Anthems, Concert music, Other church music, Hymns, etc. (click here for Vespers)
- Email me for anything you’d like, and I’ll ship it to you with an invoice. Prices are below.
- Everything is professionally printed on octavo size.
- Sample score and audio files are below, but email me if something you’d like to see isn’t up here yet (In preparation anthems are at the bottom of the page, goodness, must get to those). Thank you!
Anthems
Behold, the Best, the Greatest Gift
SATB, organ. $2.10. Email
Commissioned for the installation of the new Kegg pipe organ at Phoenixville Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania. Original tune, text from Scottish Hymnal, early American refrain text. Excellent for larger choirs, lilting and rhythmic.
Come, Gather All
SATB, organ, opt. brass quartet. $1.90. Email
Commissioned for the 100th Anniversary of St. Eleanor Parish, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, brand-new text by Paul Berchtold. Lively and moderately easy; can be done with organ and brass or just organ.
Come, Ye Sinners
SATB choir, organ. $1.80. Email
The most popular anthem. Tune from The Sacred Harp. Alternating optional solos and choir lead to an easy 4-voice canon, an exciting full section, and a simple repeat of the beginning. “Compelling… attractive… straightforward, driving rhythm” —Journal of Church Music
God So Loved the World
SATB. $1.30. Email
Captivating setting of the John 3:16 text, suitable as anthem or responsory. Long lines, medium difficulty.
Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn from Vespers
SATB div a 16. German. $2.10. Email
The ninth movement of Vespers, an a cappella tour de force for larger choirs. Starts in four voices, then divides into eight, then 16, back to four. Excerpt:
Holy Is the Lord
SSATBB. $1.30. Email
An a cappella Holy Trinity setting, suitable as anthem or responsory. Haunting and moderately difficult for larger choirs.
Holy Mountain
SATB, organ. $1.80. Email
Original tune with an early American sound that recalls shape-note singing with spare harmonies. Popular. Listen to the choir of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, directed by John French:
I Sought the Lord, and Afterward I Knew
opt. soprano solo, SATB. $1.80. Email
The tune is Peace, from The Revivalist, 1869. The text is from The Pilgrim Hymnal, 1904. A very straightforward beginning with optional solo opens up into a confident 4-part proclamation of faith.
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
SATB, organ. $2.10. Email
Original music for the well-known hymn text, first composed as a wedding piece for solo voice and organ. Warm harmonies with a colorful, chant-like melody. Easy to medium.
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
SATB, organ. $1.80. Email
Very popular. The beautiful 1855 Southern Harmony tune Resignation, in a warm, simple setting. Also one of the three arrangements for violin and piano in American Spirituals, Book One.
O Sing unto the Lord a New Song
SATB. $1.80. Email
Modern fuguing tune setting the first two verses of Psalm 98. The opening with flexible voicing leads to an easy imitative section. More adventurous harmonies set “The Lord has made known his salvation,” which leads to a repeat of the beginning. Moderate and very effective.
Passer invenit sibi domum (Psalm 84)
SATB. $1.60. Email
Challenging a cappella setting of Psalm 84:3,4 in Latin: “Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thy altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will still be praising thee.”
Psalm 113 from Vespers
SATB, keyboard. Latin. $2.10. Email
The seventh movement of Vespers, with keyboard reduction. Excerpt of original:
Unto the Hills
SATB div. $1.90. Email
Appropriate for larger groups, this was composed for a college choir. Setting of the well-known “Sandon” tune. “Unto the hills around do I lift up My longing eyes; O whence for me shall my salvation come? From whence arise?”
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Fair the Bright and Morning Star) from Vespers
SATB, keyboard. German, English. $2.30. Email
The second movement of Vespers, with an original English translation by the composer added to the German text. Keyboard reduction. Excerpt of original:
The Word of God
SATB, organ. $2.10. Email
Anthem setting of an original hymn, text by the Rev. Michael Tavella. The Word as God’s Son and proclaimed Gospel. Composed for the combined churches celebrating the 300th Anniversary of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Concert music
Now ys the Tyme of Crystymas (Richard Hill)
SATB div., opt piano. 4′. $2.60. Email
Program notes
Video of premiere
Now ys the Tyme of Crystymas (Richard Hill)
vocal quartet (SATB), opt piano. 4′. $2.60. Email
Program notes
Psalm 46
baritone-2*.2.2.2-2.2.3.1-timp.1perc-SATB-str. 14′. Email for pricing
Program notes
Excerpt 1, The nations rage
Two Laudate Psalms
high voice, SA, piano. 10′. Email for pricing
Reviews
Psalm 113
Psalm 150
Vespers
SSSATB soloists from within the choir, SSAATTBB choir of at least 16 singers, Renaissance band of seven players. 65′. Email for pricing
Program notes
Audio samples
Reviews
Buy the CD
Full score, vocal score, parts available
Where Flames a Word (Paul Celan)
SATB div. 13′. Email for pricing
Reviews
Buy the CD
Program notes
1. Before your late face, page 5 
2. Conversation in the Mountains, page 13 
3. I know you, you are the deeply bowed, page 23. 
Other church music
Psalm
Holy Trinity—Psalm 29 (unison, accompanied, with [opt. SATB] Antiphon)
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
see also O Lord, Our Lord, Your Excellent Name [Psalm 8] under Hymns
Gospel Acclamations (Verses)
Email me for a list.
Offertory
Reformation—Romans 12:1,2 (bar, SATB, org)
I appeal to you, therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Magnificat
Magnificat. SATB, handbells, opt. organ. 4′. Email
Magnificat Antiphon. SATB, congregation, organ. Email
Hymns
Creation sings with grateful praise
(Michael G. Tavella). Harmonization and voicing only; tune by Michael G. Tavella
A Mighty Fortress
2.2.2.2-2.2.3.1-timp.1perc-unison voices-str. 12′
Arrangement of the Martin Luther hymn for congregational singing. Commissioned by Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, for its 175th Anniversary. Premiered 18 May 2004, Verizon Hall, Philadelphia, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Paul Jones, Conductor.
O heavenly minstrel
(Michael G. Tavella)
O helper Spirit, You are here
(Michael G. Tavella)
O Lord, Our Lord, your excellent name
(Kile Smith, based on Psalm 8)
Powers of heaven
(Michael G. Tavella)
To you, O Father, give we solemn praise
(Michael G. Tavella)
The Word of God
(Michael G. Tavella)
Hymn Reharmonizations
Hymn reharmonizations for organ
1. Aurelia The Church’s One Foundation
2. Azmon Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
3. Cwm Rhondda Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
4. Duke Street Jesus Shall Reign
5. Easter Hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today
6. Lancashire Lead on, O King Eternal
7. Lasst uns Erfreuen All Creatures of Our God and King
8. Lobe den Herren Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
9. National Hymn God of Our Fathers
10. Praise, My Soul Praise, My Soul
11. St. Denio Immortal, Invisible
12. Trinity (Italian Hymn) Come Thou, Almighty King
In preparation
Amazing Grace. opt. SATB solos, SATB.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. SATB, SATB solos, organ
My God, Accept My Heart This Day. opt solo instrument, SAB solos, SATB, organ.
Psalm 84. SATB.
Psalm 117. 5-part round.
That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright. SATB.
