The New Church Anthem Book: One Hundred Anthems [Paperback]

Lionel Dakers (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1995

A definitive collection of 100 anthems from Tudor times to the present, this book includes favorites as well as lesser-known pieces. The anthems were selected for their practical usefulness for church choirs today, bearing in mind the needs of smaller choirs: the anthems are mostly for SATB with or without keyboard accompaniments.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A classic of its type, a model of compositional excellence, a good buy, and a treasury of important repertoire for fledgling choral libraries.' Worship (USA)

'This well-chosen and well-presented collection of anthems must be an investment to be seriously considered.' The Bulletin of the Church Music Society of the Methodist Church (USA)

`In short, The New Church Anthem Book is a resource that a choir can use Sunday after Sunday throughout the year.' Choral Journal

'The new book is beautifully produced and clearly printed, with sensible accompaniments and authoritative editing.' Martin Neary, Church Times

`The printing and editing are up to Oxford's usual high standards, and the volume would stand up to heavy repeated use. It is also very user-friendly . . . It is of course an excellent general collection for choirs and a superb reference book for directors.' USA Association of Anglican Musicians' Journal

`A beautiful book of some 578 pages which represents a valuable reference source for church musicians . . . The presentation of individual anthems is exemplary.' Choral Guild Letters

'Having all of these under one cover strikes me as a fine thing, especially when I consider how often these staple anthems become so worn and tattered over the years; this volume offers a one-time replacement of them in uniform editions with Oxford's high standards of clear music production . . . Dakers and Oxford University Press deserve our great thanks and high praise for this magnificently conceived and usefully produced collection.' The Journal of the Association of Anglian Musicians (USA)

`Handsomely hard-bound and beautifully printed on acid-free paper . . . Its presentation and editorial practice are exemplary. I can't think of an organist or choir director who would not fall in love with it at first sight and want to own it.' Victorian Organ Journal

`This is a wonderful compilation of materials . . . Highly recommended to those choirs wanting to build an immediate repertoire of standards and useful anthems . . . These settings will carry most choirs through several years of material. Excellent!' Diapason

About the Author

Lionel Dakers was born in Rochester, Kent, in 1924, and died in 2003. He was Director of the Royal School of Church Music from 1972 until 1989 and enjoyed an international reputation as an ambassador for excellence in church music. He was also for more than 30 years an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music. He was awarded a Lambeth Doctorate in Music in 1979, became a Fellow of the Royal College of Music in 1980 and was appointed CBE in 1983.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 19, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0193531097
• ISBN-13: 978-0193531093
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #693,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent collection of Anthems, May 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The New Church Anthem Book: One Hundred Anthems (Paperback)

This is an outstanding collections of very beautiful anthems. It has varying in levels of difficulty. In addition the music is not only in English. An easy to read text (musically) that combines the ablitiy to hold it and sing and a very wide range of music. The book contains wonderful pieces by Palestrina, Purcell, S.S. Wesley, Mozart and even Tchaikovsky. This is a book that will get much use and never be boring, for the singer, congregation and or audience, and musical director. A book with endless possibilities and variety. A truly wonderful work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it! Great music and a great deal., January 9, 2008

By 

Mark C. Austin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Church Anthem Book: One Hundred Anthems (Paperback)

This is a stunning collection of all that is best from the Anglican literature, but suitable for many denominations. The music ranges from the tudor tradition to 20th century pieces. The best thing about the book is that 90% of them are excellent and useable. Even if you don't use several of them, the cost is only about 25 cents an octavo. I've used this and the former edition with my choirs since 1983. It's also nicely indexed by composer, and liturgical season. Definately a choral library in one book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anthems that are used weekly, March 10, 2011

By 

MamaSuzi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Church Anthem Book: One Hundred Anthems (Paperback)

What a wonderful collection of Anthems! As a member of a choir in the Episcopal Church we use this book weekly - and no one is ever disappointed in the selections. The songs are easy to master and are high church material.