Ashley Danyew

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

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

  1. Psalm 1 (Nathan Carter)

  2. Abide With Me (arr. Moses Hogan)

  3. I Wanna Be Ready (Rosephanye Powell)

  4. Praise His Holy Name (Keith Hampton)

  5. Stand By Me (arr. Moses Hogan)

  6. God Has Work for Us to Do (Mark A. Miller)

  7. The Word Was God (Rosephanye Powell)

  8. I Believe (Mark A. Miller)

  9. Deep River (D. A. Ford)

  10. O Praise the Lord (Ulysses Simpson Kay)

  11. Justice (Rollo Dilworth)

  12. Is There Anybody Here? (Keith Hampton)

  13. I Choose Love (Mark A. Miller)

  14. In Silent Night (Mitchell B. Southall)

  15. Hand in Hand (Rollo Dilworth)

  16. Show Us How to Love (Mark A. Miller)

  17. The Hills are Bare at Bethlehem (arr. Ralph Johnson)

  18. Credo (André J. Thomas)

  19. Child of God (Mark A. Miller)

  20. Still, I Rise (Rosephanye Powell)

  21. Deep River (arr. Harry T. Burleigh)

  22. Poor Mourner’s Got a Home at Last (Marques L. A. Garrett)

  23. Prelude and Hymn: When Morning Gilds the Skies (D. A. Ford)

  24. Roll Down, Justice! (Mark A. Miller)

  25. The House of Peace (Ralph Johnson)

  26. Let Peace and Love Shine Through (Rollo Dilworth)

  27. He’s Got the Whole World (arr. Keith Hampton)

  28. With What Shall I Come? (Rosephanye Powell)

  29. Psalm for the Living (William Grant Still)

  30. Ride On, King Jesus (D. A. Ford)

  31. My Lord, What a Mornin’ (arr. Harry T. Burleigh)

  32. Hold On (A Spiritual) (Margaret Bonds)

  33. Done Made My Vow (Carl W. Haywood)

  34. Hallelujah from The Cry of Jeremiah (Rosephanye Powell)

  35. Lord, I Believe (Rosephanye Powell)

  36. Oh, That Bleeding Lamb (Undine Smith Moore)

  37. I Will Sing (Rosephanye Powell)

  38. Lord, I Looked Down the Road (William Grant Still)

  39. Dona Nobis Pacem (Mark A. Miller)

  40. 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.

  1. I Believe This Is Jesus

  2. I'm Going Home

  3. I Will Trust in the Lord

  4. Oh, That Bleeding Lamb

  5. 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.

  1. Abide with Me

  2. Ain't That Good News

  3. The Battle of Jericho

  4. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?

  5. Do Lord, Remember Me

  6. Down By The Riverside

  7. Elijah Rock

  8. Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit

  9. Ezekiel Saw The Wheel

  10. God's Gonna Set This World On Fire

  11. Good News, the Chariot's Comin'

  12. Great Day

  13. Hear My Prayer

  14. I Can Tell The World

  15. I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray

  16. I Got A Robe

  17. I Know The Lord's Laid His Hands On Me

  18. I Stood On The River Of Jordan

  19. I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

  20. I Want To Be Ready

  21. I Want To Thank You, Lord

  22. I'm Gonna Sing 'Til The Spirit Moves In My Heart

  23. Jesus Lay Your Head In The Window

  24. Little David, Play On Your Harp

  25. Lord, I Want To Be A Christian

  26. My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord

  27. Oh Mary Don't You Weep

  28. Ride The Chariot

  29. Standing in the Need of Prayer

  30. Steal Away

  31. There Is A Balm In Gilead

  32. This Little Light of Mine 

  33. Wade In The Water

  34. Walk Together, Children

  35. We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace

Feel the Spirit, Vol. II (arr. Moses Hogan)

  1. Hold On

  2. O Magnify The Lord 

  3. Ride On, King Jesus 

  4. Give Me Jesus 

  5. Stand By Me 

  6. Deep River 

  7. I Got A Home On That Rock 

  8. Glory, Glory, Glory To The New Born King 

  9. Who Built the Ark? 

  10. You Better Min' How You Talk 

  11. We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace 

  12. Like A Mighty Stream 

  13. I'll Make The Difference (A Song Of Hope For Singers Around The World) 

  14. Music Down In My Soul 

  15. Let The Heaven Light Shine On Me 

  16. Climbin' Up The Mountain 

  17. Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing 

  18. Mr. Banjo 

  19. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 

  20. My God Is So High 

  21. I Am His Child 

  22. There's A Man Goin' Round 

  23. No Hiding Place 

  24. Old Time Religion 

  25. A Spiritual Reflection 

  26. Surely He died on Calvary 

  27. Cert'nly Lawd 

  28. De Blin' Man Stood on de Road an' Cried 


Other Resources


Other posts in this series:


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

See this gallery in the original post