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A Celebration of God’s People and Their Song
Video 1 – Dori Erwin Collins
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 257
After a simple introduction with a drum beating a slow
steady beat, handbells began to ring in random (E, B, F#,
D) and the refrain of the hymn played on a flute, the
assembly sang the entire hymn in unison and without
accompaniment. At times, the assembly needed visual help
from the leader to ensure the unison and to propel the
vocal line. It was important to establish at the beginning
of this celebration that hymns can be sung without
accompaniment.
Video 2 – Carl Schalk and
Susan Briehl
Lost in the Night
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 243
Stanza 1 – choir
Stanza 2 & 3 – all, in harmony
Stanza 4 – all, in unison
The choir introduced the hymn by singing a canonical
ostinato: the melody of the last two musical phrases of
the first stanza (“Will not day come soon? Will not day
come soon?) were sung, first by the women, then followed a
measure later by the men. A soprano soloist sang the first
stanza above this choral ostinato; then all joined, in
harmony for stanzas three and four; a short organ
interlude led to the full assembly singing the final
stanza in unison; finally, the choral canonical ostinato
returned at the end, using the final words of the hymn:
“come and save us soon!”
Video 3A – Eugenia Oi Yan Yau
Midnight Stars Make Bright the
Skies
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 280
Stanza 1 in Mandarin – solo
Stanza 1 in English – all
Stanza 2 in Mandarin – solo
Stanza 2 in English - all
Light piano with Japanese bells, ching and gong
accompanied all of the stanzas of this delicate Christmas
hymn. The leader must be careful to lead but listen to the
assembly as they negotiate the passages with continuous
eighth notes. If possible, use the video of Eugenia
singing stanza 1 in Mandarin to teach a soloist the
correct pronunciation of the text and style of the music.
If you don't have someone in your community who can do
this, you can play the video of Eugenia singing stanza 1
before the assembly sings stanzas 1 and 2 in English.
Video 3B – Stanza 1
sung in Mandarin
All My Heart Again Rejoices
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 273
All sing in harmony
Because the Mandarin carol ends on a “c”, we were able to
bridge nicely to the German chorale with an introduction
scored for flute, oboe, and violin. It was important here
that the full hymn be sung in harmony, allowing the
assembly to use its harmonized voice. Stanzas 2 and 3 were
sung unaccompanied. When accompanied, we used organ, oboe,
violin, and flute, scored specifically for the Jubilee.
Video 4 – John Ylvisåker
Drawn to the Light
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 593
Stanza 1 – choir
Stanzas 2-3 – all
When accompanied by piano, guitars, bass, flute, and drum
kit, this hymn sparkles. It was important that the folk
character of this hymn was clear, allowing the assembly to
sway and swing a bit.
O Morning Star, How Fair and
Bright
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 308
Stanza 1 – all
Stanza 2 – women
Stanza 3 – men
Stanza 4 – choir
Stanzas 5 & 6 – all
We created a musical bridge from “Drawn to the Light” to
this queen of chorales with a modulation from G major to D
major for the brass quintet. This short bridge also
allowed the leader to move from piano to organ! The
arrangement for brass and organ for the assembly stanzas
was the S. Drummond Wolff concertato from
Concordia Publishing House. The chorale stanza in was
the Michael Praetorius setting from the
Chantry Choirbook, transposed to G major.
Video 5 – Susan Palo Cherwien
O Blessed Spring
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 447
Stanza 1 – all
Stanza 2 – men
Stanza 3 – women
Stanza 4 – choir
Stanza 5 – all
We used the
choral anthem of this hymn by Robert Buckley Farlee
from Augsburg Fortress Publishers, adding the full
assembly on stanza one, all men on stanza two, and all
women on stanza three. We added trumpet to the
instrumental obbligato on the final stanza to cut through
the full singing assembly.
Video 6 – Dori Erwin Collins
Lamb of God
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 336
Verses – solo
Refrains – all
This song from the pop contemporary repertoire is most
faithfully rendered with a soulful soloist singing the
verses accompanied by piano, guitars, bass and drum kit.
As an added texture, the choir could improvise harmonic
accompaniments while humming (or “oooing”) during the
verses. When the refrains are sung, if the choir has the
accompaniment before them, they could also add harmonies
to this refrain. It will be hard for anyone who has heard
Twila Paris sing this song not to add the additional notes
and ornaments during the refrain.
Video
7 – James Capers
Jesus is a Rock
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 333
Verses – solo
Refrains – all
A soulful sax playing the melody of the refrain with
piano, bass guitar, and stylized percussion (high hat,
light cymbal, brushes on snare) served as the introduction
to this spiritual. The verses were sung by Deborah Ford,
an uncommonly moving interpreter of African-American
spirituals. She felt free to adjust the rhythm and melody
of the verses, improvising as was needed. She also added
improvised calls and descants above the assembly singing
the refrain. There was literally dancing in the aisles! Be
very careful not to sing this spiritual too quickly.
Video 8 – Susan Briehl
Holy God, Holy and Glorious
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 637
Stanza 1 – all
Stanza 2 – women
Stanza 3 – choir
Stanza 4 – men
Stanza 5 – all
We sang this hymn using the
choral anthem composed by Robert Buckley Farlee from
Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Again, we added the assembly
on stanzas one, two, four, and five using the octavo – it
works perfectly. We needed an extended introduction for
this hymn, so we had the oboe to play the melody, without
accompaniment, once through before we started the octavo.
