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SACRED CHORAL

My sacred choral music consists of anthems and service music written for church choirs that I have either directed or sung in. The anthems are organized by season and usage, and I am making some of them available in other voicings besides

just SATB. All of the service music that isn't lost has now been brought together into one collection,

which is available in the General section below.

Alternate voicings, where available, are accessed from the same link on J.W. Pepper.

Separate buttons access the alternate voicings on Sheet Music Plus.

All of the compositions and arrangements on this page include a link to a YouTube video

where you can preview the entire score (SATB only) while listening to a recording.

Christmas

CHRISTMAS

Oh Come Oh Come
Oh Come Oh Come by Dacker Music.jpg

OH COME, OH COME EMMANUEL

Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: ME

Duration: 5:00

Price for Vocal Score: $2.50 

Price for Instrumental Set: $15.00

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB, with baritone solo, organ, handbells, and solo F horn                                 PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

This is a fairly elaborate arrangement of the familiar Advent carol, useful as a Christmas music service processional, or for kicking off the Advent Season.

Instrumental set, sold separately, includes:  1 full score, 1 solo horn part, 6 handbell parts, 1 organ part

Read more about Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel

Download vocal score from Score Exchange

Download instrumental set from Score Exchange

Recording by the Bothell, Washington UMC Chant Choir and Chapel Bells - Jeremy Matheis, conductor

Greatest Gift
The Greatest Gift - SATB.jpg

THE GREATEST GIFT

The Greatest Gift - Richard E Brown - Henry Lebedinsky
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 3:30

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music         

SATB, SAB, or SA (with soprano solo) and piano | Words by Henry Lebedinsky 

 

                                                                                                                                        PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

A gentle Christmas/Epiphany anthem with the theme of what gift can we bring to the Christ Child, compared to the gifts of the Wise Men. Composed on Christmas Day 2015.

Also available for high voice solo and piano

Read more about The Greatest Gift

Download from Score Exchange     SATB    SAB    SA

Recording by The Kühn Choir of Prague - Lenka Navrátilová, conductor

Released by Navona Records on Christmas album Dashing - Vol. 3

New World
A New World of Justice - SATB.jpg

A NEW WORLD OF JUSTICE

A New World of Justice - Richard E Brown - Henry Lebedinsky
00:00 / 00:00

Level: ME

Duration: 4:30

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and piano | Words by Henry Lebedinsky                                     PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

Written for the Christmas Season, but also appropriate for the MLK Holiday or general-purpose use, this anthem is set to an inspiring text by Henry Lebedinsky, which draws striking parallels between the time of Jesus and troubling social issues of our own day.

Download from Score Exchange    SATB     SAB

Recording by The Kühn Choir of Prague - Lenka Navrátilová, conductor

Released by Navona Records on Christmas album Dashing - Vol. 3

Epiphany

EPIPHANY - GIVING

Beauty of Holiness
Beauty of Holiness.jpg

IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

In the Beauty of Holiness - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 3:40

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

 SATB a cappella | Words by John S.B. Monsell (1863)                                        PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

All about giving, this modal SATB a cappella anthem is appropriate for Pledge Sunday, the season of Epiphany, or as an offertory anthem any time.

Read more about In the Beauty of Holiness

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Lent

LENT

Kyrie
Kyrie Eleison.jpg

KYRIE ELEISON

Kyrie Eleison - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: MA

Duration: 4:20

Price: $2.25 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB divisi  -  a cappella                                                                                       PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

A modal a cappella setting for divided choir of the traditional liturgical plea for mercy.

Read more about Kyrie Eleison

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by the Central College A Cappella Choir - Davis Folkerts, conductor

Voice of Jesus
I Heard the Voice - SATB.jpg

I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS

I Heard the Voice of Jesus - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 4:05

Price: $2.25 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and organ | Music by Thomas Tallis  (1567) | Words by Horatius Bonar (1848)

                                                                                                                                    PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

A varied arrangement of Thomas Tallis' famous Third Mode Melody. This arrangement was written in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM, where I was the choir director.

