Pender’s Music Co.’sFeatured Christmas Cantatas

for the 2011 Christmas Season

Scroll through the slideshow to view new titles that our choral experts have chosen as best Christmas cantatas of the season! Click on the Cover images to:

• Listen to Sample Audio*• View pdfs of the Scores*• Add to Your Pender's Shopping Cart/Wish List

*where available

Shout the Good News!

In Shout the Good News!, the composer Lloyd Larson has created a celebration of Jesus' birth and of those messengers who helped God's purposes to be fulfilled. New material is blended with beloved carols, creating a rich tapestry of music for Christmas worship. The biblical narrative is rich as well. It starts with the Old Testament prophets who foretold the Messiah's coming, then touches on angels, shepherds, wise men, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and others as it weaves its way through the miraculous Christmas story. The culmination is a congregational affirmation that all of us are called to be messengers of this good news of Christ's birth and love! Available in SATB or SAB versions, this versatile work for choirs large or small offers opportunities to involve the congregation in the singing of beloved carol melodies. It is equally effective whether accompanied by piano alone or by the colorful orchestration created by Michael Lawrence, utilizing either the accompaniment CD or live instrumentalists. Shout the Good News! of God becoming flesh and living among us!Lloyd Larson

23079110

Joseph Martin

Tapestry of Light

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The joy and hope of Christmas are celebrated in this new Celtic-styled cantata from the pen that brought you The Mystery and the Majesty and Winter's Grace. This jubilant work is filled with tuneful carols, thoughtful narration, and sparkling orchestrations. Traditional melodies form the foundation of this tapestry of light bringing to your holiday presentation a pleasing mixture of choirs, carols, and candlelight. Presented in both SAB and SATB formats, a full line of support products is available including a digital resource kit complete with PowerPoint images, rehearsal tips, and art files to assist in the creation of your program. Two orchestration options by Stan Pethel are available: a Celtic consort, and full orchestra.

Pepper Choplin

Lead Me Back to Bethlehem

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Lead Me Back to Bethlehem to witness the joyful exuberance of the shepherds, the serene peace of Mary, and the redeeming love of the newly born Christ child. Lead me back to that wondrous night to experience the utter simplicity of that blessed event and to see the star of holy light, following wherever it leads us. Through his signature style, with its simplicity of means, Choplin leads us through this Bethlehem story using carols familiar folk songs with new seasonal texts, and original music and narrative. The choral parts are exceedingly melodic and sing very easily in either voicing. Helpful rehearsal resources ranging from reproducible part-dominant CDs to bulk performance CDs are available to facilitate the learning process. The instrumentation may be a simple keyboard accompaniment; four instruments, percussion, and digital strings; a larger ensemble of winds, strings, and percussion; or an accompaniment CD. All are equally effective. No matter the resources selected to produce this work, the real message of the Christmas story is magnificently yet simply conveyed to both performers and listeners as all are collectively "led back to Bethlehem" to rediscover the joy, peace, and love that Christmas offers to all of us.

Mary McDonald &Larry Shackley

Celebrate His Name!Proclaim His Birth!

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McDonald & Shackley have combined their musical gifts with the inspired lyrics of Pamela Martin to create a captivating 30 minute cantata for SATB or SAB choirs. In this unique work, the many names of Christ foretold in the Old Testament are used to proclaim the familiar story of Christmas: Immanuel, God With Us brings to life Mary's visit from the angel; Son of David depicts the journey to Bethlehem; and King of Kings involves the Wise Men and the congregation in worship. Lovely original melodies stand alongside familiar carols to create a musical experience suitable for churches of all traditions. A simple, scriptural narration joins the seven choral pieces, and an optional joyous instrumental overture sets the stage with a medley of Christmas favorites. The orchestration of this work is within the range of many churches, with the option of using digital keyboard along with a small group of woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Performance time: approximately 30 minutes.

Lowell Alexander/arr. Robert Sterling

Wings of Joy

23205319

Here is a dynamic Christmas offering created by Alexander and arranged and orchestrated by Sterling. Every one of the songs is full of emotion, as each one contains the word "joy." From moments of high, joyous praise to quiet, meditative times of reflection, this work will provide a truly fresh and unique worship experience for your choir and congregation. (Dur: ca. 33:30).

