Advent Peace Canon
View SATB score page 2, page 3
Click here to listen (SATB)
Ruth Elaine Schram has beautifully fashioned together Pachelbel's "Canon in D" with texts of "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" and "Dona Nobis Pacem."  Suitable for Advent or Christmas services, this lovely work is sure to be a favorite!  Add the optional flute obligato to round out this inspiring piece.  Simply gorgeous!


Customized Instrumental Accompaniment is available for this choral work! Click here for more info.

An Advent Reflection
With quiet, flowing characteristics, the text of this original anthem aptly depicts the imagery of the Advent season. Optional flute and cello parts complement the texture and expressiveness. The flexible choral parts have been conceived to be performed with either SATB or two-part mixed choirs.

Flute and Cello parts are available as a free download from the publisher.

Be Born In Us
View score page 1, page 2
Moving Advent anthem by David S. Gaines & Ruth Elaine Schram. "Be born in us, O Holy Child, and let the light of Your love shine within our lives. Be born in us, O Prince of Peace, let the hope You bring this world be born in me..." It is rare to find an Advent anthem with such a sincere personal message of hope, trust and renewal. A marvelous choice for any time during the Advent season.

Call Him Jesus
View score page 2, page 3
Click here to listen
With or without piano accompaniment, this infectious rhythmic anthem is easy to prepare and fun to sing! For Advent or Christmas, with optional Hand Drum part included in score.

Come From Heaven Above
Ruth Elaine Schram presents this energetic, syncopated original selection with dual texts, one each for Advent and Christmas. Call-and-response choral writing with dynamic contrast makes it both fun to sing and to hear! The flexible vocal texture is great for smaller adult or youth choirs. What a nice change of pace to have something upbeat for Advent! An optional Percussion part is available from the publisher as a free download.

Easy Anthems for Classic Worship Volume 6
This collection includes pieces for Advent, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Lent, Communion and general occasions in a variety of styles. All of these are proven winners from composers and arrangers Joel Raney, Lloyd Larson, Joe Martin, John Carter, Jay Althouse, Marty Parks, and Ruth Elaine Schram. Each is set for SAB or two-part mixed choirs. Make these excellent arrangements a part of your choir's library.

Every Valley
View score page 8, page 9
Click here to listen
Based on Isaiah 40 and Luke 3, this is a gently powerful work for Advent that quotes both the Old Testament prophecy and its New Testament fulfillment. This confident anthem of promise will be even stronger with the addition of the optional Trumpet part included in the score.

God's Big Family
In "God's Big Family," celebrated composer Ruth Elaine Schram has crafted a great resource for today's Christian children's choirs. Its six easy unison anthems are both fun and fun to sing and include optional second voice parts written in easy-to-teach formats such as echo, call and response, and partner song. With texts that serve the entire church year, each piece in this collection features a supportive and playable keyboard accompaniment.

Songs are included for Advent, Christmas, Easter, Family Emphasis, and General use. There are also optional parts for small percussion and body percussion that reinforce rhythmic acuity, and optional body motions and sign language provide beautiful visual appeal while developing gross motor skills. The corresponding reproducible narrations make these anthems perfect for worship, Sunday School and Christian School programs, and special fellowship events. The collection includes reproducible song sheets and (if purchased in this format) a Performance/Accompaniment CD delightfully orchestrated by Tim Hayden.

He Will Be the Love
The emphasis upon Divine love is a universal image of promise for the season of lights. With a memorable melody, this graceful anthem weaves a spell of beauty, making it ideal for the candle lighting moment in your Advent service. A very achievable accompaniment gently supports the voices while adding a tasteful adornment to the spirit of the piece. Gorgeous Cello part is included in the score.

In That Day
View score page 4, page 5
Click here to listen
This rhythmic, upbeat anthem is a change of pace for Advent or Christ the King Sunday, quoting the passage from Isaiah 12 as the basis for the text.  With joy and assurance we sing of His promised salvation.  Much unison and two part singing, and the repetitious nature of this piece, make it memorable and easy to learn.  Changes in voicing and dynamics add interest and propel it forward to the victorious climax.

An Invitation for Advent
Beckoning for Emmanuel to "come and set us free," this anthem for Advent combines original music and text with the beloved Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Optional egg shakers and a stirring piano accompaniment enhance the sense of longing with its gentle and continuous rhythmic drive. Words and Music by Ruth Elaine Schram, arranged by Douglas Nolan.