My arrangement begins by directly quoting Ralph Vaughan Williams' 1906 re-voicing of Tallis' original a cappella hymn* over a sustained pedal point in the organ for the first verse. Then the organ enters fully and the other two verses are subjected to varied interaction between voices and organ before returning quietly to the a cappella RVW voicing for the last line.

* This was done to move the melody from tenor, as originally written by Tallis, to soprano for inclusion in The English Hymnal, which RVW was editing at the time.

Read more about I Heard the Voice of Jesus

Download from Score Exchange     SATB    SAB

Recording by the Edmonds, Washington UMC Choir - Henry Lebedinsky, conductor; Hyun-Ja Choi, organ

Nearer
Nearer, Still Nearer - SATB.jpg

NEARER, STILL NEARER

Nearer, Still Nearer - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 4:10

Price: $2.25 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

 SATB, SAB, or SSA and piano | Words by Lelia Naylor Morris  (1862-1929)    PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

 

An anthem that is especially appropriate for Lent, but also useful for just about any season. The third verse is a cappella. 

 

Read more about Nearer, Still Nearer

Download from Score Exchange     SATB    SAB    SSA

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

 


 

Selma
Selma and Stonewall SATB.jpg

SELMA AND STONEWALL

Selma and Stonewall - Richard E Brown - Henry Lebedinsky
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 4:00

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and piano | Words by Henry Lebedinsky                                    PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

 

Set to a powerful text by Henry Lebedinsky, exploring some troubling issues in Christian life, this anthem is most appropriate for the MLK Holiday, as well as during Lent and for Holy Week services.

Download from Score Exchange     SATB     SAB

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Where Would We Be
Where Would We Be - SATB.jpg

WHERE WOULD WE BE?

Where Would We Be? - Richard E Brown - Henry Lebedinsky
00:00 / 00:00

Level: MA

Duration: 4:15

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and piano | Words by Henry Lebedinsky                                      PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE


This piece is especially appropriate for Lent and Holy Week, as well as any service concerned with the poor and the homeless. Henry Lebedinsky's thought-provoking words, while they contain some imagery that some might find a bit disturbing, carry a very powerful message.

Read more about Where Would We Be?

Download from Score Exchange    SATB     SAB

Recording by the Edmonds, Washington UMC Choir -  Henry Lebedinsky, conductor

Easter

EASTER

Easter Carol
Easter Carol.jpg

EASTER CAROL

Easter Carol - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 2:00

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and piano | Words by St. John of Damascus (8th cent.) - trans. John M. Neale (1818-1866)

                                                                                                                                      PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

A joyous and lively celebration of Easter, originally written in 2003 as part of an Easter cantata that I co-wrote with the director of a church choir I sang in.

Read more about Easter Carol

Download from Score Exchange    SATB     SAB

Recording by the Edmonds, Washington UMC Choir -  David Hendrix, conductor

Alleluia
Alleluia.jpg

ALLELUIA

Alleluia - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 5:00

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB a cappella                                                                                                       PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

Beginning in a plainchant-like unison and then quickly spreading into parts, this a cappella setting was inspired by Randall Thompson's famous 1940 Alleluia.  Like that much-loved work, this is not a joyous paean, but a more introspective treatment. There is a brief nod to the Thompson piece worked into this one.

Read more about Alleluia

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

The Pulley
When God at First Made Man.jpg

WHEN GOD AT FIRST MADE MAN

When God at First Made Man - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 3:30

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB and piano | Words by George Herbert (1593-1632)                                     PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE


Although originally written as part of the same cantata as Easter Carol (above), When God at First Made Man is equally useful as a general-purpose anthem.

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Pentecost

PENTECOST

Spirit Divine
Spirit Divine.jpg

SPIRIT DIVINE, ATTEND OUR PRAYER

Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayer - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 2:30

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and piano | Words by Andrew Reed (1829)                                                 PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

Set to a text by English cleric Andrew Reed (1787-1862), this is a bright and lively anthem for Pentecost. It is also useful for any season when the service is concerned with the Spirit.

