Music by Black Composers: 34 Sacred Choral Anthems (2- and 3-Part)

Last week, I shared the first post in a new series I’m putting together this summer: Music by Black Composers: 105 Sacred Works for Organ.

As I mentioned in that post, I believe it’s important to listen and learn from the African-American and Black community during this time, to ask ourselves: Are we honoring all the voices that have contributed to our field? Are we celebrating the diversity of composers in addition to diversity in styles?

If you work with a children’s choir or youth choir or are looking for a few simple pieces by Black composers to introduce to your adult choir in the future, here’s a list of anthems to get you started.

I hope this encourages and inspires you as you choose new music for your choir.

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Music by Black Composers: 34 Sacred Choral Anthems (2- and 3-Part)

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

2-Part Anthems

Niño Precioso (arr. Rosephanye Powell)

Spirituals for Upper Voices (ed. William C. Powell and Rosephanye Powell)

1. Somebody's knockin' at yo' do’ (arr. by Rosephanye Powell)

2. Deep River (arr. William C. Powell)

3. I Got A Robe (arr. Eurydice V. Osterman)

4. In dat great gettin' up mornin’ (arr. Byron J. Smith)

5. Let Me Fly (arr. Mark Butler)

6. Lit'l David play on yo' harp (arr. Evelyn Simpson-Curenton)

7. There Is A Balm In Gilead (arr. Barbara W. Baker)

8. I'm Gonna Sing (arr. Lela Anderson)

9. Scandalize my name (arr. Damon H. Dandridge)

10. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel? (arr. David Morrow)

11. I Got A Home In-A Dat Rock (arr. Jacqueline Hairston)

12. This joy I have (arr. Robert L. Morris)

I Dream a World (André J. Thomas, text by Langston Hughes)

This Little Light of Mine from Four Spirituals (arr. Robert A. Harris)

Little David, Play On Your Harp from Four Spirituals (arr. Robert A. Harris)

Yonder Come Day! from From Dusk ’til Dawn (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Shine On Me (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Mornin’ Glory (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Go, Tell It On the Mountain (John W. Work)

Little David, Play On Your Harp (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Great Day! (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Mornin’ Glory (Rollo Dilworth)

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3-Part Anthems

Walk Together, Children (arr. Harry T. Burleigh)

Ascribe to the Lord (Rosephanye Powell)

Keep Your Lamps! (Victor Johnson)

Walk in Jerusalem (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Gloria (Rosephanye Powell)

Sanctus (Rosephanye Powell)

Ain’t That Good News (arr. Moses Hogan)

Agnus Dei (Victor Johnson)

Climbin’ Up the Mountain, Children! (arr. Rollo Dilworth)

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Mark A. Miller)

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Other Resources

• An index from the United Methodist Hymnal of "hymns, songs, spirituals, choruses, prayers, litanies, Psalm settings, and other worship resources by African Americans and many resources from Africa.”

• Music by Black Composers (MBC) Living Composers Directory

• The African American Art Song Alliance

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Other posts in this series:

• Music by Black Composers: 105 Sacred Works for Organ

• Music by Black Composers: 108 Sacred Choral Anthems (SATB)

• Music by Black Composers: Arts Songs & Spirituals for Solo Voice

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Do you have any pieces to add to this list? Please leave a comment below!