Advent is a season of preparation and repentance as we anticipate the coming of our Lord and Savior. Help your congregation prepare with these five Advent settings for choral, organ, and handbell groups.
“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” | SAB, Piano, or Organ
Start your Advent preparations with this beautiful setting by Kenneth T. Kosche, inspired by Micahel Praetorius’ hymn tune composition, PUER NOBIS. The piece includes piano or organ accompaniment. Soprano and alto voices begin the setting, and baritone voices join one measure later to play off the melodic line. Your congregation will love hearing the voices move back and forth through the text as they prepare for Advent worship.
“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” | SA(T), Piano, Organ, Instrumental, Percussion
Beginning with an upbeat introduction featuring piano and flute, this choral piece for SA or SAT voices is set to the tune of MACHT HOCH DIE TÜR. Composed by Jonathan Kohrs, this piece will bring a smile to listeners’ faces and have them tapping along to the beat of the song. There are options to modify the instrumental parts for your needs using C, E-flat, or B-flat instruments. The piece is made for soprano and alto voicing, although there is an optional tenor line included for male voices.
“Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” | Organ
As a familiar organ piece, this setting will be a crowd pleaser. Composed by Charles Callahan to the tune of VENI EMMANUEL, “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” is a beautifully flowing piece for Advent. Originally found in Sonus Novus, Vol. 4, this piece is available for individual use. Use this setting as an introduction to Lutheran Service Book 357 or an offertory.
“Once He Came in Blessing” | Organ
Planning on playing Lutheran Service Book 333 this Advent? Add this organ setting by Henry V. Gerike to the tune GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN to your repertoire. Gerike’s setting makes the perfect introduction or accompaniment to the Advent hymn and your congregation’s voices.
“Wake, Awake!” | 3- to 5-Octave Handbells
This fun and joyful handbell piece is perfect for Advent as an offertory or closing piece. Made for three- to five-octave handbells and optional handchimes, this setting composed by Jeffrey Honoré shows a new take on Philipp Nicolai’s tune WACHET AUF. Challenge your handbell choir this year by trying this Level II+ piece.
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