Discover the right music for your choir with help from the Choral Review Service. Highlighting songs of varying difficulty, instrumentation and style, the Choral Review Service will introduce you to inspiring, seasonal choral works from respected liturgical composers three times per year. Below are just a few examples of the music within the Winter 2026 edition with titles for general use and Ordinary Time, plus a detailed description and insight on how to use each piece.
I Am the Good Shepherd
Luke Mayernik
Difficulty level: Medium
Voicing: Soloists, SATB
Instrumentation: Piano, Flute
This atmospheric meditation on the topic of Christ as the Good Shepherd is ideal for use on the Fourth Sunday of Easter but could be used in any liturgy that wishes to focus on the rich, enfolding love of God for us. Ostinato effects, planing harmonies, and added-note chords enhance a mantra- like dialog between the SATB chorus (repeated “I am” motif) and a soloist/duet/trio (“I am the Good Shepherd”). In addition to the piano accompaniment, the included flute part, evocative of a pan pipe, ties into the pastoral topic, often echoing—as if at a distance, lontano—the soloists’ melody.
May We Always Show Your Face
Christian Cosas
Difficulty level: Easy
Voicing: Two-part Choir
Instrumentation: Piano, Guitar, Cello
This setting is accessible while still providing rich musical interest, oscillating between the Lydian mode and harmony borrowed from the parallel minor key. This tonal shading matches the two-part nature of the text’s couplets: The upward Lydian-inflected melodic motion accompanies the plea for God to always show his face to us, which is answered by downward scalar motion grounding the message that we, in turn, should always reflect God’s love to others. This subtle, yet poignant, text painting underscores the call to truly embody the love of the Heavenly Father in our everyday, earthly lives.
O God of Love, O King of Peace
Robert G. Farrell
Difficulty level: Medium
Voicing: SATB
Instrumentation: Organ
“O God of Love, O King of Peace” is a timeless hymn that encapsulates the essence of faith, trust, and serenity. This SATB arrangement, accompanied by organ, is a heartfelt prayer that resonates with believers across generations. Great for those in need of comfort, peace, and trust.
Panis Angelicus (Bread of Angels)
Alvez Barkoskie IV
Difficulty level: Easy/Medium
Voicing: SSA a cappella
This setting for a cappella SSA choir starts freely with the unison Latin chant, but quickly expands to a harmonically lush, metric presentation of Aquinas’s classic text. Of medium difficulty, but lasting only about two minutes, this would be ideal as a post-Communion anthem.
Set Me as a Seal
Howard Helvey
Difficulty level: Medium
Voicing: SATB a cappella
Shifting meters that accommodate the speech patterns of the text and a tendency to dwell on the subdominant side of the harmonic spectrum give this piece an expansive, natural feel. Despite being entirely diatonic (no accidentals at all), Helvey’s use of added note harmonies and expressive suspensions gives the piece a rich, sophisticated texture that sounds more difficult than it actually is. “Set Me as a Seal” is an obvious choice for weddings but also suitable for observances of National or World Marriage Week or anytime the readings focus on love and unity.
Bless the Lord
Tony Ward
Difficulty level: Easy/Medium
Voicing: Two-part Choir, Descant
Instrumentation: Piano, Guitar, Flute
This features a special collaborative text written by the composer and parishioners from Saint Noel Parish, collated from discussions and responses to Psalm 103 and then set to the familiar hymn tune NETTLETON. The two-part choral arrangement can be enhanced by a descant, flute, and a separately-available handbell part
Blessed (The Beatitudes)
Tony E. Alonso
Difficulty level: Easy/Medium
Voicing: SAB, Cantor
Instrumentation: Keyboard, Guitar, Solo Instrument
The Beatitudes contain the essence of Christian teaching and are beautifully represented here in Alonso’s new setting. With its three verses for cantor (or unison choir) and easily learned assembly refrain (with SAB choral reinforcement), this will be a welcome addition to the feast of All Saints, or any other liturgy that deals with topics of Christian life, discipleship, eternal life, justice, the Kingdom of God, and comfort.
Everyday God
Bernadette Farrell
Difficulty level: Easy/Medium
Voicing: Cantor, Unison
Instrumentation: Organ, Piano, Guitar, Penny Whistle, Flute, Bassoon
This litany reminds us that the Spirit of God is in the midst of every moment, occasion, and experience. Our Triune God is present in the struggles, aspirations, and celebrations of all people. At its core, this is a simple call-and-response song, but the eleven verses can be dressed up or down in various ways: with the independent but mutually compatible accompaniments for organ and piano, with guitar alone, or with various combinations of the three included solo instrument parts.
Build My Church
Lorraine Hess
Difficulty level: Piano, Guitar
Voicing: Three-part
Instrumentation: Easy/Medium
Inspired by Christ’s message to St. Francis of Assisi to “rebuild my Church,” this piece reminds us that renewal begins with lives rooted in Christian virtue with text highlighting the Church as a community of people caring for one another. The gentle accompaniment and simple melody allow the text to shine and encourages assembly participation. Focusing on themes of forgiveness, love of God and others, mercy, peace, social concern, and welcome, it is especially fitting for the dedication of a church
Send Us, O God/Envíanos al Mundo
Santiago Fernández and Jesse Manibusan
Difficulty level: Easy/Medium
Voicing: Three-part
Instrumentation: Keyboard, Guitar
This sending forth song from OCP’s missals is now available as a stand-alone octavo. Inspired by Isaiah 6:8, it calls Christians to live out God’s mercy, justice, love, and peace. The bilingual setting highlights unity across cultures, and features a memorable melody and approachable easy/medium arrangement.
Explore more music from this season's edition
Choral Review Service
These songs can be found in Choral Packet 113 from the Choral Review Service. Offering music for traditional and contemporary choirs, children’s voices and intercultural ensembles, the Choral Review Service is the best way to find something new for your choir and community.