Jesus, Christmas Treasure
Click here to listen
These beautiful melodies and inspired lyrics, artfully crafted by Ruth Elaine Schram, will enhance any yuletide worship experience. Vocalists and accompanists alike will embrace the lush musical settings, and congregations will be equally moved by these musical renditions that anticipate and celebrate the birth of the Messiah. This versatile resource includes an accompaniment CD for rehearsal or performance purposes. Optional String Synth keyboard parts are also included on the CD as data files, providing a creative performance option when used with the piano accompaniment. (These files are also available as a free download from the publisher.)

In addition to the ten Accompaniment Tracks, two bonus tracks are included: "Hear the Angels Sing" (full orchestration by Stan Pethel recorded with live instruments) and "Holy Night, Silent Night" (medley of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," orchestrated by Ruth Elaine Schram, recorded with live String Orchestra).

Light a Candle for Peace
View score page 2, page 3
Click here to listen
This gentle, flexible anthem is a perfect choice when lighting the peace candle during Advent. However it is not so specific to Advent that it could not be used throughout the year for other services with a "peace" focus. The optional child's solo can be a breathtaking option (particularly if used for 9/11 remembrance services) and the flowing keyboard writing helps make this a real winner. Ruth Elaine Schram is known for her tender music of hope and she has touched this subject with her special magical melding of melody and text. Cello obligato included in score, which adds a beautiful, crowning touch.

Lighting the Flame of Hope
View score page 2, page 3, page 4
Click here to listen
This flexible anthem is designed to accompany the weekly ritual of illuminating the candles of the Advent wreath. Several performance options are given, including the use of this piece each week during Advent, or any one week of your choice using the appropriate text and scripture, or straight through utilizing all verses. An optional flute obbligato is included which underscores the optional scriptural narrations included in the score. Utilizing the traditional French carol, Carol of the Birds, this graceful anthem will make a delightful addition to worship during the Advent season. In addition, two endings are included: one minor and one major. If using this all four weeks of Advent, the composer suggests using the minor ending for the first three weeks, and the major ending on the last week for variety. Voiced for Two Part Mixed with cues for Alto to easily turn this into an SAB anthem.


Customized Instrumental Accompaniment is available for this choral work! Click here for more info.

Like A Rose
View score page 1, page 2, page 3
This tender new setting of the famous passages from Isaiah 35:1-6 and Isaiah 40:4-5 paints a beautiful picture of new life and healing through the coming of the Messiah. "...O, how we are longing; our hope ever grows for the day of his coming, when the desert will blossom like a rose..." Set for mixed voices with a flowing piano accompaniment that is as much a joy to play as to hear. Good any time during Advent, or on a gray, wintry Sunday before Christmas.

Lord of the Stars
A rich, soulful melody enhances the air of mystery and wonder in this expressive anthem for Advent. Written in a minor key, the piece prayerfully asks, "When will You come to us?" The well-crafted piece also incorporates the beloved hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" that heightens the sense of yearning for the coming of the Messiah.

Magnificat
View score page 3, page 4
Click here to listen
Ruth Elaine Schram has written a setting of the Magnificat that brings to life this beautiful text for children and young singers that also works well with adults.  Written with a clear understanding of the developing voice, this memorable tune will be a favorite of any age group.  Lovely flute part is included in the score.

My Heart, Your Bethlehem
View score page 6, page 7
Click here to listen
A delicate, yet powerful musical message is tastefully joined with the familiar carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in this heartfelt expression for the Christmas season by David Gaines and Ruth Elaine Schram. A short, optional a cappella section quoting the hymn is artfully woven in to this arrangement. Optional string orchestra parts (by David Dixon) bring additional beauty to this reflective setting. String score and parts or an Accompaniment CD are available separately.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
View score page 1, page 2
Click here to listen
The beloved Advent text is given fresh treatment when paired with the beautiful Scottish folk melody, "Waly, Waly."   Fluid piano accompaniment underscores the voice parts and enhances the beauty of the text.  Two part scoring (sopranos and altos in unison, tenors and basses in unison) and antiphonal writing make this easy to prepare during the busy holiday season.

Personent Hodie
"On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing. To the Child born a King, sing we alleluia!" This well-known 16th century carol text and melody is embellished in this creative setting. Alternating between Latin and English text, with piano accompaniment and optional 3-octave handbells, this sparkling arrangement is perfect as a processional or from the platform during your Christmas Worship Service. Available in multiple voicings for Adult, Ladies, Men, Youth, or Children's Choirs.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
Especially suited for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, this setting of this favorite Advent text by Laurentius Laurenti uses a dancing 6/8 feel to highlight the sense of joy in the text. Choral parts and accompaniment are easily accessible and fresh making this anthem one you and your choir will enjoy for years to come.


Customized Instrumental Accompaniment is available for this choral work! Click here for more info.

