The much-loved benediction "May the road rise to meet you..." is given a setting of beauty and simplicity that is a welcome addition to the versions that have come before. The accompaniment is effective but not complex, and the piece may be sung as a solo, if desired

Composer: David Barton

Arranger: Douglas Wagner | Composer: Douglas Wagner

This chorus from Handel's Occasional Oratorio has been a favorite for many years.This arrangement retains the essence of the SATB version while reducing it to two parts, parts which may be sung by many different combinations of voices.Performance suggestions included.

Arranger: Walter Ehret | Composer: George Frideric Handel

Arranger: Walter Ehret | Composer: George Frideric Handel

When creating our Simple Gifts series, we envisioned the following as the standard: a quality piece by an established composer who could craft simple, but never simplistic, music for smaller choirs. Bob Moore's setting of the "Ave Maria"-which certainly fits this description-will have use throughout the church year. Choirs will enjoy the flowing lyricism of the vocal writing, so aptly joined to this venerable text.

Composer: Bob Moore

Arranger: Hal H. Hopson | Composer: Antonio Caldara

From GIA's Simple Gifts Series, comes this gem of an arrangement by Patrick Liebergen. Two texts are offered (one for general use, one for Advent), making this a piece that, once learned, can be selected on short notice for many occasions, particularly during the summer months.More music for small choirs

Arranger: Patrick Liebergen | Composer: George Frideric Handel

Composer: Bob Moore

This pairing of text and tune has a standard place in denominational hymnals. John Behnke has created a simple setting of this essential piece of Advent repertoire. This is just the type of choral setting needed amid all of the musical preparations for Christmas!

Arranger: John A. Behnke

Good for children.

Composer: Calvin Hampton

A bit less formal than the familiar text of this title, this John Bell text honors and gives thanks for all the faithful who have gone before us. Moore's folklike tune is scored for unison, 2- and 3-part voice over piano (optional guitar and bass), and cleverly quotes sine nomine ("For all the saints") as a descant over the final stanza.Ê

Composer: Bob Moore

Sometimes that which appears to be the easiest of pieces becomes the most difficult to sing beautifully. In this setting of a Southern Harmony tune, the simple dulcimer-like accompaniment and sparse use of alternating unison and SA or SB texture reminds us that beauty and complexity are not necessarily synonymous. The text is a dialog-a song of mutual love between the Savior and the saved.More music for small choirs

Arranger: Dorothy VanAndel Frisch | Composer: James Christopher

Composer: Ephrem Feeley

Looking for an alternative to the chant version of the Pentecost sequence? Try this original setting: a simple tune in 6/8 with plenty of harmonic interest.

Composer: John McCann

This tune has a familiarity that will endear it to your choir the first time they sing it. The piece builds from unison, to a two-part round between the men's and women's voices, arriving at a three-part verse (a cappella optional). Even this final verse is not challenging. A great piece to have on hand when rehearsal time is short.

Composer: Jane Best

A great Palm Sunday piece for choirs of any size or age, due to the versatility of the voicing: unison, 2-part, or 3-part. Harmony parts are primarily canonic. The 3- or 2-part version ends with several repetitions of the "Hosanna" theme, which come in closer succession until they join in a final, strong unison.

Composer: Paul French

"How Deep the Silence of the Soul" appears as a two-stanza text, paired with KINGSFOLD (Common Meter Doubled), in Sylvia Dunstan's collection In Search of Hope and Grace, G-3614. With this arrangement, Carol Browning splits the stanzas into four, setting them to LAND OF REST (Common Meter).Listen to the music and follow the score in this preview video.

Arranger: Carol Browning

This unison Easter anthem is perfect for all of Eastertide, but can be used all year to remind us of Christ's resurrection. The light and lively accompaniment part is complimented by two C instruments, adding another level of joy to the piece, especially in the introduction and during the interlude between the verses. A wonderful addition to your Eastertide repertoire!

Arranger: Scott Hyslop | Composer: Dietrich Buxtehude

Keesecker's gentle winding of melody and simple phrase is ideal for ensembles both big and small. With optional suggestions for creating a two-part vocal texture, this piece invites choristers and faith communities into the beautiful elegance of the prologue of John's gospel.

Composer: Thomas Keesecker

From the opening figure played on the plaintive oboe, it is clear that this composition will move those who hear it. You could have a youth choir-or perhaps your adult group-sing the piece, using this two-part setting. Or, you might prefer the adults on the SATB version (G-3345). The most difficult choice to make is deciding who will sing the piece!More music for small choirs

Composer: John Leavitt

Hampton produced a small, but significantÊbody of hymn tunes that expanded the notion of what a hymntune and its accompaniment could be. Melodic sequences and an accompaniment cast in trio sonata form were common compositional devices he employed; both are found in the tune MacDOUGALL. is set for two mixed voices (or equal voices, if desired) is taken from e Calvin Hampton Hymnary, G-2339. In the composer's notes from that collection, Hampton suggests a tempo of quarter note = 76, saying: "the accompaniment can be played by hands alone, omitting the vocal line (found in the keyboard treble clef). TheÊaccompaniment figure could be played on the guitar, piano, or harpsichord."Listen to the recording and follow along with the score in this preview video:Ê

Composer: Calvin Hampton

Composer: Carol Browning

Arranger: Christopher Alexander

Lorica means "armor" or "breastplate"; in the Irish monastic tradition, it also refers to a prayer that calls for God's protection. The time signature alternates each measure between 3/8 and 4/4, but the entrancing melody feels natural. The tune has a range just short of an octave, but the descant allows singers comfortable with high F-sharps and Es to add harmonic and rhythmic interest.

