Children’s choral

Recommended by Carolyn Blake, organist/choir director at Ogden Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Binghamton, NY.

I’m Going on a Journey, arr. Zebulon M.

Highben, Augsburg Fortress 978-0-8006-6402- 2, 2009, unison voices, piano, bass guitar, tenor saxophone, opt. assembly, $1.75. Written by Edward V. Bonnemere (1921- 1996) – tune name WET SAINTS – with words by Kenneth D. Larkin, this arrangement is for the ChildrenSing series. The text is appropriate for remembering one’s baptism, or All Saints. It has a strong swing feeling, and could be a solo with the sax as the “duet” part. Instructions are included to help with balance. Instrument and assembly parts are available for download at www.augsburgfortress.com

Creating God, Your Fingers Trace,

Michael Burkhardt, Augsburg Fortress 978-0- 8006-6420-6, 2009, 2-part treble voices, organ, opt. recorder or flute, cello, handbells, $1.60. Words by Jeffrey Rowthorn are set to the

tune PROSPECT. It is a calm praise tune – more like being in awe of God’s creation, with punctuation by handbell chords (8 bells needed). Flute/recorder part is important, but the organ can cover the cello part if necessary.

Light of Light, Nancy Gifford, Choristers

Guild CGA1162, 2009, unison and piano, $1.75. The title makes this seem like it would be

for Epiphany, but it is certainly good for any time. It is a prayer/praise anthem. Basic Latin words are used to finish the verses (pronuncia- tion given). For children who need to learn to read music (for me that is 3rd grade) this is easy to follow, teaching about repeats, endings and rests. I would have them learn this in May/ June for use in September on that first outing with only one rehearsal!

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The Good Samaritan, Lynn Shaw Bailey

and Becki Slagle Mayo, Choristers Guild CGA 1168, 2009, unison/two-part and piano, $1.85. This is based on Luke 10:25-37, but there is an optional scripture-based spoken introduc-

tion for three readers. The main point is to find out “Who is my neighbor?” The song answers the question with a lively, syncopated tune. It tells the story and ends with an admonition for all: “Love your neighbor, too!”

Follow Me, Julia Simon, Augsburg Fortress 978-0-8006-6404-6, 2009, unison voices, opt. two-part, and piano, $1.30. The story of “fishers of men” in a lilting tune, is based on Mark 1:14-20. The repeated and echoed “follow me” is appealing and makes it easy to learn. I might add finger cymbals (or triangles) on the long notes and at the end. The ChildrenSing series provides unison and 2-part music especially suited for a general children’s choir. It may be used for smaller adult choirs as well.

Children Sing Psalms, Marilyn Comer,

editor, Augsburg Fortress 978-0-8006-6387-2, 2009, fifteen psalms for cantor, choir, and congregation, $29.95.

While we were learning things at the Fellowship convocation last summer in Orlando, this book was being released. Well-known choral composers have contributed to the psalm settings here. The lectionary listing is in the back, so I went right to work, and have now used two of the settings ... with adults. We use the psalms weekly from the hymnbook, so this is a nice change. I wouldn’t want to do it every week, but it makes people pay attention to the words when it is presented in a different way. The congregation participated in one, and just the choir for the other. The parts for both are reproducible (three sections of the book) and there are lots of suggestions for uses. Good resource.

All Nature Sings – A Children’s Musical,

Aaron David Miller and Herbert F. Brokering, with CD, Augsburg Fortress 978-0-8006-6397-1, 2009, $29.95.

The title tells it all ... except for the cleverness of the music! A minstrel moves around the earth gathering the gifts of creation – wind and air, trees and plants, water and birds. The finale is a hymn of praise for all these things. The solos and ensemble parts are not too difficult; the instrumental parts are more demanding. The Leader-Accompaniment book has a separate keyboard part and a CD with listening and accompaniment tracks. Also available: downloadable bass part and T-shirt logo, choral score ($2) and a DVD of scenery ($25). This would make a great summer project

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010 • WORSHIP ARTS

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