School and Community Choir Music
Be True to Your Song SAT(B) Heritage Great song for school or church. Be who you were created to be.
Press On - Heritage/Lorenz 15/3722H Great message anthem. “Press on, let the challenge of the road make you strong.”
A Merry Christmas Wish - Hal Leonard 00159832 From the publisher: has taken one of the classic Christmas concert closers, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, added two new engaging counter-melodies, and wrapped them in an easy swing that invites the audience to sing along. Reminiscent in format to the Christmas classic Peace, Peace, this clever carol setting is sure to follow suit. A rhythm part is available separately as is a performance/rehearsal track. Cue sized-notes enable this voicing to work for middle school choirs on up.
Blessed Are the Peacemakers – Shawnee A 7949 (drum part transcribed by Harold Green)
Create a Rhythm – Lorenz 15/3001H See the Music For school and community groups. HIGH on the cool factor. With an African beat, the music and text focuses on the touch of creation that in all of nature and in every human heart. Listen for the rainstorm in the middle verse. Parts forcabasa, congas, djembe, and marimba (30/2930H)
Fill-a-Me-Up - with Spanish text Monarch SAB:10/3439M (SATB: 10/2807) Also TTBB Rehearsal tracks available! In addition to adult choirs, this has been used with many youth choir and festivals.
Give Us Peace-Glorysound A 7311 from PSALMS OF THE WOOD. (Click title to for text and recording.)
I Gave My Love a Cherry – Alfred (SATB:41605) (The Riddle Song) This is a school arrangement of a beautiful folk song. Years ago, I heard Doc Watson sing it and I was struck by its soulful simplicity. (SAB:41606, SSA:41697) This is a gorgeous demo. Also see “The Blessing Riddle”, a church piece with the same tune.
If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking -Heritage (school and community) 15/2035H
Lay Up Your Treasures – Lorenz 10/1461M (new TTBB: 10/3766) My assignment was to write a stewardship piece - not an easy subject. So I went to the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew. This has appeared in the American Choral Director’s National Convention reading session.
Like, I Like to Say Like – Heritage SATB:15/3134H SAB:15/3136H SSA: 15/3135H This is a humorous piece poking fun at the way we like, use the word, “like”.
Look Up, Way Down – Alfred 00-31171 (2pt: 00-31173) (SAB:00-31172)
Silent Night for All the World – Fred Bock Music SATB: HL08750130. view A warm closing for choir programs. This uses the text in English, German, Korean, Spanish and a bit of Swahili. It finishes with a powerful message of peace.I’ve had some powerful testimonials for this one. SAB: HL 08751665. Score and Parts: Hl 08750131 (with optional accordion/synth, guitar and congas)
Tapestry of Love - Beckenhorst BP2189 view Good for church and school, this celebrates faithful service to others. “As a tapestry’s woven, thread…, so deeds of kindness and words that are said form a tapestry of love.”
You Are Wonderfully Made – Lorenz 10/4379L The 2nd verse says, “Remember that you’re a child of God, part of God’s creation. So when you feel that you are weak and flawed, remember that you’re a child of God.”
You Will Reap What You Sow – Lorenz 15/2868H view A cappella piece for school and community groups. After releasing the church version, Reap What You Sow, (see above) some teachers said that their students needed to hear this lesson and asked me to write a text appropriate for schools.
Walk a Mile (arr. by Mark Hayes) - Alfred 19319 Rehearsal tracks available!
We Are Not Alone Hal Leonard HL 35025075 Also in TTBB, SSA. Rehearsal tracks available! This is one of my most enduring pieces. Sung by many school groups. It appears in both Our Father: A Journey through the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23. There are several youtube renditions.