Music for Choir

Ah, Holy Jesus
SATB, a cappella
Augsburg Fortress

Drawing on sacred choral traditions through the centuries, Timothy Shaw has fashioned this penetrating a cappella arrangement of a timeless Lenten hymn. The setting relies on the beauty of drone, parallel 5ths, and layered vocal lines to present a pensive look at Christ’s suffering, and the deeply personal confession repeated through the text.

A Christmas Glora
Unison/2-part, Piano
Shawnee

Rhythmic energy radiates throughout this piece that proclaims the joyous message sung by angels the first Christmas night, “Gloria in excelsis Deo!” The celebratory refrain begins and ends the piece while a slightly more relaxed middle section offers a pleasing contrast. A fine choice for both unison and unison/2-part choirs, especially for choirs of older elementary voices.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
SAB, piano
MorningStar Music

A beloved text with a new tune that is sure to become a favorite of your musicians. With many unison passages and effective three-part writing that opens into fuller chords at the conclusion, this anthem is suitable for use with smaller and larger choirs. The text focuses on God’s saving grace and is appropriate for use throughout the church year.

Do Not I Love Thee, O My Lord?
SATB, a cappella
Augsburg Fortress

A sensitive, expressive anthem based on the sturdy early American tune DETROIT, perfectly capturing the deeply personal text that seeks to grow in the love for God.

An Easter Alleluia!
Unison, Handbells, Piano
Shawnee

This jubilant anthem for Easter day recounts the miraculous story of Christ’s resurrection. Unison voices singing “alleluias” with the peal of optional handbells proclaim together the glorious news that Jesus lives!

For the Bread Which You Have Broken
SATB, piano
MorningStar Music

A beautiful prayer for communion. Mostly unison and two-part writing, with one four-part verse and optional a cappella sections it concludes with a lovely twofold Amen. Appropriate for use at communion services throughout the church year.

Give Praise to God
Unison/2-part, Piano
Choristers Guild

This well-crafted piece by composer Timothy Shaw is a joyful, jubilant selection for your upper-elementary or youth choir. The buoyant accompaniment expertly supports the lyrical vocal phrases, and the B section offers a lovely contrast to the primary melody. A great Psalm-based anthem for use in worship or festival.

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
SATB, Piano
Beckenhorst

A strong musical and textual statement, useful for any occasion of worship all year, but especially powerful on Christmas morning. Scored for SATB choir and piano, this new setting of a time-honored hymn of praise is accessible to most church choirs.

Hark, the Glad Sound!
SATB, a cappella
Augsburg Fortress

Using the nineteenth-century American tune DUNLAP’S CREEK, Timothy Shaw has fashioned a four-part, a cappella anthem for Advent that is immediately appealing and engaging. The anthem builds from a hushed unison to a rich harmonic palette with a soaring soprano descant, as each verse captures musically the vivid images presented in the text.

How Can I Keep from Singing?
Unison/2-part, piano, opt. C treble instrument
Hope

For Unison or Two-Part choirs here is a Quick Study Choral of Robert Lowry’s beloved hymn. Arranger Timothy Shaw captures its gentle, prayerful nature and has added a lovely optional part for violin or flute that enhances the early-American feel of the tune.

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Unison/2-part, keyboard, opt. C instrument
Augsburg Fortress

Beauty and flexibility abound in this strophic setting of the beloved Apple Tree Carol. Written in a minor key with a pensive mood, the unison stanzas could be shared by children, soloists, or choir sections. Optional vocal harmony and instrumental obbligato add further texture options.

Jesus, Refuge of the Weary
SATB, Piano
Beckenhorst

A time-honored text comes to life in this passionate setting for SATB Choir and Piano. Both beautiful and powerful in the telling of the story of salvation, placing the cross and the Crucified “in our hearts forever.” Suitable for any occasion of worship during Passion Week, particularly poignant for Good Friday.

Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread
SATB, Piano
MorningStar Music

Set to a graceful original melody, this 19th-century text is reminiscent of Psalm 23. The supportive piano accompaniment complements a nicely varied choral texture. Truly lovely, this anthem is perfect for World Communion Sunday or any time you want a personal response to the Eucharist.

Love Came Down at Christmas
Unison, Treble Instrument, and Piano, with opt. Descant
MorningStar Music

A simple but lovely original melody fits the Rosetti text beautifully, making this a sure winner for your upcoming Christmas season. Adult or youth choirs will find this an effective anthem for the season, requiring little rehearsal for maximum effect.

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
SA, TB, solos, piano
Concordia

A pair of settings by Timothy Shaw of the Magnificat (for SA choir and piano) and the Nunc Dimittis (for TB choir and piano). A short, solo recitative precedes each canticle: Isaiah 7:14 for tenor solo before the Magnificat and Luke 2:25 for soprano solo before the Nunc Dimittis.

More Love to Thee
SATB, Piano
Beckenhorst

Composer Timothy Shaw takes the original text by Elizabeth Prentiss (1856) and sets it to his own original music. The result is a beautifully written, highly singable melody in which the voices and accompaniment are intertwined.

O Jesus, I Have Promised
SATB, Piano
Beckenhorst

Many will be the times that this anthem blesses and enriches a service of worship. This lovely new setting for SATB Choir and Piano is strong and resolute while at the same time tender and submissive. Use it often.

O Land of Rest, for Thee I Sigh
SATB, Keyboard
Kjos Music

Solid diatonic harmonies and rhythms bring flavor to Timothy Shaw’s setting of this achingly beautiful tune from The Sacred Harp, “New Prospect.” Useful throughout the church year, or for programs featuring American music, and for memorial tributes and dedications.

Prepare the Royal Highway
SATB, tambourine
Augsburg Fortress

Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s word! This celebratory anthem features elegant choral writing that will inspire your choir and assembly alike. Easy to learn and satisfying to sing, the anthem weaves four-part, two-part, and unison textures with a tambourine part that will add a festive element to your Advent season.

Psalm 117
2-part mixed, keyboard
Concordia

Timothy Shaw provides a simple, quiet setting of this psalm of praise. Using two-part mixed choir for presenting the psalm text, the piece concludes with a series of alleluias. Psalm 117 has often been associated with the season of Epiphany.

Psalm 121
Unison/2-part, piano
Choristers Guild

A beautiful selection for older elementary choirs, this anthem combines modern harmonies with a flowing melody and timeless text. The optional second vocal part creates an echo effect that illustrates the expanse of God’s love and might.

See amid the Winter’s Snow
2-part mixed, piano
Concordia

A delicate keyboard accompaniment supports a lyric melody and lush harmonic progressions for this imaginative Christmas text.

We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth
SAB, piano
Concordia

Timothy Shaw offers a wonderful modern perspective on Martin Luther’s Christmas hymn, “We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth” for SAB choir and piano. With an expressive piano part and delicate melody, this beautiful arrangement encapsulates the true Christmas spirit of hushed wonderment and joy in the incarnation.

Who Trusts in God
2-part, piano
Concordia

A pensive interpretation of the hymn “Who Trusts in God a Strong Abode” including an all new melody by Timothy Shaw for two-part equal voices, organ or piano, and with an optional solo. This is the hymn of the day for Trinity 23 and is appropriate for services themed around trust and God’s providence.

Winds through the Olive Trees
SAB, piano, C treble instrument
Choristers Guild

This stirring anthem depicts images from the first Christmas night with grace and charm and proclaims the familiar song of the angels Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Beautifully scored for three parts, the addition of a C-Treble instrument enhances this anthem’s beauty.