More Voices Accompanists' Edition
More Voices Audio CD set

More Voices, a 288-page songbook with 225 songs suited for today’s contemporary worship, has something for everyone!

• Powerful Canadian hymns
• African calls to worship
• French contemplative chants
• Foot-stomping praise

More Voices, the new supplement to Voices United. Experience the community of song that unites, empowers, and inspires, like nothing else.

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Embracing Change CD Labyrinth, Songs for the Journey CD Like Water Through Rock CD Lord Be Glorified (Keyboard/Guitar Edition) Lord Be Glorified (Pew Edition) Lord Be Glorified CD Recording Library Momentary Saints CD More Voices Accompanists' Edition More Voices Audio CD set More Voices Large Print Outside the Lines CD Season of Sharing CD Spirit of Christ CD Stand for What is Right CD This Is The Day! CD

The vision of the wide-reaching and inclusive hymn book Voices United, published in 1996, continues in this supplement. It is a joint venture between the United Church of Canada and Wood Lake Publishing. Wood Lake is familiar with supplements and joint ventures, being instrumental in producing Songs for Gospel People (1987) with British Columbia and Alberta Conferences, All God’s Children Sing (1992) with Alberta and Northwest Conference, Spirit of Singing (1994) and Spirit Anew (1999).

More Voices is a theologically relevant and uplifting resource for the Christian community, bringing new energy and vision to the work and witness of the church by gathering together the musical gifts and styles of the worldwide Christian community. In the words of the former Moderator of the United Church, the very Rev. Peter Short, “it reflects the current renewal of the worship and congregational song”.

This supplement is not, of course, meant to replace Voices United, but to enhance and expand our contemporary and ecumenical repertoire. There is something for everyone: from a simple African call to worship – Uyai mose and a Canadian benediction – Peace be With You, to foot-stomping – Draw the Circle Wide and dancing – Dance with the Spirit, prayerful reflection – Christ, within Us Hidden, and joyous praise – Glory to God to name a few of the 225 selections.

Musicians and clergy are encouraged to unpack the music, bringing it off the page in the best way suited to their capabilities and surroundings. Improvisation is encouraged, especially with the many selections for unison voices. Perhaps that is the one criticism I have – the abundance of unison selections. Many churches are fortunate to have a few voices that can carry a tune, where unison selections are necessary. Other churches with choirs capable of 4 – part singing often find unison singing tedious. It then becomes the job of the musician to enliven the presentation.

One might find some of the tunes not as lyrical as one might expect from congregational songs/hymns, or are we musically not as sharp as we used to be? Have we gone too far in “dumbing down”? We may conveniently forget that many of our “standard” hymns began life as folk songs of the time – look at a description of what we know today as the Passion Chorale. Who knows how long some of these selections will last – they were written for a time which may not be relevant years later. But just as the Passion Chorale has stood the test of time, perhaps When We Are Tested (#65) will do the same and become a new Lenten favorite.

This is also a specifically Canadian resource, in the sense that it features many of our own gifted text writers and composers. Some are being published for the first time – only in Canada, you say. We are a talented country and it makes me proud to see such inspirations being shared with the church and community. The contents are ordered after a worship service, which makes it easier to see where selections would be suitable. The indexes are informative, especially the Scriptural References and Liturgical Use, Topics and Categories. The layout is well-done for ease of playing and reading, and the coil binding allows the book to lay flat on the music stand.

Congregations are encouraged to supplement their singing with More Voices. It will open your hearts and minds to new horizons as we continue to evolve as a church in today’s world. Bravo on a job well done!