Choral Music for Lent and Easter

The hymn anthems listed on this page are appropriate for use during Lent and Easter. All of the tunes and texts appear in one or more of the three new Reformed hymnals: Rejoice in the Lord, the Psalter Hymnal, and the Trinity Hymnal.

Choirs will discover that the hymn anthem is an effective way of familiarizing both themselves and the congregation with some of the hymns in these new hymnals. A stanza from a choral arrangement can serve well as an alternate stanza for choir in congregational singing.

All anthems are SATB a cappella unless indicated otherwise.

LENT
ARLINGTON
-Amazing Grace
G. Schirmer, 918
tenor solo, SAATTBB
medium Shaw/Parker
CRUCIFER
-Lift Hight the Cross
Augsburg, 11-1890
two-part mixed, organ, trumpet descant,
optional SATB sections
easy Bursarow
AMSI
optional brass quartet, organ,
descant, congregation
medium Vickery
HAMBURG
-When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Presser, 312-40785
organ, SSAATTBB
medium Martin
HERLIZH TUT
-Choral Variations on "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
Word, CS-2399 medium/difficult Sjolund
-O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Concordia, 98-2053
flute, optional strings and organ
medium/easy Bach
Brodt, 1003
SSAB, organ, strings, winds
easy Kellner
HERLIEBSTER JESU
-Ah, Holy Jesus
Augsburg, 11-1134
SSAB
easy Nelson
WONDROUS LOVE
-Wondrous Love
G. Schirmer, 907 medium Shaw/Parker
Broadman, 4561-30
descant, organ
easy Thiman
PALM SUNDAY
ST. THEODULPH
-All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Concordia, 98-2250
unison, soprano, oboe or violin, keyboard
easy Bach
Concordia, 97-4513
congregation, trumpet, organ
  Bunjes
-To Zion Jesus Came
H. W. Gray, 2330
with Junior Choir
easy Williams
EASTER
CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
-Christ Lay in Death's Dark Prison
G. Schirmer, 2036
cantata in seven movements,
strings and organ
difficult Bach
CHRISTUS IST ERSTANDEN
-Christ the Lord is Risen
H. W. Gray, CMR-1129
organ
medium/easy Whitehead
-His Spirit Leads On (Easter Carol)
G. Schirmer, 91972
brass or organ, percussion
difficult Pfautsch
EASTER HYMN
-Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Hope, HH-3920
organ, optional brass quartet, timpani,
congregation
medium/easy Hopson
GELOBT SEI GOTT
-The Strife is O'er
Oxford, 42.219
organ
easy Ley
Oxford, 44.205
SSA, organ
easy Ley
Concordia, 98-1982 easy Vulpius
Concordia, 98-2099
organ
easy Wolff
LLANFAIR
-Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise
G.I.A., G-2418
organ, congregation
medium/easy Powell
O FILII ET FILAE
-O Sons and Daughters
G. Schirmer, 9950 easy Shaw/Parker
VRUCHTEN
-This Joyful Eastertide
CRC Publications, 24-3700
organ and strings (choir sings from the hymnal)
easy Holmbo
G. Schirmer, 9941 easy Shaw/Parker
Boosey and Hawks, 5223
unison and organ
easy Somervell
Belwin-Mills, 64147 easy Wood
H. W. Gray, CMR-2790
optional brass quartet
medium Wyton

Howard Slenk is director of music at Woodlawn CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

Reformed Worship 6 © December 1987, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.