ServiceMusic
Music in the service of the church in the service of the world
These settings, freely available, are intended for congregational use (subject to liturgical context) and to be accessible to the "small church".
Most are written to Church of England (Anglican) Common Worship texts but will also suit many other churches and denominations. You are invited to explore and adopt them.
All the texts have their own various copyrights; these must be respected. My music copyright is detailed separately.
Singing: Mostly unison, and ideally suited to congregational use, with a singing president.
Accompaniment: Organ. Can be executed on manuals only, but pedal facility is helpful. The level of difficulty is about that of a typical hymn, although a small section of the Gloria finds itself in G♯ minor.
Harmonic style: Its harmonic language is somewhat un-hymn-like, though not too avant garde (which is anyway rather passe these days). It is based around a rising open fifth, chromatically descending bass, and hints of "blues" harmony. These are all prepared in the opening Kyrie.
Internet download: The setting is freely available, subject to your acceptance of its copyright, in Acrobat PDF format (12 pages).
Singing: For congregational use, and optional choir.
Accompaniment: Organ (can be executed on manuals only) or piano. The level of difficulty is about that of a typical hymn.
Internet download: The setting is freely available, subject to your acceptance of its copyright, in Acrobat PDF format (8 pages).
Singing: A congregational setting with some optional choral harmony, and an optional descant in the Benedictus.
Accompaniment: Organ (pedals optional) or piano. About the same standard as typical hymns. The Gloria exists in two variants, a simple one in G throughout and the preferred one which modulates to G♭ for its central section.
Possibilities: Several churches mix and match parts of various settings as is locally appropriate. This setting is known to be in successful mixed use as:
Internet download: The setting is freely available, subject to your acceptance of its copyright, in Acrobat PDF format (12 pages).
Features: unaccompanied, fully congregational, unison.
Small churches: often wish to use a musical Eucharist setting but have no regular organist or pianist. You may feel you lack the confidence or skills for harmony singing. This setting is specifically intended for unaccompanied use by a small congregation singing unison.
Larger churches: normally have the resources of choir and accompanists. You might consider this setting as a contrast, such as during the reflective seasons of Advent and Lent.
Internet download: The score is freely available, subject to your acceptance of its copyright, in Acrobat PDF format (8 pages).
For the curious: the acronym "WYSIWYG" derives from computer geek-speak: "What You See [Sing] Is What You Get". See it and sing it.
| Score | Audio | Comments | Commissions, publications, etc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collect for Purity (Common Worship) | MP3 | Choral setting. | ||
| Eucharistic Prayer D (Common Worship) | PDF Score
PDF/A5 People |
MP3 | The text is congregational dialogue: "This is our song". This setting is in regular time signature and suitable for music group or organ. | |
| Eucharistic Prayer H (Common Worship) | PDF Score
PDF/A5 People |
MP3 | Prayer H, unusually, has much congregational input. This setting is in regular time signature and accessible to music groups. | Written during the preparation of Common Worship at the request of Bishop David Stancliffe, chair of the Liturgical Commission. |
| Accept through him | MP3 | From Eucharistic Prayer A. Compatible with Mountjoy Eucharist above. | For Revd. Stephanie Watson. | |
| Agnus Dei, "Bread is broken" |
lyrics
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Tune: Summertime (Gershwin): solo, unaccompanied. Invitation to communion. | ||
| Kyrie eleison | Tune: Yesterday (Lennon and McCartney). |
| Score | Audio | Comments | Awards, publications, etc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| God in Christ has revealed his glory |
MP3
Video[1] |
Flexible style (organ to music-group); leader plus two responsive parts. | ||
| Gospel acclamations (Praise to you, O Christ) | For the Lent season, including the Annunciation and Maundy Thursday. The congregational response remains constant but the acclamations employ stylistic variety. | In top 5 of RSCM Harold Smart composition competition, 2000, for Common Worship resources. | ||
| Into your hands (Compline Prayer) | MP3 | Uses the pentatonic Korean tune Arirang | ||
| May God, of hope the wellspring (Der Gott aber der hoffnung) | MP3 | Blessing. SATB unaccompanied (difficult!) or accompanied solo. | Commissioned for wedding. | |
| O Father God and Sovereign Lord of all | MP3 | From Common Worship post-communion prayer "Father of all, we give you thanks and praise". This metrical paraphrasing also enables use beyond eucharistic contexts. | ||
| The peace of God | MP3 | Blessing. A gentle jazz lilt. | ||
| We believe in God the Father |
MP3
Video[1] |
Common Worship metrical (8 7 8 7 D) version of the creed. This setting, with optional descant, has a music-group bias. | Was scheduled for publication in Music for Common Worship, RSCM, Autumn 2000. | |
| We believe in God the Father | MP3 | See comments above. This setting of the text is hymn-like, with optional descant. | Tune in top 16 of St. Paul's Cathedral Millennium Hymn Competition, 1999. | |
| What shall I render to the Lord? | MP3 | A text used at the offering by some Lutheran churches which other churches could consider. | ||
| Yet my soul drew back | Response | Non-musical. A liturgical acknowledgement of doubt. |
[1] Recording courtesy of Sam and Paula Denyer, St. Cuthbert's, Wells, Somerset