Send the World a Savior
With words and music by John Parker and Ruth Elaine Schram, "Send the World a Savior" is a passionate plea in musical form, capturing the desire of the Advent season. Scored for SATB ensemble with piano accompaniment and an optional Tenor solo, it is a fun and upbeat work, yet remains reverent. With its powerful dynamic contrast and expressive harmonies, it is a beautiful addition to any Holiday program.

Simply Waiting
View score page 4, page 5
Click here to listen
A musical and textual depiction of the frustration of "simply waiting," yet having the faith that the Advent promises will be fulfilled. Lots of dynamic contrast and some a cappella measures interspersed with rhythmic piano accompaniment make this anthem a unique and dynamic offering for the Advent season.

A Thankful Heart this Christmas
This piece, with its moving text, is a wonderful teaching tool for the Christmas season. "Lord, grant me a thankful heart, an attitude of gratitude; and help me appreciate what's already mine, all the things I wanted before. I've been blessed beyond compare; I have toys and games to spare. And I realize there's just one thing more that I should be asking for: I want a thankful heart this Christmas." This lovely, poignant anthem for children is not to be missed! Accompaniment / Performance CD available.

Upon a Midnight Clear
Come to Bethlehem and relive that midnight clear when "the world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing." In this 35-minute Christmas musical, veterans John Purifoy and Ruth Elaine Schram have captured the joy of Christmas in dynamic and tender musical moments. The work begins with the beautiful "Stand Still and Wait" by Cynthia Clawson, and gracefully carries us from Advent to the birth of our Savior.

The narration (by Mark Cabaniss) incorporates brief character monologues that give an account of their role on that first Christmas night long ago, bringing it to life in vivid tones. Optional congregational participation is included, as well as the optional incorporation of children's voices. Add the simple, optional staging and candlelight touches to create an unforgettable Christmas worship experience for your church and community.

Exquisite orchestration by Ed Hogan; Accompaniment CD available as well as part-dominant rehearsal aids.

Watch the Digital Reading Session with Mark Cabaniss, John Purifoy, and Ruth Elaine Schram here!



more info...

Waiting for the Star
Here is another creative gem from the pen of Ruth Elaine Schram, appropriate for Advent, Christmas or Epiphany. The Latin style, supported by keyboard accompaniment and optional parts for tambourine and shaker, seems to be a perfect fit with the engaging text. Your choir will love to sing this piece and your congregation will love to hear it!

Waiting, Wandering, Wondering
Ideal for the season of waiting, this haunting Advent anthem is for any combination of Two Part voices. Using simple part writing, this piece is accessible to Adult Mixed Ensembles or Treble Choirs who are developing their part-singing ability. Attention to dynamic contrasts will assure a meaningful presentation of this original composition. Performance / Accompaniment CD available.

Watch Now
View score page 3, page 4
Click here to listen
Contemplative Advent anthem (loosely based upon Mark 13:35-36 and Psalm 121:4) admonishes us to watch for the gift of God's Son, because we do not want to be sleeping when He comes. Bridge section ponders when He might arrive, giving this part of the song a lovely, poetic lift depicting the various times of day. Fluid piano accompaniment supports the voices which alternate between rich four part harmony, then going back and forth between men and women on melody. Set in minor mode, a longer than usual (7 measures) piano introduction sets the introspective mood of the piece. Beginning softly, it builds to its apex then ends softly, with the voices echoing the dramatic and anticipatory scripture: "Watch now, for you know not when He comes."

When Will the Little King Come?
View Two Part score page 1, page 2
Click here to listen (Unison / Two Part)
This charming anthem of expectation has been a perennial best-seller since the publication of the two-part version in 1990.  It is perfect for Advent and also serves well for Christ the King Sunday.  Because of the antiphony, the Two Part version is an excellent teaching piece for choirs beginning to sing in parts, unison choirs, or young voices, but is also suitable for senior adults or mixed choirs with limited rehearsal time.  The SAB and SATB voicings are fuller, but not difficult to learn.


Customized Instrumental Accompaniment is available for this choral work! Click here for more info.

Will You Make Room?
View score page 4, page 5
Click here to listen
Reflecting on the many things that make Christmas so special, the writing team of David S. Gaines and Ruth Elaine Schram asks, "Will you make room for the Christ-child, a home for Him on earth? Will you make room for the Spirit as He brings new birth? Will you make room in your life for love's pure light to shine?..."  Poignant and filled with sentiment, this anthem moves quietly through a mood of introspection, and briefly quotes portions of "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne."  (The entire hymn is printed on the back of the anthem if you wish to incorporate it into the anthem or your worship service.)  Effective any time during Advent or Christmas.