calling dramatists, singers, organists, musicians - anyone that knows church music.......

[HRHQueenOfQuelNoel]

and dramas please.

OK here's my dilema. Good Friday is 14 weeks tonight. Usually the "choir" puts on a performance - in previous years they've done Olivet de Calavary (sp?), and with me they've done Jerusalem Joy and Stainer's Crucifixtion.

On these occasions members of other choirs havecome and joined us - boosting our numbers up to around 40. However, this year our choir has depleted dramatically (I'm down to about 12 regulars - all Alto's and Soprano's - no men at all ) and I don't want people in the church to think the choir is doing "fine" by inviting other people in this year.

What I'm thinking of doing is an evening of anthems, hymns and shorts dramas (we've got some fabulous youngsters in the church who often do little sketches during the services and other events) based around Easter stuff. But I haven't got a clue where to start.

I need solos, duets, pieces for SA, or SSA, or SSAA?? with an Easter theme???? Also does anyone know of any short sketches or dramas (you know the 5 minute type ones (or perhaps slightly longer) that the young people could do (it's all in church so nothing that needs dramatic entrances or lots of scenery) also with an Easter theme???

Please help

hc your rutter suggs ver good - don't think I know the gaelic one tho.

I think you can justify all of those that I've suggested as being easter related, he certainly can't complain about the John Ireland I suggested:

It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God's own Son should come from heaven,
And die to save a child like me.

And yet I know that it is true:
He chose a poor and humble lot,
And wept, and toiled and mourned and died,
For love of those who love him not.

I sometimes think about the Cross,
And shut my eyes, and try to see
The cruel nails and crown of thorns,
And Jesus crucified for me.

But even could I see him die,
I should but see a little part
Of that great love, which, like a fire,
Is always burning in his heart.

And yet I want to love thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
And I will love thee more and more,
Until I see thee as thou art.

Pretty topical really!

Also my song is love unknown is Ireland, with the rousing verse

Sometimes they strew his way,
and his strong praises sing,
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.
Then "Crucify!"
is all their breath,
and for his death
they thirst and cry

Nothing useful to add, jut wanted to check that harpsichordcarrier meant not a dry eye in the house, rather than seat.

ooo - just found this while browsing (instead of cleaning ).

Just had a read through and each little one about each of the 'deadly sins' and misusing the name of the Lord. During each one (this is in case you can't be bothered to read through) Jesus is being nailed to the cross - and each one ends with

JESUS -- Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

ALL ---- (from offstage) Baaaaa. Baaaaa. Baaaaa.

JESUS -- Paid in full. (dies)

The baaa baaa baaa - is because it's about SHEEP being led astray. Do you reckon - if we did the entire thing - with Easter bits (some of your fab suggestions) in between each little one she (our Vicar's a woman ) could complain???

There seem to be quite a few Easter type dramas on the web so I'm sure you'll find something. If you could find a suitable drama you could intersperse it with bits and bobs of music - would be a really lovely service I reckon

Music wise (as drama and me aren't the best of friends!) what about something from Rachmaninov or Tchaikovsky arrangements of the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom? Most of this could easliy be done with female voices alone, it would be lovely.

other Easter music I've thought of:

This joyful Eastertide (there are loads of arrangements)
Now the green blade riseth (French trad. lots of arraangements)
"Christ the Lord is risen again" is the Easter hymn and there is a Rutter arrangement of this amongst others

then I googled (hm, I'll do anything to avoid doing housework!) and came up with a few things that sounded interesting:
Kenneth Leigton - An Easter Sequence - sounds nice, seems to be treble and organ
MATTHIAS Alleluia! Christ is risen!
RUDOLPH Jesus lives and Easter Hymn
SHAW Easter Anthems(Christ our Passover)
THOMAS Mary Magdalena at the tomb

Am also wondering if there's a Robert Shaw chorale sheet music thingy, as there's a CD with loads of Easter things on it

I Know that my Redeemer Liveth is def. Easter too, plus there are Tallis and Byrd anthems plus Victoria, but not sure if any of this is about for female voices only

georginars - I found that drama I linked to in my last post and it would work quite well with music in between each section.

I'll go through all the suggestions later tonight and make a note of them - then I'll have to pop over to church and go through the masses of (very) unorganised music in the choir vestry to see if any of it's in there. It's so bad in there - that I've not touched it since starting 3yrs ago!!!

yes sorry, I got a bit carried away and started suggesting loads! Good luck going through this thread....could take a while

have to say I didn't expect to get many responses - so am really chuffed I've got plenty of ideas to look at.

ooo just thought of a good one - that will please the 'oldies' in the church who think we should do either The Crucifixion or Olivet EVERY year..........

God So Loved the World - arrange for SA - sung as a duet

nope purpleturtle i meant seat
it's one of my party pieces so i should know...

Are the words of Pie Jesu (Faure) at all suitable for Good Friday?? Wasn't going to include it on my list of possibles, - but one of the girls in the choir (lovely voice) saw me looking through the music yesterday - spotted the Faure and begged me to let her sing it.........

The words of the Pie Jesu mean this:

Blessed Jesus, Lord I pray in thy mercy grant them rest
Grant them everlasting rest

so it's up to you whether that's suitable or not! It is beautiful though, I can quite understand why she's desperate to sing it!

hmm - guess I could sneak it in - it would be impressive and she's got a stunning voice (but bet her best friend will be "well p*ssed off" for letting her do it) - said best friend also has a fabulous voice LOL.

when I was at university we sang the Faure Requiem in Durham Catherdral for a memorial service for one of our lecturers who died - there wasn't a dry eye (or seat!) in the place. I absolutely love it

It seems to be sung a lot at Easter in churches so I think it would be absolutely fine for Good Friday

just trying to make sureI don't fall into the trap of making it all 'mellow' stuff - but the Faure is in then