SATB sacred

And Now, O Father
SATB & piano (organ), Jubilate H. W. Gray 39156 (Alfred)
A flowing, serene anthem on a wonderful text by William Bright:  And now, O Father, mindful of the love. The anthem features pairings of upper and lower voices and gentle counterpoint that is quite accessible and well supported by the piano accompaniment.  For general use through the church year.  See score & listen ChoralTracks

As a Tree
SATB a cappella, Augsburg Fortress 978-1-5064-1381-5
An accessible a cappella work full of lyricism and expressive harmonies. The beautiful and inspiring text by Michael Morris is based on Psalm 1 and implores us all to “be like a tree firmly planted which yields its fruit and prospers.” See score & listen  YouTube

Be Exalted, O God 
SATB, organ, optional flute, 2 trumpets, handbells, Roger Dean 10/2359R-3.
This Psalm anthem was commissioned by Rideau Park United Church, Ottawa in honour of organist Dianne Ferguson. A rewarding anthem that is flexible in the instrumentation. Optional part for children’s chorus can be sung by unison sopranos or a soloist. See score

The Blessing of Light
SATB & piano (or organ), Pavane Music P1614
It was time for a new piece to serve as the concert closer and this is it. Selected for the Mike Scheibe Choral Series, this benediction uses the text of an ancient Scottish blessing that is delightfully generic in nature. Warm, deep and melodic, this is a benediction that can be used anywhere – church, school, college, community.  See score & listen YouTube or YouTube

Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
SATB & organ, Augsburg Fortress 9781506486451
Writing new music set to a familiar Charles Wesley text, Mark Sirett once again shows his mastery of beautiful melodic writing mixed with rich harmonic textures. The work was commissioned by Grace United Church, Dartmouth NS in honour of organist/choirmaster Malcolm Bradley. A sweeping and grand anthem with an organ accompaniment to match, it is perfect throughout the year as a general anthem of praise.  See the score

The Clouded Heaven
SATB a cappella, Walton Music WW1867
This exquisite and gratifying a cappella work expresses a sudden clarity of purpose in life’s journey. It was commissioned by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, William Maddox, Organist and Music Director, and sung during their residency at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The universal search for enlightenment expressed in the text is appropriate any time of the year, but particularly Christmas and Epiphany.
See score & listen YouTube

Eternal God
SATB a cappella
Commissioned by St. George’s Anglican Church, Guelph, ON in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the parish.  For further information and perusal copy contact the composer.  YouTube

Hold On (To What is Good)
SATB a cappella Boosey & Hawkes HL 1000125647
This inspirational, prayerful and moving a cappella work is based on an ancient Pueblo First Nations Prayer that encourages us to hold on to what is good–nature, friendship, faith. A powerful statement of encouragement and hope. Available for digital download. See score & listen YouTube or YouTube

The Hour of Banquet and Song 
SATB a cappella, Roger Dean 10/2090R
Inspired by plainsong, this communion anthem was composed for Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto, William Maddox, director. The flowing counterpoint builds to a wonderful climax that gradually fades to a gentle, reflective conclusion. See score

Immortal Love
SATB, piano or organ, Augsburg Fortress ED015041
This gorgeous setting of Whittier’s text is hypnotic. Lush harmonies and flowing lines make this a memorable and inspiring anthem.
See score & listen

It is Good to Give Thanks
SATB & organ, Roger Dean  10/3939R
“It is good to give thanks to God, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness every night!” These wonderful words of praise set the stage for award-winning Canadian composer Mark Sirett’s exciting work of celebration. Written for “divisi” choir and organ, this song of Thanksgiving and celebration will become a standard in your library.  See score

Jesus, Your Boundless Love
SATB & organ, Royal Canadian College of Organists, RCCO-011
A hymn-anthem on the wonderful words by Paul Gerhardt translated by John Wesley.  Commissioned by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ottawa ON, Karen Holmes, Organist and Music Director, in memory of William Hartwick.  Listen

Let Us Love One Another
SATB & piano (organ) Augsburg/Fortress, 9781506463612
Appropriate for any lectionary day about love, Mark Sirett’s setting of this well-known text from 1 John features beautiful, lyrical part-writing and a flowing accompaniment. This anthem connects God’s love for us as the reason and cause for our striving to love one another. See score & listen YouTube

Make a Joyful Noise (Bwana Asifiwe)
SATB & organ or piano (optional African percussion)  Cypress Choral Music KH 064
This African inspired setting of Psalm 100 is easy and full of great joy was  written in honour of the late Kenneth Inkster and the Summer Institute of Church Music.  Listen ChoralTracks

new release 2024 May You Heal
SATB, piano & cello (optional) Hal Leonard HL 00396766
SSA, piano & cello (optional) Hal Leonard HL 01302037
TTBB, piano & cello (optional) Hal Leonard HL HL 01302038
This is the centerpiece of the May You Heal Project, a series of five short choral works that have been written and recorded during the pandemic. The project offers music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. In this piece, Mark captures the essence of the text in a poignant, contemplative choral setting.  See score & listen ChoralTracks

