2021 Reading Session Picks: Children's Choir

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that every summer, I write a round-up post with my favorite new releases from choral reading sessions.

Every summer until 2020, that is.

Last year, choirs around the world found themselves separated, singing alone at home while listening to a recording or trying to follow along over Zoom.

Choir directors improvised and found new ways to connect with their singers and keep them singing during this time, but the experience is very different than making music in person.

Fortunately this year, we’re finding new ways to sing together again. Often, it’s still with masks and several feet of distance, but it’s becoming possible.

The anthems on this list include opportunities for developing part-singing within your choir and adding in other instruments: handbells or handchimes, oboe, harp, string quartet, rhythm instruments, Boomwhackers, and body percussion.

Side note: Adding instruments to your anthems is a great way to develop musical independence, help develop your choir’s listening skills, and create a memorable and meaningful worship experience for all involved.

I recognize that not everything on this list will work for your choir, but I hope you find at least one anthem you love.

Happy singing (finally)!

2021 Reading Session Picks: Children’s Choir

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Come, Be the Light (Mark Patterson)
Unison choir + piano

Joyful, sparkling, and inspiring, this anthem has an accessible, memorable melody and bright accompaniment. I love the text of this one—such rich, hopeful text for children to sing!

God Is Here Today (Tom Trenney)
2-part choir + piano

Dedicated to Mr. Rogers, this arrangement features an easy-to-teach partner melody and an opportunity for congregational singing (it includes a reproducible page).

Come, Let Us Worship God (arr. Katie Houts)
2-part choir + piano and opt. congregation

A sweet, joyful anthem with beautiful, welcoming text. The call-and-response structure makes it easy to learn and flexible voicing means it can be sung by any combination of voices.

Love Is In the Manger (Camilla Pruitt)
Unison choir + piano and opt. oboe, harp, and string quartet

This anthem features a thoughtful text with tangible images that are great for young students: “Do you see the manger? Can you find the manger? Do you really know what you’re looking for?”

Camilla Pruitt incorporates “Silent Night” in this work and provides a few opportunities for soloists or small groups.

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Bethlehem Night (Terry Taylor)
Unison choir + piano and opt. 6 handbells or handchimes (sub. glockenspiel or xylophone)

This simple, singable anthem tells the story of the Nativity. It’s easy to teach by rote (great for in-person or Zoom).

The Virtual Learning Resource Pak includes a reproducible PDF score + Singer's Score, rehearsal track + accompaniment track, follow-along lyric video, and resource page (solfege chart, warm-ups, teaching guide, extension ideas).

Be Strong! (Sandy Wilkinson)
Unison/2-part choir + piano

This anthem has a great text based on Isaiah 41:10, 13 + Joshua 1:9. Also, it’s in minor! This provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce a new musical style to your choir. The 2-part writing on the chorus features independent melodies, which are easier to sing and teach.

This could be a great option for a combined group—have your older children sing the whole piece and have younger children sing just for the chorus.

I Give Thanks (Toni Sullivan)
Unison choir + piano and opt. rhythm sticks

Part of the Rote-to-Note series, this simple Thanksgiving anthem is based on a recurring rhythm pattern and features lots of melodic repetition. The Discovery Page at the beginning of the score includes several helpful teaching ideas.

Make a Joyful Noise (Jeremy Russell)
3-part treble choir + piano and opt. rhythm instruments, Boomwhackers, and body percussion

This joyful anthem features three independent melodies that fit together into a 3-part texture in the final section. The addition of rhythm instruments, Boomwhackers, and body percussion makes this a fun and celebratory anthem. Great for combined choirs!