Our team is always working to make directors’ jobs easier: we do everything possible to simplify the process of choosing repertoire, so you can spend less time shopping and more making music.
Here are six lists of excellent new sacred selections from top composers and arrangers for services this fall, during Advent and Christmas, and throughout the church year! All of them have earned our Editors’ Choice designation, meaning that they rank among the highest quality literature released in 2023. We’ve included music for both adult and children’s choirs along with a wide variety of styles, voicings, and levels of difficulty. No matter your denomination or the makeup of your choir, you’re sure to find at least a few titles to add to your music library!
Anthems for Fall Church Festivals (Reformation, All Saints, Thanksgiving, and Christ the King)
O Word of God arr. Craig Courtney
In All Things, Give Thanks by Victor C. Johnson
The Tree of Life by Matthew J. Armstrong
Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving by Mary McDonald
We Gather Together arr. Edward Eicker
Death, Be Not Proud by Larry Visser
Enter His Courts With Praise! by Marty Parks
I Will Give Thanks by Craig Courtney
Crown Him Lord of All (A Concertato on All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name) arr. Joseph M. Martin
7 Traditional Adult Anthems for Advent and Christmas
Rejoice! Your Light Has Come by Mary McDonald
In the Bleak Midwinter arr. Dan Forrest
Gesu Bambino arr. John Leavitt
A Christmas Blessing of Peace by Douglas Nolan
A Blessed Messiah Born arr. Mary McDonald
Within the Manger Walls by John Parker and Brad Nix
The Savior’s Birth by Marques L. A. Garrett
Liturgical Adult Anthems for Advent and Christmas
The First Nowell arr. Bob Chilcott
A Christmas Carol by Zebulon M. Highben
Coventry Carol arr. B.E. Boykin
Wexford Carol arr. Stephen Dombek
Blest Be the Star by Christopher Willcock
In the Bleak Midwinter arr. Kyle Pederson
Sleep, Holy Child by Thurlow Weed
Modern and Contemporary Adult Anthems for Advent and Christmas
Brand New Hallelujah arr. Jay Rouse
What Child Is This? arr. David Wise
There Is a Song in the Air by Heather Sorenson
Join the Angels by Matthew West/arr. David Angerman
Love Is the Reason Why arr. Phil Nitz
Grace of God with Us arr. Cliff Duren
Children’s Choir Anthems for Advent and Christmas
Wasn’t That a Mighty Day! arr. Ken Berg
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing arr. Craig Curry
French Carol Duet by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid
What Star Did Shine? by Andrew Parr and Jeff Reeves
He Is Born! arr. Joseph M. Martin
Cradle Dance by Vicki Hancock Wright
Poinsettia Carol (Flores de Pascua) arr. Frederick Frahm
General Anthems for Children’s Choir
Worship Christ, the Mighty King by Joanne LeDoux
Prayer by Natalie Sleeth/arr. Katie Houts
Praise You by Ruth Elaine Schram
I Will Show You the Way by Toni Sullivan
Love Your Neighbor by Cindy Berry
All Night, All Day with My Lord, What a Morning arr. Russell Robinson
We hope that these lists are helpful! Visit our church music page to explore even more sacred choral selections along with music for piano, organ, handbells, and much more.