Download from Score Exchange    SATB     SAB

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Celebratory

CELEBRATORY

This Joyful Day
This Joyuful Day.jpg

THIS JOYFUL DAY

This Joyful Day - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 5:00

Price: $3.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB and organ | Words adapted from Frederick W. Goadby (1845-1880)   PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

 

A consecration/anniversary anthem adapting a 19th-century text, This Joyful Day was originally written in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM, where I was the choir director.

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Mother's Day

MOTHER'S DAY

Mother of Creation
Mother of Creation - SATB.jpg

MOTHER OF CREATION

Mother of Creation - Richard E Brown - Henry Lebedinsky
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 4:00

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB or SAB and organ | Words by Henry Lebedinsky                           PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

A Mothers' Day or general-purpose anthem that celebrates God as Mother. The words were originally written to the hymn tune Beach Spring, fragments of which are prominently featured in the organ part for the first 3 verses. Then on the final verse, over full organ and with a descant based on the opening tune, the choir presents it in full.

Download from Score Exchange     SATB      SAB 

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

General

GENERAL

Service Music
Service Music.jpg

 SERVICE MUSIC FOR THE CHURCH CHOIR

Service Music for the Church Choir - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: <1:00 each/~11:00 total

Price: $2.50 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB a cappella                                                                                                        PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

  Introits (4)                          0:00  (location on audio track)
Scripture Responses (2)     2:12
Alleluias (3)                        2:58
Prayer Responses (3)         4:03
Amens  1-4                          5:34
Amens  5-7                          6:54
Offering Responses  (2)     8:08
Benedictions  (3)                8:59

During my many years of singing in church choirs, as well as several years directing one, I produced quite a few short prayers and responses for the choir to sing during services. This gave them an opportunity to take a more active part in the liturgy than merely singing an anthem and leading hymns.

Many of these were published long ago in a booklet that is now out of print, while others have stayed with the churches they were written for. Now I have brought all of them that I could find, from both sources, together in this new collection. I hope you will find it useful for your choir.

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Come Unto Me
Come Unto Me - SATB.jpg

COME UNTO ME

Come Unto Me - Vincent S. Dussair / Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: ME

Duration: 4:00

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATBSAB, or SA  and piano | Music by Vincent S. Dussair | Words from Matt. 11:25-30 

 

                                                                                                    PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

General-purpose church anthem: my choral arrangement of what was originally a beautiful solo setting of the well-loved text from St. Matthew by a dear friend, now departed. Also available in mixed duet voicing.

Read more about Come Unto Me

Download from Score Exchange      SATB    SAB    SA

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Jesus Stand
Jesus. Stand Among Us.jpg

JESUS, STAND AMONG US

Jesus, Stand Among Us - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: M

Duration: 2:15

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

SATB a cappella | Words by William Pennefather (1855)                                   PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

This polyphonic setting for SATB a cappella of a 19th-century Irish text is short enough to be used as an introit or centering music, but long enough to hold its own as an anthem. It is appropriate for just about any church season.

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

Lord Is My Strength
The Lord Is My Strength.jpg

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

The Lord Is My Strength - Richard E Brown
00:00 / 00:00

Level: MA

Duration: 2:55

Price: $2.00 

 

Publisher: Dacker Music

 SATB a cappella | Words from Psalm 28:6-7 (RSV)                                           PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

A polyphonic setting for SATB a cappella of a short, but well-loved, passage from Psalm 28. Useful for just about any season, it can be also sung for Thanksgiving by substituting "Thanks be to the Lord" for "Praise be to the Lord" at the beginning, and "Thank him!" for "Praise him!" at the end.

Read more about The Lord Is My Strength

Download from Score Exchange

Recording by The First Readings Project - J. David Moore, conductor

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