Video 9 – Antonio Machado
¡Aleluya! Cristo resucito
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 375
Refrains – all, in Spanish
Verses – all, in English
This hymn comes to life with piano, guitar, congas,
claves, shakers, bass and mariachi-style trumpet
accompaniment. At our celebration, all of these
instruments were improvising! The Spanish may need
rehearsal ahead of time. It was important that the
jubilant character of this hymn was heard and felt.
Video 10 – Thom Pavlechko
Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 383
Stanza 1 – all
Stanza 2 – choir
Stanza 3 – all
We used the
choral anthem by Thomas Pavlechko published by
Augsburg Fortress Publishers. This setting uses full
brass, timpani, handbells and full divided chorus.
Video
11 – James Capers
Gracious Spirit, Heed Our
Pleading
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 401
Verse 1 and refrain – choir
All remaining verses in English, in harmony
All remaining refrains in Swahili, in harmony
A variety of African drums and flute accompanied this
lively prayer. The introduction began with the drums,
establishing a firm but multi-accented beat. The flute
entered, playing the melody of the refrain. The choir
entered in harmony, singing the verse in English and the
refrain in Swahili.
Picture – Herman G. Stuempfle,
Jr.
Regretfully, we were unable to video Herman before his
death in March 2007. In place of a video we projected his
photograph and read excerpts from additional hymns. His
other hymns in Evangelical Lutheran Worship are:
“As the Deer Runs to the River” (331), “For All the
Faithful Women” (419), “We Come to You for Healing, Lord”
(617), “How Small Our Span of Life” (636), “Bring Peace to
Earth Again” (700), “O Christ, Your Heart, Compassionate”
(722), and “Voices Raised to You” (845).
God of Tempest, God of
Whirlwind
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 400
Stanza 1 – all in unison
Stanzas 2 & 3 – all in harmony
Stanza 4 – all in unison
The organ was used with this classic tune, with an
improvised introduction, simulating a “tempest.” The organ
continued to accompany the singing on three of the four
stanzas, dropping out on stanza three.
Video 12 – Carl Schalk
Soli Deo Gloria
Evangelical Lutheran Worship 878
Stanza 1 – all
Stanza 2 – women
Stanza 3 – choir
Stanza 4 – men
Stanza 5 – all
We used the
choral anthem of this hymn by Marty Haugen published
by GIA Publications, Inc. The concertato must be adapted
to match the stanzas included in ELW. The octavo
arrangement is for brass, organ, timpani, and mixed choir.
The text of the hymn was the perfect conclusion to the
festival celebrating the church’s people and their song.
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Biographical information
Susan Briehl is a Lutheran pastor who serves as the
Distinguished Professor of the Art of Ministry at Wartburg
Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. Often collaborating with composer
Marty Haugen, her other hymn texts included in
Evangelical Lutheran Worship are “By Your Hand You
Feed Your People” (469), “Bread of Life from Heaven”
(474), “Once We Sang and Danced” (701).
James Capers is a Lutheran
pastor, musician and author. He participated in the
development of This Far by Faith in addition to
composing its setting two of Holy Communion, “Liturgy of
Joy.” This music can be found in setting 6 and the service
music section of Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
Susan Palo Cherwien is a
freelance writer and musician. Eight of her hymn texts are
found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, including
“As the Dark Awaits the Dawn” (261), “Day of Arising”
(374), “Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen” (548), and “In
Deepest Night” (699).
Dori Erwin Collins is a
composer, worship leader and co-author of
Sound Decisions: Evaluating Contemporary Music for
Lutheran Worship.
Antonio Machado is a Lutheran
pastor serving at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN as
Coordinator of Vocational Formation. Born in Ponce, Puerto
Rico, and raised in New York City, Antonio plays
percussion of all kinds and is featured on
Bread for the Journey's recordings.
Thom Pavlechko is composer,
organist, and choirmaster at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church,
Austin, Texas. He contributed parts of Holy Communion
setting one in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and six
hymns and service music including “In Deepest Night”
(699), “When Our Song Says Peace” (709), and “Calm to the
Waves” (794).
Carl Schalk is a prominent
composer, author and Distinguished Professor of Music
Emeritus at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois.
Nine of his compositions are featured in Evangelical
Lutheran Worship including “As the Dark Awaits the
Night” (261), “Now the Silence” (460), “God of the
Sparrow” (740), and “Thine the Amen” (826).
Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. was
a prolific hymn writer and President of the Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Eight of his hymn
texts appear in Evangelical Lutheran Worship
including “For All the Faithful Women” (419), “We Come to
You for Healing, Lord” (617), “O Christ, Your Heart,
Compassionate” (722), and “Voices Raised to You” (845).
Eugenia Oi Yan Yau is
Assistant Professor of Music at Borough of Manhattan
Community College, City University of New York. She has
served as musician and worship leader in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Hong Kong and the ELCA.
John Ylvisåker is a
well-known composer and recording artist. Three of his
songs appear in Evangelical Lutheran Worship
including “We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus” (451) and “Borning Cry”
(732). |
