Over the last few weeks, I’ve been compiling repertoire lists by Black composers for use in worship and sacred settings. So far, I’ve published lists of sacred organ music and 2- and 3-part sacred choral anthems.
This week, I’m excited to share Part 3 in this series: 108 sacred choral anthems for SATB choir.
This repertoire list includes familiar spirituals as well as new compositions by Black composers in the 20th and 21st centuries. You’ll find 40 sacred octavos and links to three SATB collections for a total of over 100 anthems to use with your choir in the future.
As I mentioned previously in this series, I believe it’s important to listen and learn from the African-American and Black community, especially during this time.
As musicians and teachers, I believe we need to honestly 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?
I hope this series encourages and inspires you as you choose new music for your choir in the months and years to come.
Music by Black Composers: 108 Sacred Choral Anthems (SATB)
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
40 SATB Anthems
Psalm 1 (Nathan Carter)
Abide With Me (arr. Moses Hogan)
I Wanna Be Ready (Rosephanye Powell)
Praise His Holy Name (Keith Hampton)
Stand By Me (arr. Moses Hogan)
God Has Work for Us to Do (Mark A. Miller)
The Word Was God (Rosephanye Powell)
I Believe (Mark A. Miller)
Deep River (D. A. Ford)
O Praise the Lord (Ulysses Simpson Kay)
Justice (Rollo Dilworth)
Is There Anybody Here? (Keith Hampton)
I Choose Love (Mark A. Miller)
In Silent Night (Mitchell B. Southall)
Hand in Hand (Rollo Dilworth)
Show Us How to Love (Mark A. Miller)
The Hills are Bare at Bethlehem (arr. Ralph Johnson)
Credo (André J. Thomas)
Child of God (Mark A. Miller)
Still, I Rise (Rosephanye Powell)
Deep River (arr. Harry T. Burleigh)
Poor Mourner’s Got a Home at Last (Marques L. A. Garrett)
Prelude and Hymn: When Morning Gilds the Skies (D. A. Ford)
Roll Down, Justice! (Mark A. Miller)
The House of Peace (Ralph Johnson)
Let Peace and Love Shine Through (Rollo Dilworth)
He’s Got the Whole World (arr. Keith Hampton)
With What Shall I Come? (Rosephanye Powell)
Psalm for the Living (William Grant Still)
Ride On, King Jesus (D. A. Ford)
My Lord, What a Mornin’ (arr. Harry T. Burleigh)
Hold On (A Spiritual) (Margaret Bonds)
Done Made My Vow (Carl W. Haywood)
Hallelujah from The Cry of Jeremiah (Rosephanye Powell)
Lord, I Believe (Rosephanye Powell)
Oh, That Bleeding Lamb (Undine Smith Moore)
I Will Sing (Rosephanye Powell)
Lord, I Looked Down the Road (William Grant Still)
Dona Nobis Pacem (Mark A. Miller)
Softly and Tenderly (arr. Stacey V. Gibbs)
Three SATB Collections
I Will Trust in the Lord: Five Spirituals (Undine Smith Moore)
Undine Smith Moore was a respected 20th-century American composer, pianist, and music professor. Today, she is considered the "Dean of Black Women Composers." This collection features five of her spirituals written for SATB choir.
I Believe This Is Jesus
I'm Going Home
I Will Trust in the Lord
Oh, That Bleeding Lamb
We Shall Walk through the Valley
Feel the Spirit, Vol. I (arr. Moses Hogan)
Moses Hogan was a celebrated 20th-century American choral composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor. Today, he is best remembered for his spiritual settings. These two collections feature some of his best-known arrangements for SATB choir.
Abide with Me
Ain't That Good News
The Battle of Jericho
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?
Do Lord, Remember Me
Down By The Riverside
Elijah Rock
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
God's Gonna Set This World On Fire
Good News, the Chariot's Comin'
Great Day
Hear My Prayer
I Can Tell The World
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
I Got A Robe
I Know The Lord's Laid His Hands On Me
I Stood On The River Of Jordan
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
I Want To Be Ready
I Want To Thank You, Lord
I'm Gonna Sing 'Til The Spirit Moves In My Heart
Jesus Lay Your Head In The Window
Little David, Play On Your Harp
Lord, I Want To Be A Christian
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord
Oh Mary Don't You Weep
Ride The Chariot
Standing in the Need of Prayer
Steal Away
There Is A Balm In Gilead
This Little Light of Mine
Wade In The Water
Walk Together, Children
We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace
Feel the Spirit, Vol. II (arr. Moses Hogan)
Hold On
O Magnify The Lord
Ride On, King Jesus
Give Me Jesus
Stand By Me
Deep River
I Got A Home On That Rock
Glory, Glory, Glory To The New Born King
Who Built the Ark?
You Better Min' How You Talk
We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace
Like A Mighty Stream
I'll Make The Difference (A Song Of Hope For Singers Around The World)
Music Down In My Soul
Let The Heaven Light Shine On Me
Climbin' Up The Mountain
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing
Mr. Banjo
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
My God Is So High
I Am His Child
There's A Man Goin' Round
No Hiding Place
Old Time Religion
A Spiritual Reflection
Surely He died on Calvary
Cert'nly Lawd
De Blin' Man Stood on de Road an' Cried
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
Do you have any pieces to add to this list? Please leave a comment below!
