Liturgical Lent Anthems for the Church Choir

A beautiful rendering of this well-known Lenten text, for two-part harmony and optional accompaniment. Occasional dissonances add drama and tension to this traditional composition. Beautiful.

Originally attributed to W.A. Mozart, this sacred gem is a staple of the choral literature and a fine choice to develop blend, intonation and phrasing with your mixed choirs. Appropriate for Lent, communion

A haunting chromatic melody attaches itself to this text pleading for God's mercy. The lower voices are shrouded by the angelic upper voices throughout. Halfway through the piece, the minor mode transforms

Sometimes setting a very familiar text to a new tune causes the words to land on the ear with new meaning. Such is the case for this lyrical, flowing SATB setting by Michael Larkin. Four verses with a

Based on the familiar German hymn HERLIEBSER JESU, this unaccompanied motet offers a sublime musical experience for congregations and audiences alike during the season of Lent. Anchored by a homophonic

With a fresh new text by Susan Palo Cherwien, As Your Spirit in the Desert is especially perfect for the first Sunday in Lent. Written for SATB choir or soloist, organ, optional oboe, and

Based in part on Genesis 3:19, this anthem was designed for Ash Wednesday. Written for assembly, SAB choir, keyboard, guitar, oboe, and cello, the music and text combine to create a meaningful piece for the

Willan wrote three settings of the classic Eucharistic text. This setting, one of his finest, is written in the key of g minor, evoking the world-famous Ave Verum of William Byrd. The rich harmony

This is a brief but well-crafted a cappella SATB choral setting in modern musical notation of the well-known Gregorian chant. Sung in Latin, it is ideal for Eucharistic adoration or for any Eucharistic

This Baroque-like anthem incorporates accessible contrapuntal technique, making it satisfying for singer and listener alike. With a voicing for smaller ensembles, use for Lent or communion.

Throughout scriptures, the trumpet sounds alarm, offers praise and jubilation, gathers the nations, serves as signal and other ceremonial functions. Here, the trumpet sounds to invite people to reflect upon

Constructed almost as a choral recitative and aria, the first section But He Was Pierced is unaccompanied. All We Like Sheep follows, with its jaunty changing meters and a keyboard

Touching on topics of Christian life - discipleship, love for others, and social concern - this anthemic assembly song, complete with expressive key change for the final refrain, is stirring and

For SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied. An impressive setting of the Gradual for Maundy Thursday, dating from 1884, the period of the Seventh Symphony and the Te Deum. A staple for choirs around the world

Based on Joel 2:13, this verse and refrain anthem is a meaningful choice during the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday. The music is lyrical and asks the listener to "Come back to the Lord."  There

The melody of this accessible setting of a hymn from All Creation Sings is sweeping and lyrical and the baritone harmony is well-suited for both bass and tenor voice. The Ruth Duck text highlights

This humble prayer is simply and beautifully set for a cappella choir and may be performed in Latin or English. Conservative vocal ranges in each part make this approachable, and carefully placed cluster

From a set of three anthems, this elegant setting of Psalm 51 is for unison choir or solo voice and organ accompaniment.

A new text and tune for Ash Wednesday with unison or two-part choir for children's voices, piano and flute. Don Petering's text explores the meaning of the ashen cross worn on Ash Wednesday.  The

The pain of the cross is portrayed as well as the glory we have in the salvation won for us on Christ's account. Lush harmonies will provide an accessible challenge for your choir. This anthem is especially

This hauntingly beautiful arrangement is a devotion for reflecting on Jesus' suffering in his Passion. The allegorical technique used here tells the story of Jesus' crowning with thorns from the perspective

The familiar text, "At the cry of the first bird, they began to crucify Thee, O Swan," is set for acapella voices in this haunting arrangement. Staggered entrances lead to homophonic sections. Melismatic