If Easter is coming fast and your church choir still needs an easy, meaningful anthem, we’ve got you covered. In this video, J.W. Pepper shares Easter Quick Learns—anthems that rehearse fast, sound confident, and deliver powerful messages to your congregation.
We understand real church‑choir life: limited rehearsal time, rotating singers, and the pressure of preparing for one of the biggest Sundays of the year. These selections are musically gratifying, congregation‑friendly, and available on ePrint, so you can start rehearsing today.
Direct links are in the description below, and you can find even more Easter options at jwpepper.com. If you’re a choir director looking for reliable, easy‑to‑learn music for Easter, this collection is here to help you lead with confidence.
Open the Gates
Hal H. Hopson/ed. Katie Houts
Based on Psalm 24, this jubilant anthem has flexible voicing, optional handbells or handchimes, and a congregational refrain. It invites the whole church family to join their voices together in praise. New in this edition are an optional text for the Easter season and an expanded handbell part. A true intergenerational celebration!
Starts at 0:56
Jesus Is Alive! Alleluia!
David Bailes/arr. Larry Shackley
This uplifting Easter anthem will invigorate your celebration of the Resurrection with the triumphant reminder that “Death’s defeated, our debt is paid.” The accessible arrangement makes use of a lively 6/8 feel, appealing harmonic motion, accessible choral parts, and a solid piano accompaniment to create a joyous energy.
Starts at 1:41
Easter Song with Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Anne Herring/arr. Joseph M. Martin
The joining of this vintage Easter song with one of our most time-honored hymns (EASTER HYMN, from the Lyra Davidica) is a declarative statement of Easter joy! The arrangement moves seamlessly between the two genres, and the festive orchestration adds the ideal support to the dynamic choral lines in this rousing anthem for Resurrection Sunday.
Starts at 2:26
Lift High the Cross
Sydney H. Nicholson/arr. Jantz A. Black
This majestic setting beautifully captures the hymn’s core message of celebrating the cross as the ultimate symbol of Christ’s love. An ideal selection for Easter and Eastertide services, this piece will add a sense of awe and reverence to any worship experience.
Starts at 3:22
Day of Arising
Carl Schalk/arr. Michael Burkhardt
This accessible arrangement of the hymn tune RAABE is ideal for the smaller choir with optional congregational singing. Susan Palo Cherwien’s text compares the story of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the roadway with the way in which Christ is revealed to us in the breaking of bread. Organ accompaniment and optional oboe or clarinet are very effective.
Starts at 4:08
Easter Carol
arr. Patti Drennan
The Easter story comes to life with this lively, dance-like setting of the SUSSEX CAROL tune to an Easter text. Flexibly voiced and enhanced by optional flute and hand percussion, this energetic selection will contribute to your joyful Easter worship.
Starts at 5:05
Crown Him Lord This Easter Day
Don Besig & Nancy Price
Capture the story of the resurrection with a memorable melody and simple vocal parts. The appearance of a verse from Crown Him with Many Crowns keeps the energy surging forward and resounding with joy! Now available for SAB. An accessible B-flat trumpet obbligato is included.
Starts at 5:55
The Risen Christ
Keith Getty & Phil Madeira/arr. Tom Fettke
A song of commitment that captures the cry of the regenerated life; this is not a narrative of the events of Christ’s resurrection, but a call to reflect on the meaning of the cross and to know the risen Savior in a vibrant and life-changing way. Present this glorious anthem with your choir at the culmination of your Easter service, or reserve the Sunday after Easter to sing it with new meaning and purpose.
Starts at 6:44
Sound the Trumpet
Mark Patterson
This celebratory anthem proclaims Easter’s message that Christ is risen and lives again! The two-part voicing and careful voice leading allow choirs of almost any size to sound full and brilliant. An optional trumpet part further adds to the anthem’s festive tone, instilling energy and excitement without covering the voices.
Starts at 7:35
