Worship Arts July August September 2022

Instrumental, Book

This book of reflections is a wonderful addition to a church’s schedule of Bible studies. Because Vincent’s text offers flexibility in use, it can be taught as a class facilitated by either pastoral or lay leadership, or used as personal practice. The publication release is parallel with the lectionary readings for year C, which include passages from Luke. This opens up the possibility of expanded and interconnectional study between the lectionary texts, this book, and Luke-based sermons and songs of the season. Following this last season of long choral pauses due to the pandemic, this text also makes a great study to use with the church choir as they rebuild community. Instrumental Ed Duling is a trombonist, tubist, and semi-retired music education professor who divides his time between organ duties at Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH, and contributing to the music program at Canal Lewisville United Methodist Church, Coshocton, OH. Angels We Have Heard on High: Five Carol Ac companiments, Charles E. Peery, MorningStar Music Publishers MSM-20-758, 2020, brass quartet/quintet and organ with congregation and optional soprano descant. As with several sets of public domain hymn settings from the publisher, Peery’s carol settings – Angels We have Heard on High (Gloria), It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Carol), Joy to the World (Antioch), The First Nowell (The First Nowell), and What Child is This (Greensleeves) – center on a theme, here, Christmas.

This collection can be used in concert, service playing, weddings, and other occasions. (A visit to the Morn ingsStarMusic.com website will allow you to see this young virtuoso playing all these selections at various locations.) Book

Recently ordained Deacon Rev. Victoria Schwarz is Director of Music, Berkeley UMC, Austin, TX, and Chapter Coordinator of The Fellowship.

Good News of Great Joy: Advent Reflections on the Songs of Luke, Max O. Vincent, Upper Room Books, upperroombooks.com, ISBN 978-0-8358-1970-1. “...the music of Christmas did not begin with the many carols by unknown composers, the first half of Handel’s Messiah, or Charles Wesley’s Hark! The Herald Angels SIng! It began with the singing of angels outside of Bethlehem... [and] three other songs of praise in [Luke’s] opening chapters before and after the angels sing. These songs welcome the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises” (p. 11). The canticles recorded in the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel have been the substance of countless hymns

and anthems throughout the centuries, standing alongside more frequently performed Advent and Christmas carols as standard practice in choral and congregational repertoire. Unlike the more popular carols though, Luke’s canticles are, in fact, some of the earliest songs of the Church, still prayed daily in some Christian traditions. Despite this, these canticles

It would be the rare congregation which does not use most (or all) of these carols during Christmas. The carols have an introduction, a standard harmonization, and a “variegated” alternate final stanza complete with soprano descant. By repeating the standard harmonization for accompanying a choir and/or congregation, and by using the alternate harmonization for the final stanza – with or without descant – you have, in effect, a hymn concertato. Again, with rehearsal guidance and individual practice, excellent high schoolers could play these settings; more experienced players will be fine with one or two repeti tions, with attention to the final stanza portions. A secure organist will require brief private practice and rehearsal with the brass as needed. The second trombone and tuba have essentially the same part, with some octave displace ment – thus the “quartet or quintet” designation. Included are reproducible parts for all, including: C trumpets (as well as B flat), F horn (as a sub for the first trombone), organ (separate from the score if desired), and the soprano descant. Each carol’s setting is in its usual key as found in most hymnals. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 32 July-August-September 2022 • WorshipArts • umfellowship.org find less representation in hymn studies and devotionals. In this book of reflections, author Max Vincent takes a step toward filling this gap, and invites the reader to a journey of discovery concerning the Magnificat, the Benedictus, the Gloria in Excelsis, and the Nunc Dimittis. In his introduction, Vincent describes these canticles as songs that precede, announce, and celebrate the birth of Jesus, and encourages readers to consider the deeper meaning of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Using ex amples from his experience as a pastor, Vincent draws out details within the canticles, diving deeply into sacred con nections between these texts and other scripture passages, as well as personal and communal spiritual practices. The book is organized into four sections, each exploring the context, content, and spirituality of these canticles through six daily readings which include suggested practices and contemplative questions to encourage further reflection. In addition, the book provides a concise Leader’s Guide that outlines a group study format.