Calling All Singers
This is another plea for help. Thanks so much for those of you who confirmed my fears about the tomato plants so I could get on with my life. We're just going to buy the seedlings now, by the way.
I got called as our church's choir director a few weeks ago. I'm really excited. However, last time I was choir director, we had a music library like you would not believe. I think it started back in the 1930s or something. This time we have absolutely nothing. Not one shred of choir music anywhere. Apparently they've never had a budget for it. That little problem has been taken care of and there's now a modest budget for me to use to start building up a library.
So that's where you come in. I'd like to know just one or two or 25 of your favorite choir pieces (church-appropriate, obviously) that you've heard or sung or conducted. If you know the composer, great, if not that's fine too. I'm just looking for ideas so I can get started with planning. Thanks in advance!
I got called as our church's choir director a few weeks ago. I'm really excited. However, last time I was choir director, we had a music library like you would not believe. I think it started back in the 1930s or something. This time we have absolutely nothing. Not one shred of choir music anywhere. Apparently they've never had a budget for it. That little problem has been taken care of and there's now a modest budget for me to use to start building up a library.
So that's where you come in. I'd like to know just one or two or 25 of your favorite choir pieces (church-appropriate, obviously) that you've heard or sung or conducted. If you know the composer, great, if not that's fine too. I'm just looking for ideas so I can get started with planning. Thanks in advance!
Congrats on one of the best callings out there! :) We are big David Naylor fans, he lives here in the St. George area. His arrangement of "If You Could Hie to Kolob" (his title says"Heaven") is out of sight, and his "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands" is simply superb...of course, there's always one or two Aaron Waites you could use, have you heard of him? :)
ReplyDeletemy condolences. :) i can't think of any titles of the top of my head, but the easier the better. sometimes the best thing i would do is to use the hymnbook, and say 1st verse women, 2nd verse men, 3rd verse a cappella satb, etc. just getting creative. i would also look for books of easy arrangements of hymns. those are more expensive but you'll get a lot more miles out of them than you would out of sheet music. if i think of any pieces i really like, i'll let you know. good luck an happy singing!
ReplyDeletep.s.o what songs of the heart w/ organ accompaniment = AWESOME.
I'm so sorry! I've decided I'm on a permanent sabbatical from that calling. Personally, I love John Rutter. I found lots of his pieces for Christmas. Candlelight Carol specifically worked nicely.
ReplyDeleteQuite the calling! There are several websites what have FREE arrangements of hymns. A really good one is Sally Deford: http://www.defordmusic.com/
ReplyDeleteOur choir just sang her arrangement of I Stand All Amazed, and it was really good. Good luck!
I second the recommendations for John Rutter and Sally Deford. Also, the Beebee arrangements are mostly very simple and beautiful. The Choirbook that the church puts out has some nice ones in it. The Praiseworthy label of Jackman Music Publishing has some really good stuff as well (some arrangements of hymns and some LDS compositions). And of course there's good old Mack Wilberg if you have a good accompanist!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun calling! I've always coveted that particular calling. ;) Have fun!
I am not a singer whatsoever.. but when I had a choir calling (not the director... the one who got the word out about choir and things like that) my freshman year of college we sang this: "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands" by: Pearson Naylor (I sure hope i got his name right). I'm not sure if Michelle remembers this song- but I wrote all the lyrics down in my scriptures and it's my most favorite to go back and read when I need uplifting.
ReplyDeleteI just found it here... not sure if it's the right music- but the lyrics are the same: http://www.lds.org/cm/music/submission/behold_wounds.pdf
ReplyDeleteIf you do Deford, your theory-trained self might start convulsing, just so ya know.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I dig Rutter too. Especially The Lord Bless You and Keep You. We did one in a local choir recently called "Come See the Place Where Jesus Lay" I believe--it was really pretty, and fairly simple. Kinda Easter-y though.
I'll try to think of more... I keep thinking that I need to write down songs when I like them to avoid being in a similar situation--I just haven't gotten on the ball.
hey - congrats to you! It's a hard calling, but VERY worth while. I have had this calling a few times already! I also worked at Day Murray Music for a while, so I have LOTS of ideas. I will have to look up titles and let you know. You are more than welcome to email me too... tkgregory3@hotmail.com. CONGRATS!
ReplyDelete