Japanese hymn tune, TOKYO. |
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"Unexpected Guest, The" (Two groups of unison voices and piano, with narrator and wood block) Abingdon Press, #072557. Based on a story Jesus told his disciples when he was teaching them how to pray (Luke 11:1-8), this anthem is introduced by a short choral reading. |
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"We Know Our God Is Faithful" (Unison treble choir with piano and opt. SATB choir) Choristers Guild, #CGA937. This anthem was commissioned by Choristers Guild as a tribute to all children affected by the American tragedy on September 11, 2001. It will offer comfort and hope in any time of disaster and loss. |
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"We Sang Our Glad Hosannas" (Combined children's and SATB choirs with keyboard accompaniment ) Abingdon Press, #024099. In a "we were there" style, the text takes us through the events of Holy Week, incorporating spoken words of scripture at the beginning of each stanza. |
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"When Quiet Peace Is Shattered" (SATB with keyboard) Hinshaw,#HMC-1281. Here is an anthem to have ready for the choir to sing in times of crisis. The refrain is based on Psalm 83:1. |
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"With Dancing Banners, Tuneful Bells" (Intergenerational choirs, keyboard, congregation, flute or violin, and opt. 3 oct. handbells) Choristers Guild, #CGA955. A joyful hymn of praise based on the elements of the worship order. |
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"You Are God's Child" (Unison/two-part voices with keyboard, opt. SATB choir, and opt. congregation) Choristers Guild, #CGA541. Adapted from a duet in Paul & Co., this baptismal anthem welcomes a new member into the church family. |
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"Your Spirit, God Moves Us to Pray" (Combined children's and SATB choirs with opt. congregation, unison descant, and opt. handbells or choir chimes) Abingdon Press, #071240. In simple words, this anthem offers a prayer for children around the world who have special needs. It is suitable for Children's Sabbath/Sunday or at any time when justice for children is addressed. |
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“Zacchaeus” (Unison/two part and piano) Choristers Guild #CGA1073. This anthem about Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus has a lilting tune and delightful refrain that can be sung in canon after the second stanza. One of the 25 best-selling Choristers Guild anthems in 2006. |
To purchase any composition from Choristers Guild, please contact their distributor, Lorenz Corporation. To purchase any composition from Abingdon Press, please contact their distributor, Cokesbury. * For out of print compositions, permission to copy may be obtained from The Copyright Company: Phone: 1-800-779-1177 or (615) 244-5588 Fax: (615) 244-5991 Email: TheCpyrtCo@cs.com. Contact MorningStar Music and Selah Publishing directly.
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By The Sea. Choristers Guild, Musical Score, #CGC44; Director's Kit (includes score and demo CD), #CGK20; Demo CD, #CGD3. A musical dramatizing incidents from the life of Jesus that took place along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, in and near the town of Capernaum. Several choral numbers can be used as anthems for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Scored for Keyboard, Flute, Orff Instruments, and Handbells. |
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT BY THE SEA...
"The most amazing thing is to watch the young people learning and growing as they experience the musical...Two of my choirs combined for this production. One is grades 2-5, and the other is a middle school and high school group. They learn so much from each other....I used four adults in the cast..three of them were special needs children in our church, and I always include them.....I particularly liked having many small roles. My children are all heavily involved in school, music, and sports, so some of them don't have hours to spend memorizing lines. The other advantage is that more of them get to have actual roles and musical solos......Some Christians never experience the dark days of Holy Week. "God, Why Have You Forsaken Us?" and the scenes showing the various responses to the news of the crucifixion allowed the actors to experience these emotions and portray them to the congregation." --Jerry Johnson, Choral Director, First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, CA
"We did the musical last week as an in-house MAD camp in our church from 9-3 each day with a performance Friday night. We had 22 children in the camp ranging from 3rd to 8th grade and a staff of capable people-an art teacher, a drama teacher, a dance instructor, music teacher, and myself…..Worship each of the five days was centered on one of the scenes. Both of our pastors had been to Galilee and could add to the biblical stories from their own experiences. On Friday we had Holy Communion and the three Seekers helped serve Communion…It was a wonderful spiritual experience and a wonderful theater experience. " Karen Harper, Owego United Methodist Church, Owego, NY.
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Paul and Company. Choristers Guild, Choral Score, #CGC29, or Director's Score with Production Notes, #CGC28. A musical drama based on Acts 15:35-16:40, for unison chorus, soloists, flute, piano, opt. three-octave handbells, and opt. congregation. Churches desiring to combine this musical with a vacation Bible school on the Apostle Paul, may want to look at ALL ABOUT PAUL, Mary's curriculum guide now available from Hymns, Etc. |
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They Sang A New Song. Voice of the Rockies. Singer's edition (with keyboard accompaniment), #VOR132D01; 8 1/2 x 11 Bound Score for Accompanists, #VOR132D01b; Conductor's Score (including all voice and instrumental parts), VOR132D01c; Instrumental Parts (flute, viola, cello, handbells, and percussion), VOR132D01a. A musical drama telling the story of Katharina and Matthew Zell, a remarkable pair of 16th century Reformed peacemakers from Strasbourg, for broadly-graded, youth, or multigenerational choirs, with keyboard and flute, Orff percussion, and handbells. |
(In August 2000, Mary and her granddaughter Katie delivered copies of the musical to two Lutheran/Reformed pastors in Strasbourg, viewed some rare books with Zell connections at the Protestant seminary, and visited the cathedral where Matthew Zell was locked out of the pulpit. When their tour group gathered next to the pulpit for worship, Mary and Katie shared the story of Matthew and Katharina from They Sang A New Song.)
