Category: church music

Footdee

Byartsyhonker February 3, 2017 0 Comments
This is a hymn I wrote last time I was in Aberdeen; or was it last time but one? I'm not sure; but I know I was looking at the sea when I wrote it. I've used a paraphrase of verses from Psalm 107 (the bit that starts" they that go down to the sea in ships") by Isaac Watts, but of course as with any hymn tune you could use a different set of Long Metre words and they'd fit. PDF with text of first...

Double Chant in C Major

Byartsyhonker October 30, 2016 0 Comments
Last Sunday one of my psalm chants was sung in Guildford Cathedral, by the University of London Church Choir. I wrote it for Psalm 119 vv 1-16, but as Anglican chant is meant to be flexible you could use whatever words you like. Accordingly, the copy over on CPDL doesn't include the text. If you can't read the PDF there is a midi file, though it's a bit slow. As usual, this is under a Creative...

Deland 87 87 97

Byartsyhonker September 24, 2016 0 Comments
This one is a bit out of season, but I always find that Lent comes awfully quickly. The words are by Reverend Ally Barrett, who has written a number of new hymn texts to familiar tunes. I like Picardy as a tune very much, but it strikes me as a bit static for words which are, ultimately, about the transformation of the dust of our lives through Christ's redemption. So I wrote a different tune,...

Waterworks Corner

Byartsyhonker July 31, 2016 0 Comments
Here's one I wrote the other month -- premiered by the London Gallery Quire at St Andrew's Leytonstone on 2nd July. There is a version for West Gallery available from the London Gallery Quire website -- it's LGQ 533 -- but I've also put a version for organ on the Choral Public Domain Library as usual. Here are some robots singing it: 1 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray, I am for ever thine; I...

Windswept

Byartsyhonker July 1, 2016 0 Comments
A few weeks ago I stumbled across a call for scores for an instrument I haven't written for before: the chimes at Gloucester Cathedral. So I entered. The chimes in question are computer-controlled rather than rung by hand, but still have some interesting limitations regarding how quickly notes can repeat. I was delighted the other week to learn that my submission had been selected for joint...

Wherever Love Is: Braxted 84 84 88

Byartsyhonker June 30, 2016 0 Comments
A while ago I asked for metrical English translations or paraphrases of Ubi Caritas, which is such a lovely text and one rather under-used in modern hymnody. One of the texts written as a result of that request was the following by TJA Thurman: 1. As friendship fills our meeting-place, Jesus is here; He dwells in every friend's embrace, Each smile sincere, Rejoicing in the love we share. Wherever...

Interim Organist Required

Byartsyhonker June 16, 2016 0 Comments
I am taking a sabbatical! More about that later. In the meantime: St. Andrew's Leytonstone is looking for an Interim Organist and Choir Director to cover a one year sabbatical by our current Director of Music. The successful applicant will be a skilled and passionate musician, who will be able to direct and accompany a small amateur robed choir in sacred music. The church has an extremely fine...

Advent — Christina Rosetti

Byartsyhonker December 4, 2015 0 Comments
We're well into December and there is so much going on that is very focused on Christmas; yet this is still Advent, a season of preparation. Advent is my SATB setting of Christina Rosetti's poem by the same name: 'Come,' Thou dost say to Angels, To blessed Spirits, 'Come': 'Come,' to the lambs of Thine own flock, Thy little ones, 'Come home.' 'Come,' from the many-mansioned house The gracious...

Broomside 11 11 11 11 11 11

Byartsyhonker October 30, 2015 0 Comments
St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne recently ran a competition for a Pauline hymn. I asked Miranda Threlfall-Holmes if she wanted to write some words for it, and we submitted an entry. PDF: broomside mp3: Words: 1. We meet as God's people in this holy place And gather together across time and space With all of Christ's body, Christ's building and field, The church of all sinners Christ died for and...

Harringey, now with recording.

Byartsyhonker October 13, 2015 2 Comments
Back in 2012 I set these words by Doug Chaplin: From the Jordan to the desert, from the crowd to barren place, Spirit-driven, Satan-tempted, Lord, you sought the Father’s grace: show us now your pow’r, in weakness, presence in the empty space. Out of Egypt with God’s people, freedom brings its testing stress: what is right and what is truthful, how the name of God confess? Jesus, be our...