Take Note

Discover new and poignant choral cantatas and anthems appropriate for the Lent and Easter seasons from Beckenhorst Press, Brookfield Press, Hope, Lorenz, Shawnee Press and SoundForth.

Cantatas

Come to the Cross and Remember by Pepper Choplin

Iconic imagery of the Easter story is paired with a beautiful melodic figure that weaves throughout the entire work to help present and guide the audience through this work. The music by Pepper Choplin, accompanied by Michael Lawrence’s stunning orchestration, powerfully represents the high and low moments of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Additional choruses and hymns illumine the journey, including the haunting “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” the spine-tingling “Judas,” the mournful “Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs,” the transportive “You Will Be with Me in Paradise,” and the majestically triumphant “Every Knee Should Bow.”

Psalm 23: A Journey with the Shepherd by Pepper Choplin

“Psalm 23 holds a special place in the lives of believers.  We often read or say it from memory at significant services and times of challenge.  Through this cantata, I wanted choir and audience to truly experience this most beloved psalm:

to feel the peace of the still waters,

to be comforted through shadow of death,

to express gratitude for the bountiful table of blessings

and to celebrate the mercy which follows through all the days of our lives.

The music is dramatic with an artistic flair, but written with the church and community choir in mind.”

–Pepper Choplin

Sacred Places: Pilgrimage of Promise by Joseph Martin

“I have always been inspired by the early American folk hymn tradition. I grew up in North Carolina where these time-honored texts and tunes are very much a part of the church music experience. In SACRED PLACES I have tried to capture some of that rustic spirit and tell the timeless story of Christ’s ministry and passion. The focus of the cantata is on the places where Jesus performed some of his important miracles and where he experienced other significant moments in his final days. The River Jordan, The Wedding at Cana, The Pool of Bethesda, The holy city of Jerusalem, the upper room, the Garden of Gethsemane, Calvary and the Garden of Resurrection.

The narration is based on scripture and helps move the work forward. Two endings are provided, one intended for use during Holy Week and a more joyful triumphant conclusion for churches performing the work after Easter. The orchestrations by Brant Adams are filled with an abundance of creativity and provide a colorful soundtrack for the work. With SACRED PLACES I have tried to create something interesting, yet approachable, so that choirs of any size and level of accomplishment can embrace the work with confidence.”

–Joseph Martin

Lamentations of the Lamb by John Purifoy

“Pamela Stewart’s poignant and insightful lyrics made composing ‘Lamentations of the Lamb’ a true journey experiencing Christ’s final week of betrayal, suffering and sacrifice for us as believers.  It is always our hope as writers and composers that these emotions resonate in the music for both singers, instrumentalists and worshipers alike.  The blending of Old Testament prophecy, historical hymn texts and newly written lyrics also made setting the music an artistic reward.”

–John Purifoy

Hope in the Shadows by Joel Raney and Lloyd Larson

Retracing Christ’s final days and journey to the cross, this new musical for Lent and Holy Week includes a mixture of traditional and contemporary hymns and songs set in a variety of styles. Arranged for SATB choir with narrator(s), and options to include soloists and congregation, plus a 5-piece instrumental ensemble, scored by Ed Hogan, this 38-minute program focuses on our Savior’s sacrifice and the hope in the shadows to which we cling.

Anthems

Christ Is Risen, Alleluia! by Jay Althouse

This exuberant Easter anthem opens with a joyous, hymn-like melody, harmonized in a straightforward manner. This leads to a statement of the majestic hymn “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” in a comfortable key, making it ideal for having the congregation join in. Returning to the original melody for a powerful conclusion makes this an accessible, uplifting musical presentation for Easter Sunday.

I Am Bound for the Promised Land! by Craig Courtney

A march-like ritornello begins Craig Courtney’s new arrangement of I Am Bound for the Promised Land and, although that motive can be heard throughout the piece, he counters that with contrast and variety in the 4-hand accompaniment and a variety of articulation in the voices. Snare drum, triangle and cymbals add to the dramatic effect.

I’ll Fly Away by Craig Courtney

Craig Courtney’s arrangement of I’ll Fly Away begins as a seemingly traditional treatment of the Brumley gospel tune but, as the piece goes on, it veers into different territory. Chock full of text painting, polyphony and a tipping of the hat to Gershwin, it becomes a journey of joy. The 4-hand accompaniment is creatively sophisticated. This would be the perfect choice for a choir festival or as a final piece in a concert that will “bring the house down”.

Anthems of Love by Dan Forrest

Anthems of Love is Dan Forrest’s setting of an ethereal Susan Boersma text based on Zephaniah 3:17, where God sings over His children with joy. The music portrays the idea of “celestial music” surrounding our praise, as God Himself joins in our songs of praise to Him. The combination of text and music is strikingly beautiful.

A Mighty Fortress by Dan Forrest

Dan Forrest’s new setting of A Mighty Fortress is just in time for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation being celebrated around the world in 2017. His setting opens with a evocation of the blows of Luther’s hammer, and then works its way through music history, while not becoming overly difficult. It has numerous instrumental accompaniment options available, for maximum flexibility.

Pie Jesu by Joseph Martin

Joseph Martin beautifully set this Latin text with an optional English translation along with an original melody that is nothing short of breath-taking. Equally functional as it is beautiful, this anthem is equally applicable in a worship service or concert setting. The optional violin part provides another layer of musical tenderness that will live with the choir and audience well after the performance ends.

How Can It Be? by Jay Rouse

Jay Rouse’s arrangement of this 2015 Contemporary Christian song of the year is an authentic and powerful choral representation of this stirring worship song. With an expressive solo and driving instrumental accompaniment, this anthem provides a compelling opportunity for congregation participation.

Agnus Dei with How Great Thou Art by Michael W. Smith & Stuart K. Hine

This Michael W. Smith “classic” is ideal for any worship occasion and especially communion services reflecting on Jesus, the Lamb of God. The inclusion of a portion of “How Great Thou Art” expands and reinforces this anthem of praise to the Lord God Almighty.

Come People of the Risen King with Rejoice, the Lord Is King by Stuart Townend, Keith & Kristyn Getty

This dynamic hymn setting calls for the church of Christ, both young and old, to rejoice in the risen King. A verse of the Charles Wesley hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” is seamlessly woven into the fabric and heightens the impact of this celebration of Christ our Lord and King.