Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: https://read.jwpepper.com/i/899113
1 The words and melodies that reflect, shape, and sustain a rich tradition of hymn singing across a range of Christian denominations are some of the richest treasures of the church. For generations, they have been a source of strength, comfort, and challenge through all the seasons of life. Many of them transcend their native denominational identities and some even find a home outside the church. In most Catholic and mainline Protestant hymnals, the accompaniments for many of our most beloved hymns are intended for the organ. For pianists, the challenge of leading hymns from accompaniments crafted for organ often evokes two responses. On the one hand, the paleness of organ accompaniments played on the piano can cause those who do not have the improvisatory skills necessary to translate such accompaniments into a style more idiomatic to the piano to avoid the use of such hymns altogether. On the other hand, the accompaniments of skilled improvisers can often prevent other ensemble members without those same abilities from playing with them; and because the four-part harmonizations found in most hymnals do not match their spontaneous inventions, the choir is limited to exclusively unison singing. This collection is an attempt to provide piano-based ensembles with a resource to keep a strong tradition of hymn singing alive by offering accessible arrangements of familiar hymns for contemporary ensembles. While there is nothing preventing them from being used as such, these editions are intended not primarily as choral anthems, but as arrangements that can lead and inspire the singing of the liturgical assembly. I have been consistent in my approach to each of these arrangements. Each of the hymns is arranged for SAB voices, piano, and guitar. For the final stanza of each hymn, I have included an optional alternate harmonization of the accompaniment with a soprano descant; however, the final stanza also appears in the SAB texture to accommodate occasions when rehearsal time is limited or simplicity desired. The optional instrumental parts can enhance these arrangements in fresh ways, particularly on feasts and special occasions. When these are used, the pianist may wish to simplify the piano parts to leave space for these instruments to shine, particularly on introductions and interludes. For Preview Only