Anthems & Motets

Instrumental music Sacred choral music Secular choral music Songs

Sacred Choral Music/Anthems & Motets

O Praise the Lord, all ye Heathen
(1992)

SATB
Words: Psalm 117, Book of Common Prayer

First performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir in Peterborough Cathedral

Available from the composer

Grant, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord
(1994)

SATB (with divisions), tenor solo, organ
Words: Collect for the 21st Sunday after Trinity, Book of Common Prayer

First performed by the Cardiff University Church Choir

Published on Score Exchange

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be Written for our Learning
(1994)

SATB (with divisions), treble solo, organ
Words: Collect for the 2nd Sunday in Advent, Book of Common Prayer

First performed by the Cardiff University Church Choir in Bath Abbey

Published on Score Exchange

O God, who has Prepared
(1994)

SATB (with divisions)
Words: Collect for the 6th Sunday after Trinity, Book of Common Prayer

First performed by the Cardiff University Church Choir

Published on Score Exchange

Bring us, O Lord God
(1995)

SATB (with divisions).
Words: Donne.
First performed by the Cardiff University Church Choir.

Published on Score Exchange

Sacerdotes Domini
(1998)

SATB, organ

Forms part of the Missa Sacerdotes Domini, first performed by members of the Cardiff University Church Choir and the Choir of St David’s Parish Church , Exeter on the occasion of the first celebration of Mass by The Reverend Timothy Hunt

Published on Score Exchange within the Missa Sacerdotes Domini

Behold now, praise the Lord
(2002)

S(S)ATB, organ
Words: Psalm 134, Book of Common Prayer

Join first prize-winner the 2002 Harold Smart Competition

First performed by St Teilo Singers in Chichester Cathedral

Published on Score Exchange

Let my prayer come up
(2002)
Introit for Eventide

SSATB
Words: Psalm 141, v. 2. Version used by John Blow in his setting of the same text

First performed by the St Teilo Singers in Bristol Cathedral

Published on Score Exchange

Salve Regina
(2003)

SATB
Words: Latin (attributed to Herman the Lame)

Published by the Royal School of Church Music in Sunday By Sunday 1 (2004)

God be merciful unto us, and bless us
(2004)

SATB, organ
Words: Psalm 67, Book of Common Prayer

Note: this is the Deus Mesereatur, which may be sung as an alternative to the Nunc Dimittis at Evensong. It is therefore also listed under Evening Canticles

First performed by the St Teilo Singers in Southwark Cathedral in June 2005

Published on Score Exchange

As we gather at your table
(2005)
Communion anthem

SATB, organ
Words: Christopher Maxim

First performed by the St Teilo Singers in Southwell Minster

May be sung in other vocal combinations, including unison voices, organ

Published on Score Exchange

Christ was the Word
(2005)

SATB
Words: attributed to Queen Elizabeth I

Commissioned by the Royal School of Church Music and published in Sunday by Sunday 2 (2006)

Published by the Royal School of Church Music in Sunday By Sunday 2 (2006)

Jesus, to your table led
(2005)
Communion anthem

SATB, organ
Words: adapted by the composer from a hymn by Canon R. H. Baynes (1864)

Featured in Organists' Review

First performed by the St Teilo Singers in St Albans Cathedral

Published by Paraclete Press

Jesus, to your table led adapts a text from R. H. Baynes and is a simple and attractive communion motet. It features simple four-part writing, sections for SA and TB for textural contrast, and an extended 'Amen' with some chromatic colour. Voices are comfortably supported by the organ accompaniment throughout.

Martin Clarke (Organists' Review)

Alma Redemptoris mater
(2006)

SATB (with divisions)
Words: Latin

First sung at a Scott Plummer singing afternoon

Published on Score Exchange

Felix Namque
(2006)

SATB (with divisions)
Words: Latin

First performed by the Latvian Radio Choir at the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea University, as part of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival.

Published on Score Exchange

The Seas are Quiet
(2007)

SATB (with divisions), organ
Words: Edmund Waller

Featured in Organists' Review

First performed by the Giltspur Singers in St Margaret's Lee.