O Sons and Daughters
SATB, organ & trumpet, Sacred Music Press 1 0/2013S
This Easter anthem has been featured twice on the nationally telecast CBC Easter Morning Sunrise Service. It is a verse anthem on the traditional Latin tune “O filii et filliae.” Contrasting verses building to a colourful “Alleluia” conclusion. See score YouTube

Praise to God
SATB & organ, Canadian International CIM1005
This is a simple anthem suitable for harvest, or any service of thanksgiving. The choral and organ parts are easy. The traditional “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” appears as a descent in the final verse. An anthem that works especially well for a small choir. See score YouTube

Responsibility
SATB & piano, Hal Leonard 00357218
Jewish leader and scholar, Hillel the Elder, captures the tension between the need for healthy self-care and the importance of caring for others. Canadian composer Mark Sirett combines the ancient Hebrew text with modern English to create an elegant and folk-like setting.  See score & listen

Shout to God for Joy
SATB, organ & trumpet, Roger Dean 10/2510R
Written for Woodroffe United Church, Ottawa this brief anthem of celebration is full of vitality. The choral writing is accessible and is complimented by a spirited organ part.  See score  Listen

new release 2024 Song Forever New
SAB & keyboard, Cypress Music CP 2352 
Written especially with smaller church choirs in mind, this easy sacred anthem for SAB voices is a joyous song of praise and thanksgiving.  The accompaniment is appropriate for either piano or organ. See & listen

Steal Away
SATB & piano from the collection Hallelujah–Gospels and Spirituals for Mixed Choir published by Carus. Available separately. See score Listen YouTube

Things That Never Die
SATB and piano,  Boosey & Hawkes M051-48093-7
Canadian composer Mark Sirett has set the inspirational Charles Dickens text in a simple and effective style. With a flowing and independent piano accompaniment, the singers paint the text with descriptive lines ending each verse with the powerful exclamation ‘These things can never die’.   Wind quintet and piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube

Thou Shalt Know Him collection
SATB a cappella, Augsburg/Fortress Press 0-8006-5520-6
SATB a cappella, The Church Music Society (OUP 978-0-19-395397-0)
SSAA a cappella Augsburg/Fortress Press 0800675304S
TTBB a cappella Augsburg/Fortress Press 9798889831228
Erkennen wirst ihn (SATB a cappella German) Augsburg/Fortress 9798889831242
Vous le saurez quand il vient (SATB a cappella French) Augsburg/Fortress 9798889831235
Lo conocerás cuando vieniere (SATB a cappella Spanish) Augsburg/Fortress 9798889831259
Du förstår när han är här (SATB a cappella Swedish) Gehrmans Musickförlag SKG 10083
A stunning text complimented by a soaring melody and expressive harmonies are found in this popular a cappella motet.  This work has been frequently recorded and broadcast by professional and amateur choirs worldwide including Vocalessence, the National Lutheran Choir and heard on CBC and NPR. See collection  See score YouTube or YouTube or YouTube ChoralTracks

Thy Kingdom Come
SATB & piano or organ, Cypress Choral Music KH 103
A hymn-anthem suitable for communion and Advent, designed especially for smaller choirs.  This was commissioned for Conrad Grebel Chapel, University of Waterloo and has become a favourite among many Canadian choirs.  See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks

Ubi Caritas
SSATBB a cappella, Walton Music WJMS1097
Commissioned for the National Youth Choir of Canada an extensive a cappella setting of this ancient Latin antiphon (Where charity and love dwell, there is God.)  This sometimes serene, oft-times dramatic work has a great deal of harmonic and contrapuntal interest.  Appropriate for college, university, community and church choirs. See score & listen YouTube

Veni Sancte Spiritus
SSAATBB motet, Walton Music, WJMS1084 HL08501585
A magnificent a cappella setting that combines the traditional Latin and English texts—appropriate for church and concert stage.  The motet was commissioned by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto, and features antiphony between upper and lower voices, and rich, sustained harmonies.  Suitable for church and concert stage.  See score & listen YouTube

Where Love and Charity Live
SATB a cappella, Boosey & Hawkes M-051-47825-5
An extensive motet on the English translation of “Ubi caritas” commissioned by the Peterborough Singers, Sydney Birrell, director.  Full of rich sonorities and contrast. See score & listen YouTube

Wilt Thou Forgive
SATB a cappella, Canadian International CIM1027
A Lenten anthem is a setting of the poem by John Donne more commonly known as “Hymn to God the Father”. A challenging work full of great musical rewards, it has been recorded by the Canadian Chamber Choir.  YouTube