The choral music listed on these pages (all hymn anthems) is appropriate for use in worship during Advent, Christmas, or Epiphany. All the tunes appear in one or more of the Reformed hymnals: Rejoice in the Lord, Psalter Hymnal, and The Trinity Hymnal. All entries are SATB a cappella unless indicated otherwise.
Our choir has discovered that the hymn-anthem is an effective way of introducing new songs to the congregation. We follow a process similar to the following:
Week 1: The choir sings the hymn-anthem.
Week 2: The director of music teaches the song to the congregation.
Week 3: The choir sings one stanza of the hymn, using portions of the hymn-anthem; the congregation sings the other stanzas. You'll notice that many of the arrangements listed below contain stanzas actually written for the congregation.
ADVENT | |||||
Tune | Hymn Title | Publisher | Arranger | Difficulty | Notes |
GENEVAN 42 | Comfort, Comfort Ye My People | Concordia, 98-1388 | Bunjes | easy | string quintet and organ (or organ alone) |
MERTON | Hark, A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding | Augsburg, 11-1798 | Cassier | easy | organ, tenor solo, descant, congregation, ad.lib. |
NUN KOMM DERHEIDEN HEILAND | Savior of the Nations, Come | Fortress, 3-8305 | Busarow | medium | SAB, flute, organ, congregation |
NUN KOMM DERHEIDEN HEILAND | Savior of the Nations, Come | Concordia, 97-5441 | Manz | easy | 2 flutes, oboe, organ, congregation |
O HEILAND REISS | O Saviour, Throw the Heavens Wide | G. Schirmer, 854.5 | Brahms | difficult | |
PICARDY | Let All Mortal flesh keep Silence | Augsburg, 11-1844 | Busarow | easy | SA or TB, congregation |
PICARDY | Let All Mortal flesh keep Silence | Stainer & Bell, 2309 | Hoist | easy | organ |
PUER NOBIS | Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth | Concordia, 98-2429 | Haan | easy | unison, organ, with optional handbells |
VENI EMMANUEL | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel | Concordia, 98-2022 | Lenel | easy | SAB, descant, organ |
VENI EMMANUEL | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel | Oxford, 84.194 | Rutter | easy | organ, baritone solo |
CHRISTMAS | |||||
Tune | Hymn Title | Publisher | Arranger | Difficulty | Notes |
ANTIOCH | Joy to the World | Hinshaw, HMC785 | Rutter | medium | piano (orchestral accompaniment available) |
AWAY IN A MANGER | Away in a Manger | Augsburg, 11-2049 | Pelz | easy | organ, violin |
DIVINUM MYSTERIUM | Of the Father's Love Begotten | Hope, A454 | Wohlgemuth | easy | |
ES IST EIN ROS | Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming | Concordia, 97-4849 | Distler | difficult | seven movements, one with alto solo, one for double chorus |
ES IST EIN ROS | Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming | Arista, AE109 | Distler | medium | two movements |
IN DULCI JUBILO | In dulci jubilo | Concordia, 98-1500 | Buxtehude | medium | SAB with instruments |
IN DULCI JUBILO | In dulci jubilo | Novello, 020730 | Pearsall | medium | SATB/SATB |
IN DULCI JUBILO | In dulci jubilo | King, 606 | Practorius | easy | brass or organ |
IN DULCI JUBILO | Good Christian Men, Rejoice | Augsburg, 11-9196 | Nystedt | easy | two violins, organ, and congregation ad lib. |
REGENT SQUARE | Angels from the Realm of Glory | G.I.A., G-2513 | Englert | easy | organ, two trumpets, congregation |
RENDEZ A DIEU (GENEVAN 98/118) | Christians, Sing Out with Exultation | Concordia, 98-2594 | Wolff | easy | organ |
RESONET IN LAUDIBUS | Sing with Joy, Glad Voices Lift | Concordia, 97-5111 | Distler | difficult | three movements, one in SA |
RESONET IN LAUDIBUS | Sing with Joy, Glad Voices Lift | Concordia, 97-4883 | Praetorius | medium | two choirs, SA and SSATB |
RESONET IN LAUDIBUS | Sing with Joy, Glad Voices Lift | Concordia, 98-20165 | Schroeder | easy | flute, violin, and cello (or organ) |
STILLE NACHT | Silent Night | Walton, W2345 | Sjolund | easy | organ or piano, optional oboe or flute, alto solo |
VON HIMMEL HOCH | From Heav'n Above | Augsburg, 1471 | Schein | medium | SSATB |
EPIPHANY | |||||
Tune | Hymn Title | Publisher | Arranger | Difficulty | Notes |
CRIMOND | The Shepherd Psalm | Hinshaw | Martin | easy | organ, alto solo |
DEO GRACIAS | O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High | Concordia, 98-1524 | Schalk | easy | optional 3 trumpets, organ |
DUKE STREET | Jesus Shall Reign | Augsburg, 11-2107 | Engel | easy | organ, trumpet, congregation ad lib. |
OLD HUNDREDTH | The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune | Oxford, 42P953 | Vaughn Williams | easy | organ, trumpet, congregation |
WIE SCHOEN LEUCHTET | There Shall Be a Star Come Out of Jacob | Schmitt, Hall, & Mc Creary, SGHCH 1903 | Mendelssohn | medium | organ |
WIE SCHOEN LEUCHTET | How Brightly Beams the Morning Star | Lawson-Gould 51200, HMC-787 | Praetorius | easy to medium | 4 settings, SAB to SSATB |