Hymnals, supplements, and collections that include texts and tunes by Mary and John.
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Come Away With Me: A Collection of Original Hymns Abingdon Press, 1998. Sixteen new texts and tunes, with commentary. One hymn from this collection is included in Voices United, a hymnal published by the United Church of Canada in 1996. A second hymn won honorable mention in a contest co-sponsored by the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada and Alternatives for Simple Living in 1997, and is included with a third hymn in Sing Justice! Do Justice! published by Selah in 1998. Another hymn was also selected for The Faith We Sing (Abingdon), the new supplement to the United Methodist hymnal, and Sing the Faith (Geneva Press), a supplement to the Presbyterian hymnal. Come Away With Me was reviewed in the October 1998 issue of The Hymn and Bulletin 216 (Vol. XV.7, July 1998) of the Hymn Society in Great Britain and Ireland. |
Hymns are reproducible for congregational use under a CCLI license or by permission of The Copyright Company. Click here to purchase this collection from Cokesbury.
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Time Now to Gather: New Hymns for the Church Family Abingdon Press, 1998. Sixteen more new texts and tunes, with commentary. Five hymns from this collection are included in The Faith We Sing (Abingdon), the new supplement to the United Methodist hymnal, and Sing the Faith (Geneva Press), a supplement to the Presbyterian hymnal. One is also included in Hymns of Heritage and Hope (Advent Christian, 2001), and two in Voices Found (Episcopal, 2003). Time Now to Gather was reviewed in the July 2000 issue of The Hymn, and in Bulletin #218 (Vol. XV.9, Jan. 1999) of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. |
Hymns are reproducible for congregational use under a CCLI license or by permission of The Copyright Company. Click here to purchase this collection from Cokesbury.
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The Song Lingers On: New Hymns for Our Journey of Faith There are 21 new hymns in this collection. Each tune is interlined with the text, and the text is printed as poetry as well. Commentaries for each hymn are included, making the collection useful for devotional purposes. Worship planners will appreciate the fact that the hymns are indexed by scripture, topic, meter, first line, and tune name. One hymn from this collection appears in Sing the Faith (Geneva Press), a supplement to the Presbyterian hymnal. The Song Lingers On was reviewed in the July 2004 issue of The Hymn. For ordering information contact Zimbel Press. |
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Available for Reference Only in workshops and to new hymnal committees and to individuals and churches interested in commissioning new hymns: Called to Sing Your Praise, a collection of 12 Keithahn/Horman hymns that have been published individually in other settings, with commentaries on the texts and tunes. Two of these hymns are included in The Faith We Sing and Sing the Faith, and one is in Voices Found. Several have been published in anthem settings by Abingdon Press and Choristers Guild, and/or in United Methodist Publishing House's Sunday school curriculum resources. Another was one of 12 hymns written after 9/11 selected for publication in a special insert in July 2002 issue of The Hymn. Permission to reproduce these hymns for congregational use must be obtained from the respective publishers. |
Hymnody for Children
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Something Old, Something New: Hymns to Explore, Things to Do by Beverly S. Bailey, Suzi Gifford, and John D. Horman, edited by Mary Nelson Keithahn. Volume 1, Who Is Jesus? Volume 2, Exploring the Christian Year. Abingdon Press, 2000. $17.00 each. Volume 2 of Something Old, Something New was reviewed in January 2002 issue of The Hymn. |
Each of these new resources for teaching hymns to children contains session plans for teaching twelve hymns, plus a thirteenth session that is a design for a hymn sing. In Volume 1 classic and newly-composed hymns are paired in separate one-hour sessions on Jesus as Shepherd, Advocate, Our Way to God, Leader, Our Finest Friend, and Teacher. Volume 2 uses a similar approach in introducing hymns for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent/Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. The new hymns were all selected from Come Away with Me and Time Now to Gather.
The session plans include background for the leaders on the scriptural basis, text, and tune of each hymn, with related learning activities for the children, along with creative art projects in a variety of media and unique suggestions for teaching the hymns. The writers are master teachers with expertise in church music, education, and art, and understand the needs of local congregations. The session plans are clearly written and easy to use, and contain a wealth of teaching techniques that can be applied later to other content. There are enough sessions in each volume for a quarter, making it possible for either course to be used as an alternative or supplement to church school resources, or in a week-day after school program or children's choir rehearsal. The paired sessions may also be combined for extended classes in a Vacation Bible School, retreat, or day camp setting.
To order from Cokesbury, click here.
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