O Dayspring
Karen Marrolli (b. 1975)
Text source: O Antiphon
Reflects on Collect for Advent 1, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: piano and violin
Duration: 2:43
Language: English
Advent
Advent 1
16 recommended works by women composers for Advent 1.
Year A
ReadingsO Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Moonyeen Albrecht (1936–2020)
Text source: Psalm 122:6,7
Reflects on Psalm 122
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SAB
Accompaniment: organ
Duration: 3:00
Language: English
Out of Your Sleep Arise and Wake
Imogen Holst (1907–1984)
Reflects on Romans 13: 11-14
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SSATTB
Accompaniment: a cappella
Language: English
Year B
ReadingsAn Advent Carol
Ellen Gilson Voth (b. 1972)
Words by Christina Rossetti
Reflects on Mark 13:24-37
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SSA or SATB
Accompaniment: keyboard
Language: English
Blessed Be!
Words and music by Melanie DeMore (b. 1970)
Reflects on Genesis 22:17
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: walking stick
Language: English
commissioned for Vocal Essence (2019); errata for MOV score: Percussion should be on beats 2 and 4, not 1 and 3
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Marty Wheeler Burnett (b. 1961)
Words by Charles Wesley
Reflects on the day’s overall theme.
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 2:25
Language: English
Drop down ye heavens
Judith Weir (b. 1954)
Text source: Advent Prose
Reflects on Isaiah 45:8
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 1:35
Language: English
Guide My Feet
Jacqueline Hairston (b. 1938)
Text source: Spiritual
Reflects on Mark 13:24-37
Anthem · Soloist
Voicing: Mezzo
Accompaniment: a cappella
Language: English
Hear, Hear O Shepherd of Israel
Words and music by Patricia Van Ness (b. 1951)
Reflects on Psalm 80:1, 3, 17
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SSATBdiv
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 3:48
Language: English
Matins Responsory
Janette Fishell (b. 1958)
Text source: Traditional Responsory: Aspiciens a longe
Reflects on [Introit/opening responsory]
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB · Solos: S, B
Accompaniment: a cappella
Language: English
O Dayspring
Karen Marrolli (b. 1975)
Text source: O Antiphon
Reflects on Collect for Advent 1, Psalm 80, I Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37, I Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: piano and violin
Duration: 2:43
Language: English
O Oriens
Cecilia McDowall (b. 1951)
Text source: O Antiphon
Reflects on Collect/Psalm
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SSATBdiv
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 3:30
Language: Latin
O Oriens
Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980)
Text source: O Antiphon
Reflects on Collect/Psalm
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 5:30
Language: Latin
The Darkness is no Darkness
Judith Bingham (b. 1952)
Text source: Psalm 139
Reflects on Mark 13:24-37
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SSAATTBB · Solos: S
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 4:30
Language: English
Bingham suggests S. S. Wesley "Thou Wilt Keep" to follow this piece
Year C
ReadingsAdvent Moon
Cecilia McDowall (b. 1951)
Words by Angier Brock
Reflects on Collect for Advent 1, Luke 21:25-36
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: organ, opt. handbells
Duration: 4:00
Language: English
Advent Responsories
Sarah MacDonald (b. 1968)
Text source: Matin Respond, Advent Sunday
Reflects on the day’s overall theme.
Anthem · Choir
Voicing: SSATTB · Solos: SSAT
Accompaniment: a cappella
Duration: 4:30
Language: English
Nicely repetitive for the choir; a good piece if Soloistists are available.
The Call
Jessica French (b. 1984)
Words by George Herbert
Reflects on the day’s overall theme.
Anthem · Young Trebles
Voicing: S · Solos: Descant
Accompaniment: violin, organ
Language: English