Competent organists used to be a dime a dozen, and now they are a rare breed. Even rarer are young organists. I used to be one of those rare breeds, a unicorn really. I never realized how special it was to be one of those people who never had a “real job.” Mrs. Gros, my […]

Today we’re singing one of John Rutter’s most popular pieces. It was published in 1980, and I’d venture to say that most churches have this piece in their choral library. Surprisingly, we did not. Every choral director knows it and has performed it; although, some of my snootier colleagues would deny it. It has a […]

William Harris is a big name in Anglican church music. He was a well-known composer and conductor. In 1933 he was appointed at St. George’s Chapel. During that time, he conducted at two coronations. One in 1937 for King George VI, and then for his daughter, Queen Elisabeth in 1953. The world would not see […]

Today’s offertory anthem is often used as a banner piece for the return of a new choir season. It’s good to be back in full swing after a brief summer break, and I’m sure you’re happy to see the choir back in the stalls this morning. Martin Shaw was a prolific English composer with over […]

Today’s offertory is a savory morsel. It’s one of those anthems that seems to suspend time and linger in the air. The tenors begin the piece, seemingly out of nowhere, as if to say there is a hushed secret to tell. When you begin this piece, you have to take great care not to disturb […]

Today’s communion piece is a hymn by English composer and theologian, Erik Routley, who is one of the most significant figures in 20th-century hymnology. Routley wrote nearly 40 books on theology and music and wrote pieces for choir, violin, piano, and organ. He also has more than 120 hymn tunes to his credit, was involved […]

Today’s offertory anthem is one of the most well-known and beloved jewels of Anglican church music. Written in 1565 by Thomas Tallis, it remains such a vital part of just about every church choir’s regular repertoire. I can imagine that the walls of our church have heard this piece a great number of times, but […]

There’s a certain kind of supple tenderness in today’s offertory anthem. It’s by Walter Pelz, a Lutheran composer who spent most of his professional life as professor of music at one of Kansas’ oldest institutes of higher learning, Bethany College. The Lutheran composers have a certain aesthetic that’s hard to describe. We’ve sung others like […]

I chose today’s anthems, namely because of the epistle lesson, where Peter refers to Christ as undefiled, innocent, and pure. The offertory, by Healey Willan, reflects the gut-wrenching image of slaughtering innocence, something so common in today’s world that we’ve become almost immune to it. Bobby McFerrin’s setting of Psalm 23, our communion anthem, is […]

Today’s offertory anthem is by English composer, William Boyce. You may not have heard of him, but he was a relatively well-known organist and composer of his day. Today we’re singing his “Alleluia Round,” arranged by Richard Proulx, a well-known composer of our time who spent most of his career as the director of music […]