Ken Medema and I have collaborated on a choral anthem and I am excited about it! It holds special significance for me as we wrote it in memory of my parents who both passed away in 2003. I have sung it (with choir) on All Saint's Day, on Sunday during the Easter Season and at the memorial service for a friend. The anthem . . .
- was written with All Saints Day in mind, but it would work in most worship experiences, including memorial services and baptisms.
- is written for choir (SATTBB with soloist) and congregation, accompanied by piano.
- has the congregation joining the choir for the final chorus, singing the familiar hymn "Shall We Gather At the River"
- touches on the themes of creation, love, journey through grief and the promise of eternal life.
- is a lengthy piece (between 9 and 10 minutes long)
- includes a variety of musical styles.
- was commissioned by and premiered at First United Methodist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana
For freee samples visit http://www.celiamusic.net/choral for free samples (printed score and audio).
I hope you find this piece as moving as I do. Thanks for leading the church!
Celia Whitler
http://www.celiamusic.net
615-790-6573
P.S. To learn more about Ken Medema, visit kenmedema.com.
Samples:
If any of it does not make sense, call the number below and we will help.
| Have a listen: | CLICK HERE to stream an mp3 of the entire song. | |
| CLICK HERE to download an mp3 of the entire song. (This is a large file 11.2 megs, make sure you have a quick connection.) |
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| Have a look: | CLICK HERE to download a printable sample pdf of the entire 24 page score. Open and print from your computer. |
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| CLICK HERE to download the free adobe reader. | ||
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Purchase and Printing Instructions:
(3 easy steps: purchase, download and print)
Pricing:
- You-print-it-price (license only) $0.75 per copy. Our plans for 2004 are to make the anthem available for your printing only.
- Pre-printed $2.95 per copy--available in time for All Saints Day, 2005. If you prefer the anthem pre-printed, give us a call at 615-790-6573.
- If you are a wholesaler, contact us about wholesale pricing.
Purchase Instructions:
- Pay the licensing fee at https://www.verifiedsecure.com/celiamusic/ (If you prefer to order by phone or need to use a purchase order, call us at 615-790-6573.)
- The sample file IS the final printable score. We are using the honor system to assure proper licensing of copies.
- Point your printing person toward this link: http://www.celiamusic.net/multimedia/AttheRiverScore.pdf, email the file or physically carry in a copy of the file.
Printing Information:
- To print a sample score from your computer: click on the sample link above and click print.
- Printing: Duplex on 6 pages of 11" x 17", fold and staple.
- Yield: 24 page booklet 8 1/2" x 11", self covered. We recommend 60# paper.
Lyrics:
Chorus (The chorus melody is not from the hymn.) (sung twice -- soloist starts, choir joins):
Shall we gather, gather at the river? Shall we gather with the saints above?
Shall we gather, gather at the river? Gather for to sing of God's great love.
Sinners all around the feasting table. Gladly God's good grace we prove.
Shall we gather, gather at the river? Gather for to sing of God's great love.
Vs 1: Sing the Love that made the mountains, shim'ring snow capped in the sun.
Rivers roaring twisting turning 'till into the sea they run.
Sing the Love that placed the infant, resting in her mother's arms,
Graced the earth with glades and forests, laden with a million charms.
Vs 2: Sing the Love that fashioned music, thus to heal the hardest heart.
Work and water, dance and diamonds, air and azure, ants and art.
Sing the Love that gave the prophets, speech and strength beyond their 'ken'
Love that calls us to repentance, time and time and time again.
Chorus
Vs 3: Sing the love that knows our grieving, Through the long and tedious night,
Sing the love that brings relieveing, Like the morning's healing light.
Sing the Love that feels our sorrow, Bears our weeping, tastes our tears
Love that will not leave us friendless, Even when no help seems near.
Vs 4: Sing the love of God Almighty now distilled in human frame,
Humbly born and living simply, Jesus was his given name.
Lamb and Lion, source and Saviour, voice and vision, word and way,
King and calling, bridge and brother, Life and light and dawn and day.
Chorus
Vs 5: Sing the Love that found us sinners, bound by lies or guilt or pride,
Met us in the healing water, fed us by the river side.
Sing the Love which now invites us, to the feast that never ends.
Down the ages now and ever, singing feasting, family friends.
Down the ages now and ever, singing, feasting, family, friends
Hymn Chorus: (congregation joining; choir singing a related part)
Yes we'll gather at the river; The beautiful, the beautiful, the river
Gather with the saints at the river, that flows from the throne of God
Chorus
copyright 2004 Ken Medema and Celia Whitler