ChoirWorks.com : Choral Music by M Ryan Taylor

. . . free and nearly-free choral music from award-winning composer M Ryan Taylor

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:32:14 +0000

Welcome! On this site you'll find nearly-free and free-to-use Choral music that I have arranged or composed . . .

A La Nanita Nana

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:59:47 +0000

Here is a simple arrangement of A La Nanita Nana. This is a delightful Spanish carol, presented here with the original Spanish words . . .

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All Glory, Laud and Honor

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:50:04 +0000

A new pairing of this classic hymn with a beautiful, majestic tune by Gustav Holst (prominently featured in his great orchestral work, The Planets).

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All Good Gifts [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:03:43 +0000

A joyous, lilting anthem of thanksgiving (appropriate for any time of the year) that reminds us that "All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above."

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America, the Beautiful

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:39:10 +0000

As I was going through this hymn again, preparing to arrange it, I was deeply moved by how rich the text is. I never noticed this before, though I've been singing it since I was a child. I think I got used to it before I had a chance to recognize how powerful it really is. I guess that's one of the dangers of being exposed to profound things at an early age (not that I would wish away my familiarity with it either).

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Angels we have Heard on High

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:30:00 +0000

I released a simple, new harmonization of “Angels we have Heard on High” for SATB quartet on The Old Father Christmas Caroler's Companion. This version is identicle except that it adds an alternation between the men and the women on verses 2 and 4, just…

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As With Gladness Men of Old | Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:10:24 +0000

This arrangement takes the famous tune by Felix Mendelssohn & places a new 18th-century style counterpoint around it.

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Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake! [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:19:25 +0000

"Awake to righteousness, be one," is the exhortation in this simple, but powerful setting of Eliza R. Snows hymn.

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Away in a Manger

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:26:21 +0000

This intermediate arrangement of Away in a Manger combines three well known tunes that are commonly associated with this beloved carol.

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Beautiful Savior (SATB)

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:05:09 +0000

Though the text of this Hymn is not specific to the Easter season, I really like to program it at that time. Really, it is appropriate for any service of the year; it would even work beautifully for Christmas. This arrangement is an expanded version of t…

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Beautiful Savior (SSAB)

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:15:07 +0000

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Behold! the Harvest Wide Extends [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:49:01 +0000

This missionary anthem is appropriate for any occasion requiring a little evangelical fire.

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Book of Mormon Stories [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:55:45 +0000

This beloved children's song, arranged for adult SATB choir, is sure to delight young and old members of your congregation alike.

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Christ Rising Again by William Byrd

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:30:05 +0000

The original version of this piece is in d-minorand contained sections in which the upper two staveswere accompanied by a consort of instruments. Thisedition fills in those instrumental sections with words(as may have been done by singers of the time),making the piece suitable for an SSATTB acapellachoir. Meters were simplified, slurs added to melismaticpassages, and dynamics marked. A few words wereshifted to make some timing issues easier. Lastly,several notes in the third staff were shifted by anoctave to better suit the range of the altos.

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Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:26:53 +0000

A joyous anthem of thanksgiving. This anthem is easy on the choir but requires a good accompanist.

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Con Mi Burrito Sabanero, a Villancico (Spanish Christmas Carol)

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:42:09 +0000

Con Mi Burrito Sabanero (With my Grasslands Donkey) is a wonderful Spanish Christmas Carol (or Villancico) from the perspective of a little boy riding his little burro to Bethlehem, singing and playing his cantrico all the way. I’ve arranged it for 2 or 3-part choir with percussion.

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Deck the Hall

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:31:51 +0000

This "Deck the Hall" is spiced up with some fun time signature changes and a dash of kazoos.

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Father, We Thank Thee [Free]

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:55:54 +0000

This is a new arrangement of a song I wrote about six years ago for an album of Thanksgiving songs. It is simple, peaceful. Though I believe its appropriate to express grattitude at any time of the year, it would be a good selection for a service near Thanksgiving.

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Halloween Quodlibets: 1. Unlikely Company [Free]

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:37:29 +0000

A quodlibet or 'what you will' is a group of songs that can all be sung at the same time. "Unlikely Company" features five songs featuring a strange mix of Halloween creatures . . .

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Halloween Quodlibets: 2. The Ghost Ship [Free]

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:46:41 +0000

A quodlibet or 'what you will' is a group of songs that can all be sung at the same time. "The Ghost Ship" features five songs featuring the crew of a Ghost Ship (the Black Pearl, maybe?) . . .