Published on Score Exchange

Blake's Cradle Song
(2008)

SATB with divisions
Words: William Blake

First performed by the Giltspur Singers

Note: this piece is also listed under Christmas Music

Published on Score Exchange

Set to words by William Blake, this inventive and evocative work for unaccompanied mixed choir was written for The Giltspur Singers of London. Performable at Christmas, or at any time of the year, there is much of interest and to enjoy for any adventurous choir looking for music which both challenges and enthuses.

Recital Music

From Sting to Benjamin Britten, Blake’s elusive words have inspired many composers in different genres, and this new setting is certainly worthy of a place among them. The idiom is a sort of Tavener-meets-Howells; an apparent simplicity covers a subtle responsiveness to the words and a beguiling fluidity of musical effect. There are a few tricky harmonic corners but the piece is written with an evident delight in musically shaped phrases that are rewarding to sing.

James L. Montgomery (Church Music Quarterly)

The Peace of God
(2009)

SATB
Words: Canon M. C. Stack

Commissioned for the Wedding of Mr S. Burke and Ms S. Moss (October 2009). Canon Stack (1865-1946) was the great-grandfather of the bride. Sets the traditional tune Londonderry Air ('Danny boy')

Published on Score Exchange

To God who gives our daily bread
(2010)

SATB
Words: attributed to Thomas Tallis

Commissioned by Mr S. Daniels and Miss Leila Ward, to be sung at their wedding breakfast at the Queen's House, Greenwich on 31st July 2010

This piece may be sung as an introit or short anthem at Harvest and other times of thanksgiving

Featured in Organists' Review

Published on Score Exchange

Stars of the Morning
(2010)
Anthem for Michaelmas

SATB (with divisions), organ
Words: J. M. Neale (1818-1866) from the Greek hymn attributed to St Joseph the Hymnographer (d. 883)

First performed by the St Paul's Cathedral Consort (conducted by Timothy Wakerell) in St Paul's Cathedral, London on 8th September, 2010

Published by Paraclete Press

This festival anthem celebrates St. Michael and All Angels with choral divisi and organ. A wonderful challenge for advanced choirs, this has imaginative harmony with multi-metered rhythm.

Paraclete Press

Christopher Maxim's anthem 'for St Michael and All Angels', Stars of the Morning […] is a dramatic - and demanding - setting of the words by J. M. Neale from an ancient hymn, for SATB choir with occasional divisi, which received its first performance in St Paul's Cathedral. It is punctuated by a fortissimo unison melismatic phrase which marks each of its sections, and requires rhythmic precision in negotiating tempo changes as the declamation of the words unfolds. It certainly does justice to the 'thundering' and 'shouts of joy' of which the text speaks!

David Lindley (Organists' Review)

This is a dramatic setting of the words of the Michaelmas hymn, mostly loud and emphatic, with an arresting opening that reappears towards the end as well as in the middle, men only, for ‘Who like the Lord? thunders Michael the Chief’. There is much battling for right and shouting for joy; an exhilarating time will be had with a confident choir and organist.

James L. Montgomery (Sunday by Sunday)

O how amiable are thy dwellings
(2011)

SATB (with some divisions) S solo, organ
Words: from Psalm 84 (Book of Common Prayer)

Commissioned by the Rector and PCC of the Parish Church of St Matthew, Bethnal Green for the service to mark the 50th anniversary of the rebuilding and rededication of the church, following damage in WWII. First performed at that service by theGiltspur Singers with Adey Grummet (soprano solo)

This performance may be heard on YouTube

Published on Score Exchange

I have loved you
(2015)

SATB (with some optional divisions at the end)
Words: John 15:9-12

Commissioned by and dedicated to Simon and Elizabeth Scott Plummer in celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2016

Published on Score Exchange

Love is...
(2016)

SATB
Words: I Corinthians 13

Composed for the wedding of Miss Katy Turner and Mr Mark Honan

Published by Paraclete Press

Written to celebrate a wedding, the attributes of love, as written in 1 Corinthians 13, are extolled here in a simple four-part a cappella setting. A lovely selection for any wedding or occasion to celebrate the love of God.

Paraclete Press

Choosing a wedding anthem achievable by those bands of singing friends one might gather together on the Big Day is a challenge. This one comes highly recommended: Love is... (1 Corinthians, of course) is a gracious and practical wedding piece for SATB a cappella. The word-setting is excellent and, while it may be easy, it really does an effective job.

Rebecca Tavener (Organists' Review)