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Hymn Accompaniment CDs

Our sister site, www.hymncds.com has a wide range of CDs with accompaniments for hymns on organ and worship songs on piano, plus organ voluntaries.

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John Sheppard - Cantate Mass: The Sixteen   

Two discs and only 4 of 20 tracks are the Cantate mass - there's also a good range of motets including many of Sheppard's best known pieces, such as the Christmas motet Verbum caro factus est and the beautiful Libera nos. If you need convincing of Sheppard's genius, just listen to the Amen of Jesu salvator saeculi, redemptis - taken individually some of the lines sound positively 20th century in their modernity, and in combination it takes your breath away - it's hard not to say 'he can't do that!' - but he does. Perhaps the only criticism is that the Sixteen underplay the clashes so they aren't quite as shocking as they could be. Even so, probably the best introduction to Sheppard now on the market.

See at Amazon.co.uk.
See at Amazon.com.

At least one hymn will usually be sung if the funeral service in a church, and may be sung at a crematorium. Certain hymns are particularly well suited for a funeral service. Usually the hymns recommended in a hymn book for evening are particularly appropriate, as are those based on the 23rd psalm. You may also want to consider a favourite hymn of the person who has died - bear in mind it might not be known to the organist, so ask as soon as you can.

 

For some of the hymns we've got a MIDI file that will give you and idea of what the tune sounds like - click on theicon to hear it.

 

Funeral hymns and music

Funeral hymns

Arranging a funeral is a very difficult time in anyone's life. Choosing the music can add to the strain. The most important thing is to choose music that you comfortable with, and that your loved one would have wanted. But these suggestions may help if you need some guidance..

 

 

 

CD hymn accompaniments

If there is no organist available, you might find our hymn accompaniment CDs useful - they enable you to sing hymns without anyone to play. For many funerals, the general set is most relevant, but some services, particularly military funerals, it is worth taking a look at our remembrance CD, which includes many traditional Remembrance Day hymns, and five national anthems. For general background music, one of our hymns of voluntaries, such as Bach Miniatures or French and German organ music is ideal. We can also provide individual MP3s or a bespoke CD with the specific tracks you want.

 

 

Music for hymns

We quite often get asked where you can get sheet music for a particular hymn. Few hymns are available as separate sheet music. All the hymns and tunes we mention above are in one or both of the main Anglican hymn books: Ancient & Modern New Standard and The New English Hymnal. See our hymn book page for information on buying these from Amazon, but check with your organist first - many will already have access to copies.

 

 

 

A choir

As funerals are often held during the week in can be difficult for a church choir, where many members might be at work or at school, to attend. In some churches, where the choir is largely retired, this is is possible - if you would like help with the singing, it does no harm to ask. If the members of the choir are liable to attend the funeral anyway - for example, if the funeral is for a member of the choir, or someone well known in the church they will often volunteer to attend.

 

Although church choirs normally charge for attending special services, funerals can provide difficulties for both the choir and those making the arrangements as to whether or not this is acceptable. If the members of the choir are likely to be attending anyway it is very unlikely that they will want to charge, and if the family would like to make a donation it will probably go to charity. If, however, a choir is requested for which the choir would not otherwise attend it is only fair to expect to pay a similar charge to that made for weddings.

 

Church choirs are often not available on weekdays. If you would like live music when a choir isn’t available, or prefer a different sound, try:

 

 

 

Anthems

If you are having a choir they will usually be able to offer an anthem - a short sung piece that will act as a point of contemplation within the service. What they can sing will depend on the choir's repertoire and will need discussing beforehand, but here are some suggestions:

 

 

 

 

Organ music

Organ music is traditional in churches and can add to the occasion at the beginning and end of the service as well as accompanying any hymns. There is much less tradition here than with the wedding service - talk through any suggestions with your organist.

 

 

 

Recorded music

You can of course use recorded music (you may have to provide the equipment to play it - check), and this may be the best way to get a favourite piece into the occasion, particularly as people are arriving. Note that to use recorded music you may have to pay appropriate copyright fees - check with the vicar or whoever is taking the funeral.