Choral Music
Choral Music by Marilyn Biery
A Little Child Shall Lead Them (Augsburg Fortress 9780806695914, 2009)
Unison voices, organ, violin or oboe, and optional congregation
Composed for and premiered at the Cathedral of Saint Paul Hymn Festival for the 2009 Hymn Society Conference, Marilyn has written a new text based on Isaiah 11:6-9 for Mark Sedio's tune BETHOLD and created a delightful new arrangement featuring children's voices.
Night of Silence (GIA Publications, Inc. G-5622, 2001)
An arrangement of Daniel Kantor's Night of Silence, for SATB choir, organ and optional oboe. Kantor's original 1984 melody was written to be sung simultaneously with Silent Night.
Gentle Grace (Alliance Publications, Inc. AP-1239, 1999)
An a cappella anthem for SATB choir/Soprano Solo based on the Early American tune TENDER THOUGHT, featuring an original text by Marilyn.
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray (MorningStar MSM-50-8830, 1996)
"Marilyn Biery's a cappella arrangement of a favorite Spiritual is set for SATB choir and a medium-voice soloist. The music, sung in the style of call and response, is vocally accessible for all groups, so if your choir doesn't get many opportunities to sing a cappella, this is a wonderful teaching piece in which they can concentrate on unified vowels, rhythms, and blend." (The Best Choral Guide, Carl Fischer of Chicago 1996-97)
Choral Music by James Biery
The Lord Will Reign For Ever (MorningStar MSM-50-8920, 2011) VIEW LISTEN
SATB Choir, Trumpet, and Organ
Commissioned by the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia, where Richard Gibala is Director of Music, this piece is a festive anthem on Christ the King texts.
Easter Rejoicing (MorningStar MSM-50-8205, 2011) VIEW LISTEN
SATB Choir, organ, and trumpet
Commissioned by St. Mary's Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Mary Joy Rieder directs the music and plays the organ, Easter Rejoicing is a festive anthem for Easter Sunday.
O Savior, Blessed Savior (Adoro te devote) (MorningStar MSM-50-5115, 2010) VIEW LISTEN
SATB Choir, unaccompanied or with optional Handbells and/or C Instrument
A new arrangement of the beloved chant melody Adoro te devote commissioned by St. Anne Catholic Church, Houston, Texas, for their 2007 Pilgrimage to Eastern Europe. May be sung using the original Latin text or the wonderful English text by Godfrey Thring.
Behold, a New Creation (MorningStar MSM-80-580, 2010) VIEW LISTEN
Cantor, Congregation, and Organ, with opt. SAB Choir, 2 woodwinds, or Brass Quartet and Timpani
A festive processional piece commissioned by three parishes in Florida in celebration of the Year of St. Paul, 2008-2009, using texts from 2 Cor. 5:17 and Eph. 1:3-10.
Two Motets for Worship (MorningStar MSM-50-2518, 2010) VIEW LISTEN
SATB unaccompanied
These two short motets are settings of the traditional Catholic benediction hymns "O Salutaris" and "Tantum ergo" and were commissioned by St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church in Augusta, Georgia. For this edition, alternate English texts were provided: "O rise and sing" and "Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing."
An Old Irish Blessing (MorningStar MSM-50-8913, 2009) VIEW LISTEN
Unison voices and piano (or keyboard)
A simple and lovely setting of the traditional Irish blessing, "May the road rise to meet you..." Suitable for choirs of all ages. An organ accompaniment is available in Jim's collection of vocal solos, "The Peace of Christ."
Sing Praises to God (MorningStar MSM-50-2603, 2009) VIEW LISTEN (performance by the Cathedral of St. Paul Choir with Martin Hodel, trumpet, and Marilyn Biery, organ)
SATB, Trumpet, and Organ
A festive anthem for Ascension or general use. Commissioned by Michael Silhavy for the Church of St. William in Fridley, Minnesota.