Composer: Ephrem Feeley

This is a useful piece for three equal voices that can be sung unison or in two parts-and will work with SAB voices if the middle voice is given to the men (an octave lower, of course). The two texts provide morning and evening hymns. The former is useful anytime as a hymn of praise.Unison, two part or three part voices2 or 3 octaves Handbells or HandchimesÊ

Arranger: Janet Lindeblad Janzen

Love, peace, and joy are the central themes of the text set to this enchanting tune for two-part choir. Easy to learn, but sure to be a standard in your year-round repertoire.

Composer: John Leavitt

Although best known as the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams' great desire was to write poetry; upon hearing his words set to music by one of his contemporaries, he exclaimed his delight "as the organ pealed and the choir of voices sung the praise of Almighty God from the soul of David, adapted to my native tongue by me." This setting was written for SAB choir; however, it could be sung by an SSA ensemble as well. The tune is original, but Meyer has written in the style of the music that Adams might have heard in his day.

Composer: Daniel C. Meyer

Composer: Anthony Giamanco

More music for small choirs

Arranger: Gary Matheny

The Lenten season is a busy time for your choir, and this unison setting of a movement from Bach's Cantata No. 180 is the perfect solution for preparing beautiful music with minimal rehearsal time.

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

This tender song of supplication earnestly implores "Make me an instrument of peace for all the world to hear." The two-part voicing with descant on verse 3 is simple to learn and can be enhanced by introducing flute and cello. Your assembly will delight in singing Adam Tice's prayerful text paired with Gary Daigle's soothing melody.Listen to a recording and follow along with the music in this score video:

Composer: Gary Daigle

This very singable tune is paired with verses of two hymns about the Holy Spirit. After a unison exposition of the melody (first with the Watts verse, then with the Walker), a 4-part canon ensues that is fun to sing and hear! The accompaniment is accessible to various skill levels. Keep a steady tempo, especially through the canon.More music for small choirs

Arranger: Daniel C. Meyer

Great for graduations.

Composer: Rory Cooney

Lovely melody and an easy read for children and adults.

Composer: Calvin Hampton

Composer: Daniel C. Meyer

Cantor, handbells and vocal or instrumental descant parts are optional. 10 handbells.

the first stanza, unison voices sing this nostalgic treasure; a second equal voice provides harmony for stanza 2; throughout, the accompaniment reflects the mood in the title- soft and tender.

Arranger: Thomas J. Porter | Composer: Will Thompson

This wonderful song of praise features a simple text that may be sung in Latin or English. The accompaniment is accessible to keyboardists of most skill levels.More music for small choirs

Arranger: Hal H. Hopson | Composer: Michael Praetorius

Composer: Bernard Sexton

A re-engraving of the classic Leavitt work, "The Call" originally was written for two-part trebles, with a flowing and moving original melody. The interesting, sophisticated harmonic progressions accompany this beloved Herbert text, culminating in a very approachable work that is both thought provoking and warmhearted.More music for small choirs

Composer: John Leavitt

Through attractive simplicity and a beautiful line, this brief setting of the Aaronic blessing is a great alternative to other, older settings of the text-especially when the total number of tenor-bass singers in your choir is considerably less than that of the sopranos and altos. The two parts sing in octaves mostly, with just a hint of a canon in the final measures.

Composer: Carlton R. Young

Bob Moore has given us a versatile setting of the well-known text "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace." Cast in two parts with optional C instruments, its versatility will make this piece a valuable addition to your library, as it can be sung by children or adults, in ensembles and choirs of any size.The C Instrument part is optional.More music for small choirs

Composer: Bob Moore

The Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts" is juxtaposed with a new tune set to 1 Corinthians 13 over the same accompaniment. On the third repetition the two tunes are layered to great effect. Use this with a choir divided into two even parts, or with two choirs in tandem. Suitable for children or adults.

Arranger: Larry Harris

Chepponis' graceful anthem is being re-issued in GIA's Simple Gifts Series, featuring selections ideal for smaller adult choirs-but larger choirs should feel free to use these editions too! "The Truth Will Set You Free" works well with cantor, assembly and organ only, but the optional choir and instrumental parts bring an added depth to the composition. If this piece works well for your group, go to giamusic.com and order the Simple Gifts Series Sampler (G-9269), which contains ten octavos for your perusal.Choir parts and C instrument parts are optional.

Composer: James Chepponis

Babcock's time-honored text celebrates the delight we take in the natural world and underscores God's care in creating it and his care for humanity. Paired with the traditional English folk tune TERRA BEATA, Sewell's innovative harmonies support easily learned vocal parts, producing a charming anthem that will bring a smile to listeners and choristers alike.

Arranger: Gregg Sewell

This lovely setting of of the Latin hymn "Ubi caritas" starts simply, with the melody in the soprano section, then moving into a lovely treble duet. The men's voices enter alone, singing in English, then are joined by the trebles, combining the Latin and English texts for a dynamic conclusion in a beautiful three-part texture.

Composer: Bob Moore

This piece offers a great opportunity to feature the women of the choir! It is not difficult, making it an attractive choice for the musically rich time of Triduum. The chant tune of "Ubi caritas" is present throughout the piece in the keyboard accompaniment, but in augmented note values. Imagine hearing this piece wafting through the sanctuary during the Holy Thursday foot washing, God's love enveloping all who are present for this ritual of humility.

Composer: Michel Guimont

Arranger: Mark Cahill | Composer: Liam Lawton

Composer: Bob Moore