St. James Music Press

When we received this book of anthems from Richard Shephard, he insisted on it being titled

God's Love; Succinct Choral Compositions for the Discerning Assemblage of Believers.

We agreed, of course — then, when he wasn't looking, changed the title to

(Tell it like it is...that's our motto)

Here are 21 very short pieces suitable for Introits, Anthems, Communion Pieces, Responses, Acclamations... just about anything a creative music director can come up with. They are ALL under two minutes in length, but don't be fooled — they are delicious. Like strawberry shortcake. Short but delicious. (that's our other motto).

There are unison, two-part, SAB, SATB, and mixed choir selections both accompanied and un and the difficulty ranges from very easy to frightfully medium.

It's a short book! Well...since all the pieces are short...so we made the price short as well —

Just $30

Permission to photocopy any or all of it as it suits your needs. A CD is included, of course, for your listening enjoyment — or feel free to make copies to hand out to the choir.

Choir Shorties
21- Extra-Short Choral Works
by Richard Shephard

Here's what's included:

These streaming files are best listened to with Windows Media Player. If you don't have it installed, get it here. It's free!
	Now Is The Time (SAB Choir and Organ) Romans 13:11 (ADVENT, GENERAL) Now is the time to wake out of sleep: for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
	The People That Walked In Darkness (SATB Choir and Organ) Isaiah 9: 2,6 (ADVENT, CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY, EPIPHANY) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. And they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
	Our God Shall Come (SATB Choir and Organ) Psalm 50: 34,6 (ADVENT, TRANSFIGURATION, GENERAL) Our God shall come and shall not keep silence. There shall go before him a consuming fire. And a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him. He shall call the heavens from above and the earth, that He may judge His people. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; For God alone is Judge.
	To Us A Child Is Born (SAB Choir and Organ) Isaiah 9: 6 (CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY, EPIPHANY) To us a child is born, to us a son is given: and his name will be called the Prince of Peace, Peace. To us a child is born.
	On Seeing The Star (SAB Choir and Organ) Matthew 2: 10,11 (EPIPHANY) On seeing the star, the wisemen rejoiced with exceeding great joy! And entering the house, they opened their gifts and presented their gifts; Gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
	There Is In God (Mixed Choir) Henry Vaughan (EPIPHANY, GENERAL) There is is in God, some say, a deep but dazzling darkness; as men here say it is late, it is dusk and shadows, because they see not all clear. O for that night, where I in him might live invisible and dim.
	The Sacrifice (SATB Choir and Organ) Psalm 51: 17 (ASH WEDNESDAY, LENT, GENERAL) The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart he will not despise.
	Hear Me When I Call (Two-Part Choir and Organ) Psalm 4: 1,6 (LENT, GENERAL) Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble. Have mercy upon me and hearken to my prayer. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Amen.
	Save Me, O God (Two-Part Choir and Organ) Psalm 54: 24 (LENT, GENERAL) Save me, O God for thy name's sake and avenge me in thy strength. For tyrants which have not God before them seek after my soul. Behold God is my helper, the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. Amen.
	The Eyes Of All (SATB Choir and Organ) Psalm 145: 15 (LENT, COMMUNION, GENERAL) The eyes of all wait wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them their food in due season. Amen.
	Drop, Drop Slow Tears (Unison Choir and Organ) Phineas Fletcher (LENT) Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet, which brought from heaven the news and Prince of Peace. Cease not, wet eyes, his mercies to entreat; to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease. In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears; nor let his eye see sin, but through my tears.
	Christ Our Passover (SAB Choir and Organ) I Corinthians 5: 78 (EASTER, COMMUNION) Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia.
	Salvation To Our God (SATB Choir and Organ) Revelation 7: 10,12 (EASTER) Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be unto to our God, forever and ever. Amen.
	The Heavens Declare (SATB Choir and Organ) Psalm 19: 1,14 (EASTER, GENERAL) The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth His handiwork. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength And my redeemer.
	God’s Love (SAB Choir and Organ) Romans 5: 5 (PENTECOST, LENT, TRINITY, GENERAL) God's love has been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit he has given us. God's love has been shed abroad.
	The Visitation (SATB Choir, Solos and Organ) Luke 1: 40-42, Reginald Heber (ADVENT, VISITATION) Mary entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spoke out with a loud voice and said; "Blessed art thou among women, and blest is the fruit of thy womb." Virgin born, we bow before thee, blessed was the womb that bore thee, Mary, mother meek and mild, blessed was she in her child.
	By Day And By Night (SAB Choir and Organ) Revelation 4: 8 (TRINITY, GENERAL) By day and by night they sing: round the Holy throne: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty: He was, He is, and He is to come.
	Almighty God (SATB Choir and Organ) BCP (GENERAL) Almighty God, your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
	While God May Be Found (SATB Choir and Organ) Isaiah 55: 67 (LENT, EPIPHANY, EASTER VIGIL, GENERAL) While God may be found, we will seek God; While God is near we will call; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord; for they will find mercy and abundant pardon from God.
	Bless Us, O God (Two-Part Choir and Organ) BCP (GENERAL) Bless us, O God, with a reverent sense of your presence, that we may be at peace and may worship you with all our mind and spirit. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
	Rejoice We All, And Praise The Lord (SATB Choir and Cantor) Sequence for All Saint’s Day (ALL SAINT’S DAY) Rejoice we all, and praise the Lord, celebrating a holy day in honor of all the saints; In whose solemnity the angels are joyful, and glorify the Son of God. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. For it becometh well the just to be thankful. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.