Jay Althouse

Joy to the World

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At 25-minutes in length, this Christmas musical by Althouse is ideally suited for inclusion in a Christmas worship service and is especially appropriate for Christmas Eve. Containing accessible settings of seven of the best-loved carols, all of which include options for congregational singing, this is also a great carol resource. Designed for today’s amateur, volunteer singers, the settings are not difficult and can be quickly learned. Church, community, and school choirs alike will find this a useful addition to their library. The stately and satisfying optional instrumental accompaniment is very feasible with eight accessible parts which can easily be performed by amateur or school-age musicians.

arr. Tom Fettke

God Is with Us

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God Is with Us is a celebration of a miracle: the appearance of God on earth in the body and human soul of Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis calls this amazing birth "A grand miracle. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this." The Incarnation is a sacred event so thrilling, so humbling, so mystifying that we must stand breathless in wonder and awe. This tells the Christmas story using choir, soloists and a scripture narrative. The accompaniment may be simply piano and/or organ. If you have the resources, the magnificent full orchestration is available for purchase (there is a smaller chamber orchestration as well), and a recorded CD accompaniment, too. God Is with Us is traditional in style, but features innovative twists and turns. It combines exciting and moving classical music by Faure, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and Billings with some of the world's most loved Christmas Carols. It begins with the awe-filled simplicity of Gregorian Chant and concludes with a fun, festive journey through favorite carols with a Nutcracker flair. And in between, one experiences indescribably beautiful music, worthy of the celebration of such a glorious and miraculous event.

Robert Sterling

There is a Rose

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A unique and extremely useful concept for a Christmas cantata, this lovely work by Sterling may be used in various ways. The entire work, including the Christmas Intrada and four suites, each containing original and familiar music and divided by poignant narrative, may be used in one presentation. However, it has been designed for each of the four suites to be used on any or all of the Sundays of Advent and Christmas. The cantata is scored for choir, soloists and keyboard, or it may be presented with chamber orchestra accompaniment. A moving and versatile offering!

Crumpton & Gambill

Celebrate the Day

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The Biblical account of Christ leaving heaven, as a Babe in a manger, to ultimately experience the cross on our behalf to show His love for us, is a story worthy of celebration! Celebrate the Day -- A Praise and Worship Youth Musical for Christmas, takes the Youth Choir, Youth Praise Band, fresh new sounds and songs, familiar Christmas favorites, along with worship leader narration, and helps your church experience the Christmas story like never before! Nothing captures the energy and intensity inherent in any belief or cause like the passion of youth; combine that passion with the fervor of young believers singing music that captures their hearts, then get ready to take the leap and plunge your church into a season of worship!

Mauldin/Smith/Crumpton

Mary Did You Know?

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From the Ready To Sing Series: Created around the dramatic, inspired Mary, Did You Know? , here is an easy-to-learn, easy-to-sing SATB arrangement that is simple, yet dramatically powerful. This 35-minute celebration is filled with classic carols and hymns, along with stirring new songs. It is masterfully arranged and orchestrated by Russell Mauldin. Songs include: Tidings of Great Joy Overture · Glory to the Newborn King Medley (Hark! the Herald Angels Sing/A Song to Sing/Angels, from the Realms of Glory) · Born to Save Us · Manger Throne Medley (Away in a Manger/The First Noel/Angels, from the Realms of Glory) · One King · Who Would Imagine a King? · Mary, Did You Know? · Jesus, Messiah with O Come, Let Us Adore Him · Great Joy Medley (How Great Our Joy!/For Unto Us a Child Is Born/Hallelujah Chorus).

Lindsey/Labar/Smith

The Night Before Christmas

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'Twas the night before Christmas...and there was stirring everywhere! Heaven must have been abuzz with excitement as they watched an unsuspecting world go about their normal routines, knowing that tomorrow morning EVERYTHING would be different! Here is the Christmas story brought to life through a stirring 45-minute musical , The Night Before Christmas. Dynamically arranged and orchestrated, this compelling re-telling of the events leading up to Christ's coming combines carefully crafted SATB choir arrangements, festive orchestrations, and simple narration for an inspiring easy-to-learn, easy-to-perform Christmas musical of hope. Songs include: Across the Sky with Angels We Have Heard on High · The Night Before Christmas · O Come, O Come, Emmanuel · Beautiful Surprise · His Name Is Jesus with O Come, Let Us Adore Him · Like Shepherds and Wise Men Do with Angels, From the Realms of Glory · He Came for All Underscore · Orphans of God · Just Like Bethlehem · In the First Light · Finale: Night Before Christmas with Christmas Then and Now.

