Pick Six By:
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu
Repertoire and Resources Chair for Music in Worship
Westminster Presbyterian Church
tesfa@wpc-mpls.org
Lift Up the Name of the Lord
John Helgen
Kjos Music Press 9171
SSATB, piano
Also available: Kjos Music Press SSAA
I had the opportunity to watch Sigrid Johnson rehearse the Minnesota SSAA All-State choir on this piece and immediately thought, “Hey, there should be an SATB version of this as well.” The wait is over, folks! I had the opportunity to sing this at John’s 60th birthday party this year, with him at the piano, and it is truly a soulful sing, with teeth. Don’t be deterred by the ink on this one. Once you start it, it just sings itself. Maybe you can even convince John to come over and workshop your choir and jam out on the keys!
You Are God
David M. Cherwien
Morning Star Music Publishers MSM-50-8953
SATB, organ, cello, opt. treble instrument in C
opt. treble instrument in C and cello available separately
This Psalm 90 setting features stunning orchestration of the organ, cello and C instrument, along with beautiful, unexpected harmonic shifts that marvelously illuminate the text. David did a masterful job at keeping this piece in the accessible, yet interesting category, and I believe that this is a must add for your church library.
Let Us Not Become Weary
Benjamin Kornelis
musicspoke.com
SATB, solo, piano
I haven’t yet performed this piece with my choir during service, but they absolutely love rehearsing and singing it! One thing I can guarantee is that Benjamin’s setting will be a glorious, uplifting sing whenever programmed in worship. Be ready to get taken to church, y’all!
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
Matthew Culloton
Morning Star Music Publishers MSM-50-3072
SATB, flute, piano or harp
flute and harp part available separately
Dr. Culloton’s setting of My Shepherd Will Supply My Need is an absolute winner! The gorgeous suspensions that weave effortlessly through the different voice parts, the fresh, yet subtle reharmonization moments that appear throughout spark interest and allow this setting to truly stand out from the pack. I personally love the piano and flute pairing, but the harp is just as effective.
Blessed be the Lord, My Rock
Abbie Betinis
Graphite Publishing GP – B004
SAB, a cappella
opt. accompaniment by organ or piano
This is an emotional tribute that was written on September 12, 2001, a day after the devastating 9/11 attacks on our soil. Abbie’s scoring for the voice is so honest and effective in this setting of Psalm 144. Don’t let the SAB voicing fool you…this piece isn’t an “easy sing.” It requires attention to nuance and phrasing, but when sung accurately it will definitely leave an indelible print on your congregation’s heart.
Love Is
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu
Manuscript
SATB, a cappella
This piece was written for Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis for World Communion Sunday 2016. I don’t sell this composition, it is freely distributed to anybody interested in performing it. All I ask is that you give a donation to an organization that shares “acts of love” in your community. At the end of the project, let me know which organization you supported and how much you gave. It would be great to have the participants dialogue on which organization to donate. Some might find the project to be self-righteous, I think of it as necessary in spurring dialogue that can hopefully bring all of us closer to the middle. The participants don’t need to agree that something like this is needed. I actually hope that some don’t agree but that they have to be able and willing to have that conversation without completely dismissing the other side. That’s why I’m doing it, and why it matters to me.