Surge inluminare (MorningStar MSM-50-9118, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and harp (or piano)
English text by Marilyn Biery, Latin text by Maryann Corbett
O Come, Divine Messiah (MorningStar MSM-50-6308, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
2-part treble voices, oboe, harp (or keyboard) and opt. handbells
The Frozen Earth (MorningStar MSM-50-5302, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and Organ
Text by Marilyn Biery
Love Is Come Again (MorningStar MSM-50-6205, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
Unison or Two-part Treble Voice and Keyboard (Optional treble instrument)
A setting of NOEL NOUVELET
Yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord (MorningStar MSM-50-7101, 2007) VIEW LISTEN
SATB, Organ, Cello or Viola, opt. Oboe
Text from Habakkuk 3; commissioned by St. John's Episcopal Church, Florence, SC
The Beatitudes (MorningStar MSM-50-7100, 2007) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and Organ
Text by Marilyn Biery
The Peace of Christ (MorningStar MSM-50-6065, 2006) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and keyboard, opt. Flute, Oboe, or Violin
Text by Marilyn Biery, inspired by Colossians 3:12-17
The Lord Is My Shepherd (MorningStar MSM-50-6057, 2005) VIEW LISTEN
Unison Treble Choir or Soloist and SATB a cappella
Text by Marilyn Biery
Ubi Caritas (MorningStar MSM-50-3055, 2005) VIEW LISTEN
SATB a cappella
Commissioned by St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, Augusta, Georgia, Alvin Blount, Director of Music.
O Holy Night (GIA Publications, Inc. G-6184, 2004)
SATB, Harp or Piano, opt. Flute, Oboe, Strings, Guitar, Organ (Full Score with Parts G-6184INST; Guitar edition G-6184G; Solo edition with lyrics in English and French G-6184SOLO) Recorded on "Catholic Christmas Classics" GIA CD-590
A practical new arrangement of Adolphe Adam's Christmas favorite for SATB choir with optional soloist and optional parts for two woodwinds, strings, harp, organ, and guitar. Adaptable to almost any situation.
Stir Up Thy Power, O Lord (MorningStar MSM-50-0208, 2003)
Unison, Two-Part Mixed, or SAB and organ
An English-style setting of the Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent from the Book of Common Prayer.
A Song of Devotion (Ave Maria) (Boosey & Hawkes, M-051-47452-3, 2003)
SATB a cappella
James Biery's second setting of the traditional 13th century Ave Maria text alternates between undulating motion and homophonic simplicity while hovering around a pedal-point G. Each of the two main sections of Song of Devotion unveils these two contrasting ideas. Composed for the Cathedral Choir at the Cathedral of St. Paul in 1999.
Ave Maria (MorningStar MSM 80-076, 2000) LISTEN
SATB a cappella; commissioned by St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, Augusta, Georgia, Alvin R. Blount, Director of Music
"Three pages of beautiful SATB a cappella writing make this a wonderful addition to the many good settings of this beloved text. If you're looking for a new sound to express an old text, this one deserves your attention." (Pastoral Music)
Word of God, Eternal (MorningStar MSM 50-9456)
SA (divides to 3 parts), organ, opt. Horn; commissioned by the choir of Calvary Lutheran Church, Edina, Minnesota, Scott Rohr, Director; text from Hebrews 13:8 and the 9th cent. Hymn, "Only Begotten, Word of God Eternal"
The Waters of Life (Augsburg-Fortress 11-10902, 1998)
SATB and organ; composed at the request of the editors for Augsburg's landmark collection The Augsburg Choirbook.
"This Pentecost/Baptismal anthem confirms that not only is Biery liturgically attuned, an organist of great facility who understands the workings of the voice, but he also possesses the compositional skills to put it all together. In this case, the 'call of God' and the 'love of the Holy Spirit' hover melodiously over rippling torrents (cleansing water) in the organ. The text is an ICEL translation of an 'Ancient Christian Hymn.'" (Bret Heim, CrossAccent, January 1999)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (MorningStar MSM-50-1057, 1996)
A setting of a lovely forgotten carol tune composed by 19th century composer Joseph Barnby. The sensitive English-style arrangement and the thoughtful words by Phillips Brooks combine to make a beautiful meditative Christmas anthem. Not difficult but rewarding for both choir and listeners.