David Moffitt & Cliff Duren

We Have Our Savior

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Carefully crafted, arranged, and created for today's modern worship choir, We Have Our Savior includes familiar songs of Christmas in concert with new seasonal modern worship songs. This remarkable new resource for Christmas offers songs that lead you into and through the entire Christmas season. Utilizing the optional Worship Leader and Narration 'dialogue,' We Have Our Savior provides focus and flexibility in planning your Christmas season services. This 57-minute modern worship choir collection is easily adaptable to both large and small choirs, or for praise teams using either a live worship band or accompaniment tracks. Adding to its flexibility are the full orchestrations, available for each song. In addition to the CD Accompaniment Split-Track, a DVD Accompaniment Split-Track is also available, adding a high impacting visual experience to your presentation of this powerful Christmas worship musical.

arr. Steve Mauldin

Come and Adore Him

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Come and Adore Him is a delightful mix of traditional Christmas favorites with new sounds that will enhance any holiday celebration. Every song in the collection is masterfully arranged for senior adults, in basic four-part harmony that works for any size choir, with extra cue notes provided for larger or more experienced choirs, and traditional sounds of classic carols are interspersed with foot-stompin' Southern gospel that will raise the rafters. From the lovely strains of the traditional What Child Is This? to the Southern gospel treat Every Light That Shines at Christmas, these heart-warming songs with accessible choral voicings and lush orchestrations provide all the fixin's for a down-home Christmas musical feast!

arr. Mike Speck

Down from His Glory

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Down from His Glory is warm and comforting -- just what we all want Christmas to be. The familiar and much-loved title song is given new life, as the message of the classic hymn becomes the common thread binding this work together. This refreshing, exciting work combines new songs with old favorites. The masterful arrangements involve the entire spectrum of your church music program, from children to adults, soloists to praise team or special ensembles. Regardless of size or experience, Down from His Glory is accessible for any choir and incorporates a variety of musical styles your church musicians and congregation will love. From the Caribbean rhythms of Ha La La La with Alleluia to the simple and sweet strains of children's voices in Five Little Fingers to the soaring melody of He Loved Us More with More than Wonderful to the lively Southern gospel of Glory, there is something for everyone in Down from His Glory.

Davis/Keveren/Speck/Duren/Knight/Rhodes

Emmanuel Has Come

23335314

Five songs, arranged for unison or easy two part harmonies by some of the best arrangers and orchestrators in the business. They're all tied together with well-placed narration, making this one a complete Christmas mini-musical that will fit nicely into any worship service or other Christmas program. It is a great addition to the repertoire of small or inexperienced choirs, senior adults, or choirs with little time to rehearse. Any of the songs can be easily lifted out and effectively used as stand-alone anthems.

arr. Camp Kirkland

Heaven on Earth

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Heaven on Earth is a big Christmas gift in a small package. Just over 35 minutes in length, with easy to moderate vocals and great solo opportunities, this little gem of a musical is perfect for your Sunday morning Christmas celebration and still leaves plenty of time for all the other elements you normally include in your worship service. Includes exciting original songs, along with works from well-known songwriters you have come to love and respect. All are masterfully arranged and orchestrated by Kirkland. This versatile work can be used in its entirety with narrator, in concert format, or as a resource collection of individual anthems for Christmas season specials.

Marty Parks

Light Looked Down

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Jesus: the Peace that looked down on our war, the Love that looked down on our hatred, the Light that looked down on our darkness. Parks combines this powerful Christmas message with exciting songs and carols of the season, including such new favorites as Christ Child and Light Looked Down. Accessible choral arranging and rich orchestration make Light Looked Down the perfect offering for small and large choirs alike.

Pepper Choplin

Searching for the King

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Following the success of the Dove Award winning musical, A Baby Changes Everything, Clydesdale brings Searching for the King, a one-of-a-kind dramatic Christmas musical. A dynamic contemporary story parallels the biblical story delivering a message as powerful as the prophets and as relevant as today's headlines. An exciting script juxtaposes one of the Magi (Mordecai) as he follows the Star of Bethlehem with Benjamin, a soldier stationed in the Middle East 2,000 years later, who is looking up at the same stars. They are both searching for the truth, and they both find it at the foot of the manger. The musical requires only six actors (3 male and 3 female) and features an engaging scene for children's choir as well as a thrilling mix of songs and beloved carols. A detailed production manual and optional DVD will ensure that Searching for the King will deliver the heart of Christmas to your congregation and community.

David Hamilton

Sing Gloria

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Spectacular orchestrations and choral arranging are the hallmarks of this elegant Christmas concert. Featuring a sparkling overture, unique treatments of carols, worship sequences, a special number featuring children's choir and electrifying new songs, Sing Gloria may be used in its entirety in a concert format or as a resource collection throughout the Advent/Christmas season. This is vocal and orchestral Christmas music at its best.

Duren/Fettke/Goss/Kingsmore

When Love Was Born

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The significance of the night Christ was born is told in this simple setting of great arrangements by some of today's most loved arrangers. Only 20 minutes in length, the unison/two-part voicing is accessible for choirs of any size without sacrificing the stirring musical emotions of the season. Featuring thoughtful scriptural narration and Kingsmore's well-crafted choral parts, your choir will shine as they sing of the joyous night When Love Was Born.

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