Over the years of leading various ensembles, I’ve learned that it’s always good to have a song or two “in my pocket” that I can put in front of my group and have them “Sunday morning ready” with a very limited amount of rehearsal time. These often-called “one (or two, if I’m lucky!) rehearsal wonders” are useful all year long… but I find they’re especially great for those “slim summer services.”

So, for this issue, I thought I’d share with you a few of my “Editor’s Picks.” These general worship anthems will work great for any sized choir… or with even just one or two on a part. Click the title to see and hear each of them via our YouTube channel. Our ScorePlay videos provide a great way for you to select music for your groups… and they also double as a great rehearsal tool for your singers.

ACROSS THE LANDS, YOU’RE THE WORD OF GOD, Keith Getty/Stuart Townend/arr. Brad Nix – An light contemporary and accessible setting of the Getty hymn for SAB choir. A CD accompaniment track is also available.

COME TO THE TABLE, COME TO THE LORD, Rebecca Fair/arr. Joseph M. Martin – Here’s a great choice for Communion. SAB with optional Flute obbligato. There’s also a LiteTrax CD accompaniment.

I AM THINE, O LORD, Darian Krimm/Douglas Nolan – The classic Fanny Crosby hymn text is set to a new melody. 2-Part Mixed with a LiteTrax CD accompaniment.

LIVE YOUR LOVE, Joseph M. Martin/Stacey Nordmeyer – This one has a double usage in the service… either as a brief anthem or as a benediction. Though it’s an SATB voicing, it’s a quick learn for both the choir and pianist.

PRAISE YE THE LORD, Victor C. Johnson – Though part of our Worshipsongs Jr. series, this Unison/2-Part anthem will work nicely with adult voices, too! It also includes an easy handbell/handchime obbligato.

Happy Summer!