A Thanksgiving Canticle

Uses: General Thanksgiving Scripture: Psalm 9:1 Jeremiah 30:19 II Corinthians 4:15 Philippians 4:6-7 One of our most beloved sacred tunes is transformed by a new text offering up a gentle and joyous prayer of thanksgiving. The organ sets an atmosphere of reflection and worship forming a bed for this ancient plainsong melody. Much unison singing encourages quick learning and text clarity. An effective vocally rich second verse is noteworthy using oohs and a freely flowing tempo design. The last stanza opens up into a paean of gratitude with the handbells decorating the words Let the sounds of grateful people soar beyond these walls. Ring the bells from every steepleboldly singing forth this call Lord we thank You. Score and Part for Handbells (3 oct.) available as a digital download.

Uses: General ThanksgivingScripture: Psalm 140 James 1:17This specially commissioned piece is a canticle of thanks and a gentle reminder of the many blessings of God's almighty hand. A memorablemelodic gesture kindly lifts this message of gratitude making it an endearing addition to Thanksgiving services or anytime there is reflection on the goodness of the Lord. Memorable!

Herbert Howells (1892-1983) was an English composer and teacher who is perhaps best known for his choral music in the Anglican tradition most famously his voluminous settings of the evening canticles.Minuet was composed in 1945 for solo Bassoon with Piano accompaniment. It was written for the birthday of Hugh Crosthwaite an English academic and amateur bassoonist who was studying at that time at Cambridge where Howells was working as an acting Organist for the duration of the war. It is subtitled Grace for a Fresh Egg; i.e. a thanksgiving for what was a rarity in wartime Britain.