A La Nanita Nana
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This hauntingly beautiful arrangement of the Traditional Spanish carol features the gentle feel of a lullaby and an interesting mixture of major and minor modes. Both Spanish and English lyrics are used, and a pronunciation guide is included.

Now available in multiple voicings; suitable for school or church use. Originally published in Ruthie's musical, "It's Christmas Everywhere."


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

Christmas Grace
View score page 2, page 3
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Inspired by and dedicated to Ruthie's granddaughter, Natalie Grace (whose name means "Christmas Grace"), this tender offering beautifully reflects God's gift of grace to us through His Son. Seeing the helplessness of her tiny, brand new grandbaby was the inspiration for this timeless piece. "To take God's Son from heaven, to turn the Lord of all into a helpless infant, a baby weak and small; to give to our Creator a fully human face: This is Christmas Grace..." Hints of "Amazing Grace" occur in the piano accompaniment and String orchestration for added emphasis to the theme of God's grace coming to us in the form of a tiny Child. String Orchestra score and parts available separately.

Cross of Sorrow, Cross of Love
View score page 1, page 2, page 6
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The tender text of this sensitive original anthem reflects Christ's great love for us on Calvary. A delicate melody with moderately easy choral parts shares a brief a cappella section incorporating the beloved "Man of Sorrows, What a Name" ("Hallelujah! What a Savior," by Philip P. Bliss) before the quiet, fitting conclusion. Suitable for Lent or Holy Week, with Optional String Orchestra as well as Piano accompaniment. (String Orchestra includes Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, and Reduction.) P/A CD also available.

Gifts of Bread and Wine
View SATB score page 4, page 5
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Prayerful communion anthem with gentle, flowing accompaniment and delicately painted text ..."Sustenance for my spirit, basic elements, yet divine; cleansing for my soul in the gifts of bread and wine. A new covenant based on mercy, the Father's grace revealed. In communion with you, Lord, I am healed..." Gorgeous string parts (available separately) will create an unforgettable worship experience.

Hallelu! He Lives!
Orchestration to Accompany the Children's Musical; Scored for flute, two clarinets, cello, handbells, piano and percussion.

This highly accessible 8 minute mini-musical for unison / two-part children's choir tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life from Palm Sunday through Easter. (Anthems may also be done separately during Holy Week.) Weaving traditional melodies with original melodic material, and providing charming narration in verse form, Ruth Elaine Schram has created a lovely work well suited to the abilities of children, yet rich in meaning for all who hear. Titles include "Joy on That Day," suitable for Palm Sunday, "Table of Love" for Communion / Maundy Thursday, and "Hallelu! He Lives!" for Easter Sunday.

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Holy Child
View SATB score page 3, page 4, page 10
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This powerful Christmas anthem unexpectedly and powerfully incorporates the hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy." Its poignant message speaks of the holiness of the Christ Child and the impact of His birth on us today. Available for SATB or SAB voices, this anthem has strong dynamic contrast and a heartfelt, memorable melody. Beautiful String Orchestra Score (available separately; includes a reduction) or Accompaniment CD are also available.

How Great His Love
View SATB score page 1, page 2
How great is the Father's love for us! Full of awe and wonder, this song of reverent faith opens quietly, with unison voices. The vocals thicken gradually as the verses rise in successive keys, warmly supported by the artful accompaniment. Lyrical and reflective, it is a gift of love for our gracious, compassionate God. (From the cantata "The Living Last Supper.")

Suitable for Lent, Communion services, or general use. Beautifully orchestrated for flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, Percussion (wind chimes and suspended cymbal), Violin I and II, Viola, Cello, and Bass. All instrumental parts are optional and work with the piano to support and augment, but not overwhelm, the voices.

In Communion
Providing a rich context for why Christians celebrate communion, this anthem will enrich your congregation's observance of Jesus' last supper. With or without the available orchestral parts, the lilting melody and lyrical accompaniment set a tender mood for a text that describes the Savior's final meal with His disciples. From the Lenten tenebrae musical, "Tapestry of Darkness." Beautifully orchestrated Accompaniment CD available, or Score and Parts for Winds, Strings, Percussion, and French Horn for live orchestra.

Le Printemps
"Le Printemps" is French for "the springtime." This piece brings images of springtime to the listener's mind. The rhythmic pattern that begins in the bass and works its way up to the violins illustrates the patter of raindrops or flowers bursting into bloom. The beautiful melodies in the piece will engage players and audiences alike.

The Living Last Words
Designed to accompany either the SATB or SAB version of this Dramatic Musical Experience for Holy Week. Scored for Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, French Horn, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Bass, Percussion (Wind Chimes, Sus. Cymbal), Timpani, and Piano.

The piano part is not a reduction of the orchestration, but a beautiful accompaniment. Each instrumental part is optional and intended to supplement the piano accompaniment. The small orchestration is designed to be easily played by volunteer church musicians, utilizing instrumentation that will beautifully augment the piano but not overwhelm even a small choir.

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My Heart, Your Bethlehem
View score page 6, page 7
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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.

A Prelude to Advent
One of Chopin's most profoundly engaging melodies (well known to most piano players) forms the foundation of this fascinating Advent offering. Ruthie creates a meaningful dialogue between a treasured carol and this masterful theme. Chorally satisfying, your singers will connect with its tender beauty, and your congregation will feel anchored to the familiar tune. Help keep your Advent worship meaningful with this new anthem.

Beautifully orchestrated by John Purifoy (originally published in the "Noel Masterworks" collection); both the Chamber Orchestration and an Accompaniment CD are available separately.

Silent the Night
Gently moving and extraordinarily beautiful, "Silent the Night" opens with a beautiful original melody by Ruth Elaine Schram, then flows seamlessly in and out of The "Coventry Carol" and "Silent Night, Holy Night." Perfect for Christmas worship and school holiday concerts, it is easily prepared and effectively performed with any of the accompaniment options. (From the cantata "Night of Wonder, Night of Joy" by Niel Lorenz and Ruth Elaine Schram, Orchestrated by Stan Pethel; SATB--65/1999L; SAB--65/2000L)

Tapestry of Darkness
Written to accompany the musical "Tapestry of Darkness" for SATB voices. Scored for Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Bass, French Horn, Percussion (Sus. Cymbal, Wind Chimes), Timpani, and Piano. As with most of Ruthie's instrumentations, when writing the orchestral parts she kept the volunteer musician in mind, scoring it with modest ranges and moderate difficulty levels. The music is beautiful but deceptively simple to play, sounding like more than the sum of its parts. One of Ruthie's goals in her large works is to write music that will encourage instrumentalists in your congregation to become involved in your music ministry -- whether they are young people taking lessons now, participating in school or community bands or orchestras, or adults who may have played or taken lessons years ago and may not have used their abilities for a long time.

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With What Shall I Come?
View score page 4, page 6
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Customized Instrumental Accompaniment (Demo using synthesizer)
Although this is an anthem suitable for general use, it would be particularly appropriate for stewardship emphasis or as an offertory. Based on Micah 6:6-8, Ruthie Schram's inspired treatment of this text is set in a minor mode, enhancing the essence of the scripture. A creative inclusion of a portion of the familiar Isaac Watts text "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all" is a fitting culmination and response to the opening question of the anthem.


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

This orchestration premiered by Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, Owensboro, Kentucky.