Music for Advent and Christmas
Organ Music by Marilyn Biery
Cold December Flies Away (Augsburg-Fortress 9780800679064, 2008)
Settings of ANTIOCH, CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM, CONSOLATION, EL DESEMBRE CONGELAT, and HUAN-SHA-CH'I
Organ Music by James Biery
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (MorningStar MSM-10-637, 2009) VIEW LISTEN
A fanfare, variations, and toccata on the Advent hymntune MERTON. Commissioned by and first performed at the 2009 Sewanee Church Music Conference at the University of the South.
O Sanctissima: A Carol Trio (Augsburg Fortress 9780800663902, 2009)
Settings of Still, Still, Still, What Is This Lovely Fragrance, and O Sanctissima. The extended setting of O Sanctissima, concluding with a brilliant toccata, was commissioned by Margaret Kemper, former national president of the American Guild of Organists.
The Holly and the Ivy: 6 Traditional Carols for Organ (MorningStar MSM-10-159, 2006) VIEW LISTEN
Settings of Good King Wenceslas, The Holly and the Ivy, Irish Carol, My Dancing Day, Rocking, and Patapan for organ solo (with very easy pedal parts)
Choral Music by Marilyn Biery
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.
Choral Music by James Biery
Surge inluminare (MorningStar MSM-50-9118) 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) VIEW LISTEN
2-part treble voices, oboe, harp (or keyboard) and opt. handbells
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)
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.
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
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
Hymn Arrangements for Brass and Organ by James Biery
Festive Hymn Settings for Congregational Singing, Set 3: Christmas (MorningStar MSM-20-752) VIEW
Settings of ADESTE FIDELES, MENDELSSOHN, REGENT SQUARE, ST. LOUIS, and STILLE NACHT for brass quartet, organ, optional soprano descant and opt. tuba. Also available for on-demand download on the MorningStar website.
Service Music by James Biery
Emmanuel Comes! A Service of the Word for Advent (MorningStar MSM-50-0050, 2005) VIEW LISTEN
Bring new meaning to the Advent season with this completely new sung service for the season. Set to texts by Marilyn Biery, all pieces include parts for leader, congregation, choir, two woodwinds, guitar, and both piano and organ accompaniments. Use the entire or service or individual pieces. Contains:
Listen to the Voice of Gladness, based on Isaiah 2:3-4, also suitable for use as an anthem
Advent Candle Song, a delightful canon to accompany the lighting of the candles of the Advent Wreath
The Prayers
Presentation of the Gifts
Rejoice, Rejoice!, based on Luke 3:1-6
Cold December Flies Away (Augsburg-Fortress 9780800679064, 2008)
Settings of ANTIOCH, CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM, CONSOLATION, EL DESEMBRE CONGELAT, and HUAN-SHA-CH'I
Organ Music by James Biery
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (MorningStar MSM-10-637, 2009) VIEW LISTEN
A fanfare, variations, and toccata on the Advent hymntune MERTON. Commissioned by and first performed at the 2009 Sewanee Church Music Conference at the University of the South.
O Sanctissima: A Carol Trio (Augsburg Fortress 9780800663902, 2009)
Settings of Still, Still, Still, What Is This Lovely Fragrance, and O Sanctissima. The extended setting of O Sanctissima, concluding with a brilliant toccata, was commissioned by Margaret Kemper, former national president of the American Guild of Organists.
The Holly and the Ivy: 6 Traditional Carols for Organ (MorningStar MSM-10-159, 2006) VIEW LISTEN
Settings of Good King Wenceslas, The Holly and the Ivy, Irish Carol, My Dancing Day, Rocking, and Patapan for organ solo (with very easy pedal parts)
Choral Music by Marilyn Biery
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.
Choral Music by James Biery
Surge inluminare (MorningStar MSM-50-9118) 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) VIEW LISTEN
2-part treble voices, oboe, harp (or keyboard) and opt. handbells
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)
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.
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
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
Hymn Arrangements for Brass and Organ by James Biery
Festive Hymn Settings for Congregational Singing, Set 3: Christmas (MorningStar MSM-20-752) VIEW
Settings of ADESTE FIDELES, MENDELSSOHN, REGENT SQUARE, ST. LOUIS, and STILLE NACHT for brass quartet, organ, optional soprano descant and opt. tuba. Also available for on-demand download on the MorningStar website.
Service Music by James Biery
Emmanuel Comes! A Service of the Word for Advent (MorningStar MSM-50-0050, 2005) VIEW LISTEN
Bring new meaning to the Advent season with this completely new sung service for the season. Set to texts by Marilyn Biery, all pieces include parts for leader, congregation, choir, two woodwinds, guitar, and both piano and organ accompaniments. Use the entire or service or individual pieces. Contains:
Listen to the Voice of Gladness, based on Isaiah 2:3-4, also suitable for use as an anthem
Advent Candle Song, a delightful canon to accompany the lighting of the candles of the Advent Wreath
The Prayers
Presentation of the Gifts
Rejoice, Rejoice!, based on Luke 3:1-6