O Blessed Mary (OCP 10135, 1996)
2-part, keyboard, guitar, opt. 2 vln. or 2 woodwinds; text by Marilyn Biery
Christ, the Solid Rock (MorningStar MSM-50-8810, 1995)
SATB, organ; commissioned by The United Church of Christ in Keene, Keene, New Hampshire; a hymn-anthem on an original hymn-tune setting of "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less"
O Sacrum Convivium (MorningStar MSM-50-8311, 1995)
"The crowning work in this installment of reviews is James Biery's powerfully moving motet O Sacrum Convivium. The motet unfolds in excruciatingly slow fashion from a quiet pedal point in the bass. The remaining voices join first at the unison, the almost imperceptibly, begin to edge upward in parallel triads over the pedal point, the range and dynamics rising until an anguished cry splits the air. Then…breathtaking silence!
The process begins again, building to an even more dramatic climax at Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, then quietly dissolves as it began. The piece has a stunning sense of mystery, the result, in part of tension between a sense of where things are heading but being in no real hurry to get there. Biery has also discovered a rare commodity and used it well - silence." (Bret Heim, Grace Notes)
Magnificat (MorningStar MSM-80-780, 1995)
SATB, organ; commissioned by and composed for the Youth Choir of First United Church of Christ, Milford, Connecticut, and the Westminster Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Nunc Dimittis (MorningStar MSM-80-781, 1995)
SATB, organ; commissioned by and composed for the Youth Choir of First United Church of Christ, Milford, Connecticut, and the Westminster Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Give Us Grace (GIA G-3465, 1991)
SAB, organ; text by Reinhold Niebuhr, the famous "Serenity Prayer"
Love Divine (GIA G-3281, 1989)
SATB choir and organ; text by Charles Wesley
Jesus, Tiny Child (GIA-3282, 1990)
A Christmas Carol for SATB choir, soloist, and flute or oboe; opt. orchestration for strings; text by Marilyn Biery
I Rejoice in the Lord (GIA G-3184, 1988)
SATB, keyboard, guitar, opt. parts for strings; text from Isaiah 61:1-2,10
Prayer for Peace (GIA G-3183, 1988)
SATB choir, keyboard, opt. violin; text by St. Francis of Assisi
A Little Child Shall Lead Them (Augsburg Fortress 9780806695914, 2009)
Unison voices, organ, violin or oboe, and optional congregation
Composed for and premiered at the Cathedral of Saint Paul Hymn Festival for the 2009 Hymn Society Conference, Marilyn has written a new text based on Isaiah 11:6-9 for Mark Sedio's tune BETHOLD and created a delightful new arrangement featuring children's voices.
Night of Silence (GIA Publications, Inc. G-5622, 2001)
An arrangement of Daniel Kantor's Night of Silence, for SATB choir, organ and optional oboe. Kantor's original 1984 melody was written to be sung simultaneously with Silent Night.
Gentle Grace (Alliance Publications, Inc. AP-1239, 1999)
An a cappella anthem for SATB choir/Soprano Solo based on the Early American tune TENDER THOUGHT, featuring an original text by Marilyn.
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray (MorningStar MSM-50-8830, 1996)
"Marilyn Biery's a cappella arrangement of a favorite Spiritual is set for SATB choir and a medium-voice soloist. The music, sung in the style of call and response, is vocally accessible for all groups, so if your choir doesn't get many opportunities to sing a cappella, this is a wonderful teaching piece in which they can concentrate on unified vowels, rhythms, and blend." (The Best Choral Guide, Carl Fischer of Chicago 1996-97)
Choral Music by James Biery
The Lord Will Reign For Ever (MorningStar MSM-50-8920, 2011) VIEW LISTEN
SATB Choir, Trumpet, and Organ
Commissioned by the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia, where Richard Gibala is Director of Music, this piece is a festive anthem on Christ the King texts.
Easter Rejoicing (MorningStar MSM-50-8205, 2011) VIEW LISTEN
SATB Choir, organ, and trumpet
Commissioned by St. Mary's Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Mary Joy Rieder directs the music and plays the organ, Easter Rejoicing is a festive anthem for Easter Sunday.
