We Gather Together

Use: Thanksgiving, General
Required Resources: TB choir, organ
Language: English

A nice way to add variety to the adult choir program is to have half the choir (the women or the men) sing alone occasionally. This anthem is a great way for the men to shine — the tenors sing the familiar hymn melody, We Gather Together, and the basses add an easy harmony. The organ part, which is similar in style to some of the hymn preludes by Paul Manz, supports the singers and adds some harmonies above them. Three stanzas are included, with a brief introduction and coda. The overall effect is one of peaceful, yet persistent, motion.

The hymn, We Gather Together was written in 1597 in thanksgiving for a Dutch victory, and was brought to the New World by Dutch settlers. Translated from Dutch to German by Eduard Kremser (1877) and from German to English by Theodore Baker (1894), it became paired with the familiar melody we sing today, named Kremser for the 19th century Austrian men's choir director.

Dr. J. William Greene, one of CNP's first and most prolific composers, serves as Organist-Choirmaster at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He directs the adult choir and the handbell choir, and plays the 1991 Taylor & Boody tracker organ of 20 ranks. He is building a choristers program based on the principles of the Royal School of Church Music.