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Halloween Quodlibets: 3. We're Back! [Free]

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:16:53 +0000

A quodlibet or 'what you will' is a group of songs that can all be sung at the same time. "We're Back!" features four songs featuring undead Halloween monsters: the skeleton, the vampire, the mummy and the zombie.

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Harvest Hymn [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:48:15 +0000

While the text is somewhat grim and thoughtful, it is a perfect match for Thanksgiving, a Harvest Celebration or any service that speaks about the parable of the wheat and the tares or the second coming of Christ.

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He Shall Feed His Flock from Handel’s Messiah (acappella)

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:11:19 +0000

He Shall Feed His Flock is one of the lovely solos from Handel’s Messiah that is appropriate for Christmas, Easter or any sacred concert or service focusing on the Savior.There are two options given of the solo in the original oratorio, this arrangement is based on the one that starts off with an Alto soloist and then, in the second half, a Soprano soloist takes over. I’ve arranged it here for an SATB acappella quartet (though there is no reason a larger choir couldn’t use it):The arrangement still features the soprano and alto solos (or sections if you desire). I hope you enjoy it.

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How Firm a Foundation

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:52:59 +0000

This arrangement appropriate for any service - the text illustrates perfectly the tender mercies of the Savior.

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How Gentle God's Commands

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:01:09 +0000

I chose this hymn for the theme "repentance," but it would equally compliment themes like "commandments," "mercy," "grace," or "faith."

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I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:12:27 +0000

A favorite hymn of testimony and devotion, perfect for any meeting centering it's focus on the Savior.

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I Need Thee Every Hour

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:18:14 +0000

An arrangement of this beloved hymn with optional tenor solo and violin part.

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Joseph, thou son of David [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:36:07 +0000

It is difficult to find Christmas music that focuses on the role of Joseph, Christ's foster father. Joseph was perhaps the third convert, after Mary and Martha.

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Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning! [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:45:23 +0000

The overlying message is one of peace and comfort: that the Bridegroom (Christ) is near, He is even at the door, that we have no need to fear if we will but wait on and for Him, keeping our lamps "trimmed and burning."

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Lead, Kindly Light

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:52:55 +0000

By request: a simple version of this loved hymn for choir and organ. There is a short acapella section for the choir, but if you could have the organist double the choir on their parts.

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Lee-Loo-Lye : A Christmas Lullaby [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:58:50 +0000

Often in the course of a Christmas program there is room and need for a little change of timbre and texture; this lullaby for women's chorus is perfect for that spot.

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Let There Be Lights in the Firmament of Heaven [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:06:21 +0000

Appropriate for themes of transience, time, repentance, death, and farewells. I adopted a dance-like meter to symbolize that all things with the Lord are one eternal round.

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Mary's Manger Song [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:14:02 +0000

The text is at times peaceful, at times somber, at times joyous, and I have tried to reflect that in the setting.

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Never Be Still (Harvest Song)

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:02:40 +0000

I found this song in an old collection of folk music some years ago and arranged it for a Phoenix Rising (my chamber choir) 'Harvest' concert.

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Ode to a Fruitcake [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:02:57 +0000

The irony here is that even though I wrote this seasonal song all in good fun, I love fruitcake.

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On Bethlehem's Silent Plain (SATB) [Free]

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:09:46 +0000

This peaceful, soulful setting of this beautiful text captures the feel of an Appalachian spiritual.

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On Bethlehem's Silent Plain (TTBB) [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:09:11 +0000

This peaceful, soulful setting of this beautiful text captures the feel of an Appalachian spiritual.

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Ring! Bells Ring! [Free]

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:31:40 +0000

I found this delightful carol text when I was working on my children’s Christmas songbook, “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem,” back in 2004. In this version, the voices imitate the sound of the bells, a la “Ring Christmas Bells" (aka “Carol of the Bells"), while the bass sings the words of the tune. This has a completely different feel, but you get the idea. I love the text; it is somewhat ambiguous and leaves me wondering if it is talking about Old Father Christmas or the Christ Child . . . it could go either way.

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Sir Christemasse [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:14:56 +0000

For a more advanced choir's Christmas program. If you're looking for something beautiful, upbeat and adventurous, this may be what you're looking for.

