Repertoire and Standards - Choral Music in Worship
July 2008
Greetings from the Music in Worship Chair
If you do not know me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Peter de Mets and I am the R&S Chair for Music in Worship for ADCA-PA. I served for 13 years as the Director of Music and Organist at Forest Grove Presbyterian Church in Central Bucks County. Currently, I am a tenor soloist and section leader with the Morrisville Presbyterian Church. I am really looking forward to working with all of the worship-related choirs in PA. I am still very interested in opening this R&S division to other faiths. If you are involved in a non-Christian choral group, I would really love to hear from you. If there is something that you would like for me to do for you, please don't hesitate to contact me via email at pdm@peterdemetsmusic.com.
SUMMER CONFERENCE INFO
I hope to see and meet all of you at this summer’s conference, Building Bridges/Creating Community. Our President-Elect, Ed McCall, has planned a wonderful, full scheduled, amazing conference with needs for every R and S concentration. Robert A M Ross, the 2-year college chair, and I have put together a reading session entitled “Advent to Passover, A Spiritual Journey” with music from the Christian and Jewish traditions with special attention to the “holy days” of both faiths. I am hoping that you’ll be able to attend and be a part of this unique reading session. Choirs of all types will find something they can use.
RENE CLAUSEN COMMISSION INFO
A very exciting project indeed! ACDA-PA’s Music in Worship members are joining together to commission Dr. Rene Clausen for a brand new piece suitable for worship! Currently, we have ten choirs from around PA that have joined together to commission the work. This consortium of choirs and their directors will share the cost of the commission and will all have the opportunity to bring the piece to their congregations so multiple performances of the anthem will be done all over the state. This project is something that I have been thinking about ever since I heard the words “R and S Chair for Music in Worship”. Although we are still trying to put together all of the details, here is the information that I can tell you for sure.
- The commissioned work will be premiered in early May 2009.
- We have invited Dr. Clausen to come and conduct the premiere. (we’re awaiting his response to announce the definite date of the premiere)
- We are currently looking into a video conference hookup for the consortium member choirs that are too far away to be a part of the premiere/workshop.
If you are interested in being a part of this exciting opportunity, please let me know via email ASAP! The more choirs involved, the better the cost for each member. Currently, the consortium is open to church choirs of all faiths and denominations. Keep in mind that the piece we are commissioning is suitable for worship, but if your community group or other choir would be interested and able to be a part of the consortium, contact me and we can hopefully work something out.
I hope that I can be of assistance to you and your choirs. Contact me at the above email address with any questions or suggestions.
Peace,
Peter de Mets
Chair, Music in Worship
Past Information from 2007-08:
Over the last couple of weeks I have been looking into the vast repertoire that we as church musicians have at our disposal. It is so difficult sometimes to pull out that one special anthem that will enhance our worship. I guess you have all heard about the “deserted island” list. So here is my list of anthems that I wouldn't want to be without if ever I was on a deserted island (with an accomplished choir, an organ, maybe some handbells…)
- “Set Me As a Seal” (from A NEW CREATION) by Rene Clausen (Mark Foster Music)
- “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep” by John Rutter (Hinshaw Press)
- “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter de Mets (Alderpoint Press)
- “Go Down Moses” by Mark Hayes (Hinshaw Press)
- “God Be In My Head” by Peter de Mets and Kevin McChesney (Jeffers Handbell)
- “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” by Dwight Gustafson (Coronet Press)
- “Mary's Lullaby” by John Rutter (Oxford University Press)
- “Praise to the Lord the Almighty” arranged by Robert Sterling (Shawnee Press)
- “Sanctus” by Craig Courtney (Roger Dean Publishing)
- “Peace I Leave with You” by Rene Clausen (Mark Foster Music)
So, there it is. Here is my own list of “deserted island” anthems. Certainly not enough for an entire church liturgical year, but add this list to your favorite anthems and you've got almost half the year taken care of.
If you need anything, I am at your disposal. I can most easily be reached at my email address, above.
Peace and Joy in the coming church year!
Peter de Mets
R&S Chair, Music in Worship
