We Are the Church (Thanks Be to God): Choral Instrumental Pak
Item: 35-PK00438255
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Description
This anthem is a true celebration of church heritage! An opening rumble crescendoes to a statement of the head motive to the classic hymn "Now Thank We All Our God." The opening theme develops slowly in common time, "Through the mist of treasured memories, Lord, we see Your guiding hand" before surrendering to a confident chorus in 3/4. This chorus of "We are the church! Thanks be to God!" makes the optional participation of the congregation a perfect moment for united praise! Score and Parts (tpt 1-2, tbn 1-2, tba) available as a digital download.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00438255
More about this title
Why we love this
The integrated congregational moment transforms this from a performed anthem into a shared spiritual experience. The harmonic and metric shifts between the reflective verse and the energetic chorus create genuine musical drama without requiring advanced technical demands from your singers.
What to expect
A moment of musical storytelling that moves from quiet reflection through memory into collective joy. The shift from meditative minor territory into the bright confidence of the chorus feels like moving from candlelit contemplation into shared celebration.
Who it's for
Church musicians serving congregations with both strong choral programs and active congregational singing traditions. This works equally well for experienced singers and for choirs seeking to build confidence through accessible, theologically grounded material.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the opening crescendo deliberately; resist the urge to jump to full volume too quickly so the "rumble" has space to grow and grab attention.
- Keep the common time section introspective by resisting a heavy pulse. Let the text shape the phrasing more than the meter.
- When you reach the 3/4 chorus, establish the new meter decisively in the first two measures so the congregation can lock in confidently.
- Balance the instrumental parts to support rather than overshadow the choral line, especially during the congregational sections.
How to use it
Reserve this for services focused on gratitude, anniversaries, or heritage recognition, where the congregational participation becomes a structural feature rather than an add-on. It pairs beautifully with liturgical elements that invite corporate response, creating a natural arc from choir reflection to full assembly affirmation.
Skills your students will build
- Navigating meter changes (common time to 3/4)
- Balancing introspective and celebratory musical characters within a single piece
- Singing through text with clear articulation during slower harmonic movement
- Responding to text imagery to shape musical phrasing rather than relying on strict metric patterns