In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument
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Religious A Cappella Music
Whether it's Contemporary Christian, classical sacred, Negro Spiritual, shape note singing, the range of Christian music being sung by all-male, all-female and mixed groups is wide and sure to please. Some of the groups we carry have been singing since before World War II, while others are 21st Century all the way, but whether it‚s of an older style or current & hip, it all celebrates the power of faith and their joy in Jesus.
Christian Music Arrangements
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Here we offer arrangements of many different types of Christian music for choirs, congregations, singing ensembles and solo singers.
Spirituals Choral Arrangements
Spirituals are the Southern sacred "folk" songs created and first sung by African Americans during slavery. Their original composers are unknown, and they have assumed a position of collective ownership by the whole community. They lend themselves easily to communal singing. Many are in a call-and-response structure, with back-and-forth exchanges between the leader and the group. A formal concert tradition has evolved from the original spirituals, with solo and choral arrangements based on original slave melodies, employed for performance by amateur and professional artists.
Gospel Vocal Harmony Arrangements
What fun it is to sing harmony in praise to the Lord and we have collected here a selection of accessible arrangements that we feel sure you and your group will find most rewarding and satisfying to perform. In America there has developed many styles of singing that can be considered gospel music yet they all have in common the ability to raise the roof in praise of the Lord. Here is your chance to do the sing in harmony to Jesus.
African American Spirituals CDs
Spirituals are the Southern sacred "folk" songs created and first sung by African Americans during slavery. Their original composers are unknown, and they have assumed a position of collective ownership by the whole community. They lend themselves easily to communal singing. Many are in a call-and-response structure, with back-and-forth exchanges between the leader and the group. A formal concert tradition has evolved from the original spirituals, with solo and choral arrangements based on original slave melodies, employed for performance by amateur and professional artists.
Contemporary Christian CDs
Expressing Christian faith in music is an idea that goes back millennia, but contemporary Christian music is one of those art forms that is, if not uniquely American, certainly recognizably so. For nearly a century, singers have been performing and recording celebratory expressions of their faith in a modern fashion, usually in English, frequently in popular musical styles. Contemporary Christian music brings religious music to the general public in a totally new way, and makes it just plain fun. If you don’t believe us, take a listen to some of these terrific groups!
Christian Songbooks for Solo Voice
If you are blessed with a great voice you probably enjoy singing in the choir but sometimes you might well want to let your voice shine and sing a solo in praise of God. We offer here a selection of contemporary Christian songbooks suitable for all voices. Many of thhe books come with an accompaniment CD which helps you learn to both sing and perform the song.
Gospel CDs
An art form that has its origins in African-American music, including the call-and-response singing between preacher and congregation in churches, today gospel music is much loved by music fans of all backgrounds and religions around America. One of the most celebratory music forms, nothing expresses joy in a subject the way gospel music does. Some of the incredibly talented groups whose work we carry have been delivering their jubilant music for more than half a century. If you want to hear music that delivers love and happiness, this is the place for you!
Gospel DVDs
There’s probably nothing more spiritually arousing then a good gospel choir in full song. While most choirs are traditionally rather subdued when singing in praise of the Lord the primarily African-American gospel choirs harness the energy from the congregation and transform it into a joyous and enthusiastic celebration of worship. Here we offer recordings and DVDs from some of the world’s finest gospel choirs.
Sacred Harp Singing
Sacred Harp singing is the largest surviving branch of traditional American Shape Note Singing. "Sacred Harp" refers to The Sacred Harp, a book first published in 1844 and continuously updated since. Along with other hymn books from the era, its repertoire of 550 4-part a cappella hymns, odes, and anthems is part of the foundation of a vibrant oral tradition handed down since Colonial times and still practiced at hundreds of annual singing meetings, conventions, and local singing groups throughout the country.
Southern Gospel
Southern gospel music, also sometimes referred to as “classic gospel,” has been around since the 1950s, though since the 1980s there has been a revival in its well-deserved popularity. The style is an enticing mix of Sacred Harp and bluegrass, and has the best of both worlds. So it’s no surprise that some of the best Christian artists of recent decades have recorded these stellar albums in a Southern Gospel style. You know some of the groups, you know some of the songs – this is your chance to explore, and enjoy, the rest of them.
The Gospel Groups
Gospel music, as it is known today, is one of those art forms that is almost uniquely American, with its origins stemming from the African-American musical traditions commonly seen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a lively, celebratory music that you just don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy – if you enjoy showing joy in music, showing joy through music, feeling the joy that happy, passionate music full of love conveys, you’ll enjoy the Gospel groups here.
Contemporary Christian Groups
Expressing Christian faith in music is an idea that goes back millennia, but contemporary Christian music is one of those art forms that is, if not uniquely American, certainly recognizably so. For nearly a century, singers have been performing and recording celebratory expressions of their faith in a modern fashion, usually in English, frequently in popular musical styles. Contemporary Christian music brings religious music to the general public in a totally new way, and makes it just plain fun. If you don't believe us, take a listen to some of these terrific groups!
Contemporary Christian and Gospel Christmas
Christmas music is some of the most evocative out there - who can hear "Away in a Manger" or "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" without flashing back to that happy holiday season? The albums we carry contain the traditional carols of centuries past, more modern carols we all grew up with, and in many cases, original works sure to be added to many a family's annual caroling sing-a-long. Some of the groups interpret the works and make them uniquely their own, others perform more traditional versions, but one thing you can rely on is the spirit and talent with which the music is sung!
Contemporary Christian Arrangers
Contemporary Christian choral music is fortunate to have many talented arrangers who specialize in Christian music and we list here many of the best. Suitable for smaller ensembles and both community and church choirs these arrangers will bring out your best.
Gospel Arrangers
African-American spirituals were an early influence on some of the more modern a cappella sounds and remain a vibrant art form in themselves.
Gospel Showtrax CDs
Having a recording of an arrangement is a very valuable tool for choirs and groups to hear exactly the song they are learning. A Showtrax CD includes a full performance of the published voicings plus an accompaniment only backing track.
Contemporary Christian Videos
A cappella began as singing praise in the chapels of monasteries, abbeys and churches and the tradition is still very much alive with the popularity of contemporary a cappella music.