O Savior, Blessed Savior (Adoro te devote) (MorningStar MSM-50-5115, 2010) VIEW LISTEN
SATB Choir, unaccompanied or with optional Handbells and/or C Instrument
A new arrangement of the beloved chant melody Adoro te devote commissioned by St. Anne Catholic Church, Houston, Texas, for their 2007 Pilgrimage to Eastern Europe. May be sung using the original Latin text or the wonderful English text by Godfrey Thring.
Behold, a New Creation (MorningStar MSM-80-580, 2010) VIEW LISTEN
Cantor, Congregation, and Organ, with opt. SAB Choir, 2 woodwinds, or Brass Quartet and Timpani
A festive processional piece commissioned by three parishes in Florida in celebration of the Year of St. Paul, 2008-2009, using texts from 2 Cor. 5:17 and Eph. 1:3-10.
Two Motets for Worship (MorningStar MSM-50-2518, 2010) VIEW LISTEN
SATB unaccompanied
These two short motets are settings of the traditional Catholic benediction hymns "O Salutaris" and "Tantum ergo" and were commissioned by St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church in Augusta, Georgia. For this edition, alternate English texts were provided: "O rise and sing" and "Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing."
An Old Irish Blessing (MorningStar MSM-50-8913, 2009) VIEW LISTEN
Unison voices and piano (or keyboard)
A simple and lovely setting of the traditional Irish blessing, "May the road rise to meet you..." Suitable for choirs of all ages. An organ accompaniment is available in Jim's collection of vocal solos, "The Peace of Christ."
Sing Praises to God (MorningStar MSM-50-2603, 2009) VIEW LISTEN (performance by the Cathedral of St. Paul Choir with Martin Hodel, trumpet, and Marilyn Biery, organ)
SATB, Trumpet, and Organ
A festive anthem for Ascension or general use. Commissioned by Michael Silhavy for the Church of St. William in Fridley, Minnesota.
Surge inluminare (MorningStar MSM-50-9118, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and harp (or piano)
English text by Marilyn Biery, Latin text by Maryann Corbett
O Come, Divine Messiah (MorningStar MSM-50-6308, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
2-part treble voices, oboe, harp (or keyboard) and opt. handbells
The Frozen Earth (MorningStar MSM-50-5302, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and Organ
Text by Marilyn Biery
Love Is Come Again (MorningStar MSM-50-6205, 2008) VIEW LISTEN
Unison or Two-part Treble Voice and Keyboard (Optional treble instrument)
A setting of NOEL NOUVELET
Yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord (MorningStar MSM-50-7101, 2007) VIEW LISTEN
SATB, Organ, Cello or Viola, opt. Oboe
Text from Habakkuk 3; commissioned by St. John's Episcopal Church, Florence, SC
The Beatitudes (MorningStar MSM-50-7100, 2007) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and Organ
Text by Marilyn Biery
The Peace of Christ (MorningStar MSM-50-6065, 2006) VIEW LISTEN
SATB and keyboard, opt. Flute, Oboe, or Violin
Text by Marilyn Biery, inspired by Colossians 3:12-17
The Lord Is My Shepherd (MorningStar MSM-50-6057, 2005) VIEW LISTEN
Unison Treble Choir or Soloist and SATB a cappella
Text by Marilyn Biery
Ubi Caritas (MorningStar MSM-50-3055, 2005) VIEW LISTEN
SATB a cappella
Commissioned by St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, Augusta, Georgia, Alvin Blount, Director of Music.
O Holy Night (GIA Publications, Inc. G-6184, 2004)
SATB, Harp or Piano, opt. Flute, Oboe, Strings, Guitar, Organ (Full Score with Parts G-6184INST; Guitar edition G-6184G; Solo edition with lyrics in English and French G-6184SOLO) Recorded on "Catholic Christmas Classics" GIA CD-590
A practical new arrangement of Adolphe Adam's Christmas favorite for SATB choir with optional soloist and optional parts for two woodwinds, strings, harp, organ, and guitar. Adaptable to almost any situation.
Stir Up Thy Power, O Lord (MorningStar MSM-50-0208, 2003)
Unison, Two-Part Mixed, or SAB and organ
An English-style setting of the Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent from the Book of Common Prayer.
