Sacred Choral Music/Anthems & Motets
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O Praise the Lord, all ye Heathen
(1992) Anthem for general use |
SATB
Words: Psalm 117, Book of Common Prayer First performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir in Peterborough Cathedral |
Available from the composer
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Grant, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord
(1994) Anthem for general use |
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 |
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Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be Written for our Learning
(1994) Anthem for general use |
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 |
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O God, who has Prepared
(1994) Anthem for general use |
SATB (with divisions)
Words: Collect for the 6th Sunday after Trinity, Book of Common Prayer First performed by the Cardiff University Church Choir |
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Bring us, O Lord God
(1995) Anthem for general use |
SATB (with divisions).
Words: Donne. First performed by the Cardiff University Church Choir. |
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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 |
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Behold now, praise the Lord
(2002) Anthem for general use, especially at eventide |
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 |
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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 |
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Salve Regina
(2003) 
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SATB
Words: Latin (attributed to Herman the Lame) |
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God be merciful unto us, and bless us
(2004) Anthem for general use |
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 |
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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 |
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Christ was the Word
(2005) Very short Communion motet 
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SATB
Words: attributed to Queen Elizabeth I Commissioned by the Royal School of Church Music and published in Sunday by Sunday 2 (2006) |
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Jesus, to your table led
(2005) Communion anthem 
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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 |
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)
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Alma Redemptoris mater
(2006) |
SATB (with divisions)
Words: Latin First sung at a Scott Plummer singing afternoon |
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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. |
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The Seas are Quiet
(2007) Anthem for general use but especially suitable for eventide and commemorations |
SATB (with divisions), organ
Words: Edmund Waller Featured in Organists' Review First performed by the Giltspur Singers in St Margaret's Lee. |
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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 |
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)
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The Peace of God
(2009) Wedding motet |
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') |
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To God who gives our daily bread
(2010) A grace, but suitable for general use and for harvest thanksgiving |
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 Featured in Organists' Review |
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Stars of the Morning
(2010) Anthem for Michaelmas 
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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 |
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)
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O how amiable are thy dwellings
(2011) Anthem for general use |
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 |
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I have loved you
(2015) Motet for general use |
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 |
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Love is...
(2016) Motet for general use but especially apt for weddings 
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SATB
Words: I Corinthians 13 Composed for the wedding of Miss Katy Turner and Mr Mark Honan |
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)
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Amen
(to conclude Great and Marvellous are Thy Works by Thomas Tomkins) (2017) |
SSATB
Commissioned by Simon Scott Plummer |
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Alter Prayer at Petertide
(2019) |
SATB
Words: Adey Grummet Composed for the 25th Anniversary of the priesting of The Reverend Kevin Scully |
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Royal Presents
(2020) Anthem for Epiphany 
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SATB, organ
Words: Nathaniel Wanley (1634-1680) |
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Drop, drop slow tears
(2020) Motet for Lent and other times 
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SATB
Words: Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650) |
This setting of Phineas Fletcher's familiar text should make a welcome addition to the Lenten repertoire of choirs confident in singing unaccompanied and handling some tuning challenges. Maxim responds assuredly to the challenge he has set himself to create a distinctive setting of a text already strongly associated with two musical settings. His melodic writing here subtly draws out the emotional meanings and imagery of the text without resorting to cliché. If the harmony initially seems a little predictable with a couple of 9-8 suspensions, the surprising turns it takes thereafter are arresting in the ways they draw attention to the conflicts that the text describes. Herein like the principle challenge for choirs. The texture is largely homophonic throughout and there are few difficulties in terms of rhythmic coordination. Harmonically, however, the middle section will require careful attention. Here, the music moves quickly away from the B minor centre of the opening section, with deceptive us of a D minor chord in place of B minor heralding a flat-wards move to B flat minor replete with chromatic adjustment. The move back to B minor for the final section is a little less challenging. For a choir confident in tackling such harmonic challenges, there is much to find rewarding here. Martin Clarke (Organists' Review)
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Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise (2020) Anthem for Eastertide 
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SATB, organ
Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885) |
Christopher Maxim has forged a distinctive and consistent compositional style that always demands respect. This festal anthem, setting verses from Bishop Christopher Wordsworth's hymn, would suit Eastertide, harvest, or other services of praise. Maxim's organ writing is always idiomatic: here he achieves the neat trick of writing an accompaniment that is both dramatic and technically not overly demanding. The same applies for the vocal parts which are sympathetically written but with just the right level of technical challenge to be satisfying. Jaunty irregular rhythms, strong melodic writing and good, crunchy tonal harmonies make this a fine sing. Huw Morgan (Organists' Review)
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A brighter dawn is breaking
(2020) Anthem for Eastertide 
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SATB, organ
Words: Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) |
Christopher Maxim welcomes Easter with this joyful setting of Percy Dearmer's hymn text. The outer sections have the feel of a (possibly medieval) dance, with 6/8 time signature and homophonic texture. The contrapuntal central verses will require work in rehearsal, but the vocal lines are rewarding and singable in themselves. After three unaccompanied version, for which the organ provides introduction and links, the instruments joins in the fun for the concluding fourth verse. Stephen Patterson (Church Music Quarterly)
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My spirit longs for thee
(2020) Motet for Lent and other times |
SATB, organ
Words: John Byrom (1692-1763) |
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O King enthroned on high
(2020) Anthem for Whitsuntide |
SATB
Words: Greek, c. 8th century; translated by John Brownlie (1857-1925) |
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Spirit divine, attend our prayers
(2020) Anthem for Whitsuntide |
SATB, organ
Words: Andrew Reed (1787-1862) |
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Sing, all ye Christian people
(2022) Anthem for Eastertide |
SATB, organ
Words: Jan Struther (1901-1953) |
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Rejoice in the Lord
(2023) Anthem for general use |
SATB, organ
Words: Philippians 4 Commissioned by the Reverend Dr Sue Lucas and the Parish of The Holy Trinity, East Ham in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the building of the present St Bartholomew's Church and Centre and of the Walker organ |
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The Easter Anthems
Christ our passover is sacrificed for us (2024) Anthem for Eastertide |
SATB, organ
Words: 1 Corinthians & Romans |