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Star in the East

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:20:41 +0000

Offering "the heart's adoration" to the Christ Child is the theme of the text, placing us individually in the shoes of the wise men.

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The Fruit is Sweet [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:38:18 +0000

This anthem speaks of the many blessings granted us through the restored priesthood with an attitude of gratefulness and humility.

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The March of the Three Kings : a Christmas Fantasy

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:29:21 +0000

This version of The March of the Three Kings is sung acappella in an ABA form. This could be sung by a seasoned group of carolers or an acappella choir (who would shun the thought of singing all three verses the same each time). It is offered in e and g minor, both keys in one file.

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The Snowman Song [Free]

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:27:20 +0000

Once there was a snowman, Who stood outside the door, He wished that he could come inside, And run about the floor . . .

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The Three Kings [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:58:49 +0000

I've long been fascinated by the "Three Kings." We know very little about them. The scriptures call them wise men, not kings, and never mentions their number . . .

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The Wexford Carol

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:04:02 +0000

The tune is quite beautiful and rather unique among traditional tunes as it shifts modes mid-tune which gives it a light and floating quality.

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Then I was Glad [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:46:28 +0000

This is my version of "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks at Night" with a number of text changes as well as all new music.

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Three Peaces [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:20:34 +0000

Three of my first sacred choral settings: The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee, Peace I Leave with You, How Excellent is Thy Name in all the Earth.

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Truth Eternal

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:10:59 +0000

This arrangement for intermediate choirs may be simplified by leaving out the middle note in the 3-part divisi for both or either the men's or women's sections. Schreiner's melody is treated with an interesting harmonic background that adds an additional dimension to the piece.

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Tyrlow, Tyrloo, Tyrle (a Christmas Processional) [Free]

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:25:58 +0000

This piece calls on the pastoral images of Spring, which is described as it miraculously bursts through the Winter's tide.

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Unto Us a Child is Born

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:50:53 +0000

This version of Unto us a Child is Born! is performed ABA. The middle B section is more difficult and will require some experienced singers. This is based on an old chant-like tune, Puer Nobis Nascitur, from a collection published in 1582 called Piae Cantiones (from which we find find carols like In Dulci Jubilo). I have played with the rhythms, the words and the harmonization.

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Wake, Awake for Night is Flying!

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:10:44 +0000

This version of the carol mixes snippets of "Good Christian Men Rejoice" with the "Wachet Auf" tune.

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We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:27:30 +0000

This has been a beloved favorite of LDS congregations for well over a century. This setting for unison choir begins thoughtfully and gradually crescendos to the line "We will sing of his goodness and mercy" - joyfully thanking God for His divine guidance and love.

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We Three Kings

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:32:12 +0000

This acapella arrangement of "We Three Kings" has some tight harmonies, but nothing that should overwhelm most choirs. The new third verse adds a personal dimension to the lyric, expounding on what we can give to our Savior today.

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Welcome, Said the Spider [Free]

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:44:56 +0000

This new arrangement of my popular children's song from Thirteen for Halloween has been keyed up to d-minor to make it more appropriate for children's voices. Optionally, a training children's choirs can sing the melody in unison, if desired.The Text:"Welcome," said the spi-der,"Come right in.""I’m so glad to have you,I feel mighty thin."

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What Child is This? Emmanuel!

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:58:58 +0000

This arrangement combines the Gregorian chant "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" with the Renaissance melody greensleeves for which the words "What Child is This?" were written. I hope and feel this goes beyond a mere medley of tunes; the modality of each enhances the other as well as the combined message.I've set this for intermediate/advanced SSAB choir a cappella. I know this is an unusual combination, but I think very practical. Many SAB choirs are perfectly capable of singing challenging music, but lack the amount of men to do SATB arrangements. I plan to write more for this kind of choir/quartet in the future.

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What the Man of Faith Said [Free]

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:08:33 +0000

The text, by Vachel Lindsay (one of America's great poets), celebrates the simple things that we often take for granted and I think would be wonderfully appropriate for a Thanksgiving service or concert.

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Wonderful! is in the Stable [Free]

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:43:30 +0000

The words of this original carol reflect on the symbols of how our Savior is "the bread of life," "the bright and morning star," as well as "lamb of God." Surely Christ will be "our compass and our lantern for all eternity."

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Wondrous Love

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:52:31 +0000

This sacred song of saving grace and the love of Christ is intended to be sung with exuberance.

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