A Song of Devotion (Ave Maria) (Boosey & Hawkes, M-051-47452-3, 2003)
SATB a cappella
James Biery's second setting of the traditional 13th century Ave Maria text alternates between undulating motion and homophonic simplicity while hovering around a pedal-point G. Each of the two main sections of Song of Devotion unveils these two contrasting ideas. Composed for the Cathedral Choir at the Cathedral of St. Paul in 1999.
Ave Maria (MorningStar MSM 80-076, 2000) LISTEN
SATB a cappella; commissioned by St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, Augusta, Georgia, Alvin R. Blount, Director of Music
"Three pages of beautiful SATB a cappella writing make this a wonderful addition to the many good settings of this beloved text. If you're looking for a new sound to express an old text, this one deserves your attention." (Pastoral Music)
Word of God, Eternal (MorningStar MSM 50-9456)
SA (divides to 3 parts), organ, opt. Horn; commissioned by the choir of Calvary Lutheran Church, Edina, Minnesota, Scott Rohr, Director; text from Hebrews 13:8 and the 9th cent. Hymn, "Only Begotten, Word of God Eternal"
The Waters of Life (Augsburg-Fortress 11-10902, 1998)
SATB and organ; composed at the request of the editors for Augsburg's landmark collection The Augsburg Choirbook.
"This Pentecost/Baptismal anthem confirms that not only is Biery liturgically attuned, an organist of great facility who understands the workings of the voice, but he also possesses the compositional skills to put it all together. In this case, the 'call of God' and the 'love of the Holy Spirit' hover melodiously over rippling torrents (cleansing water) in the organ. The text is an ICEL translation of an 'Ancient Christian Hymn.'" (Bret Heim, CrossAccent, January 1999)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (MorningStar MSM-50-1057, 1996)
A setting of a lovely forgotten carol tune composed by 19th century composer Joseph Barnby. The sensitive English-style arrangement and the thoughtful words by Phillips Brooks combine to make a beautiful meditative Christmas anthem. Not difficult but rewarding for both choir and listeners.
O Blessed Mary (OCP 10135, 1996)
2-part, keyboard, guitar, opt. 2 vln. or 2 woodwinds; text by Marilyn Biery
Christ, the Solid Rock (MorningStar MSM-50-8810, 1995)
SATB, organ; commissioned by The United Church of Christ in Keene, Keene, New Hampshire; a hymn-anthem on an original hymn-tune setting of "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less"
O Sacrum Convivium (MorningStar MSM-50-8311, 1995)
"The crowning work in this installment of reviews is James Biery's powerfully moving motet O Sacrum Convivium. The motet unfolds in excruciatingly slow fashion from a quiet pedal point in the bass. The remaining voices join first at the unison, the almost imperceptibly, begin to edge upward in parallel triads over the pedal point, the range and dynamics rising until an anguished cry splits the air. Then…breathtaking silence!
The process begins again, building to an even more dramatic climax at Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, then quietly dissolves as it began. The piece has a stunning sense of mystery, the result, in part of tension between a sense of where things are heading but being in no real hurry to get there. Biery has also discovered a rare commodity and used it well - silence." (Bret Heim, Grace Notes)
Magnificat (MorningStar MSM-80-780, 1995)
SATB, organ; commissioned by and composed for the Youth Choir of First United Church of Christ, Milford, Connecticut, and the Westminster Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Nunc Dimittis (MorningStar MSM-80-781, 1995)
SATB, organ; commissioned by and composed for the Youth Choir of First United Church of Christ, Milford, Connecticut, and the Westminster Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Give Us Grace (GIA G-3465, 1991)
SAB, organ; text by Reinhold Niebuhr, the famous "Serenity Prayer"
Love Divine (GIA G-3281, 1989)
SATB choir and organ; text by Charles Wesley
Jesus, Tiny Child (GIA-3282, 1990)
A Christmas Carol for SATB choir, soloist, and flute or oboe; opt. orchestration for strings; text by Marilyn Biery
I Rejoice in the Lord (GIA G-3184, 1988)
SATB, keyboard, guitar, opt. parts for strings; text from Isaiah 61:1-2,10
Prayer for Peace (GIA G-3183, 1988)
SATB choir, keyboard, opt. violin; text by St. Francis of Assisi
