This is difficult -- most Christmas sacred music talks about the Christ child, the nativity, etc., and I know these are not usually welcomed in the Unitarian church.
That said, I'd look at anything composed or arranged by Craig Courtney. He writes well for the voice, and he has several collections for medium voice and piano. "The Hymn Settings of John Ness Beck" is good, as are "Psalm Settings of Craig Courtney" and "Music for the Master." Understand, though, that Courtney's stuff is written for what I'd call "mainstream" Christian churches, so you might have to dig a bit to find something that isn't too Christian.
One that might work well is the opening movement of Mozart's "Exsultate Jubilate" -- it's not that long, and I like it better than the concluding movement "Alleluia" (which would also be a good choice, but it's almost overdone).
----- Original Message ----- From: <Cantante@x...> To: <vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 4:21 PM Subject: [vocalist] Not-terribly Christian Christmas music?
> I know, I know -- a tall order. I'm singing for a Unitarian choir, > and I'm looking for some Lana Mountford-type solo soprano rep for the > upcoming holiday season. The hitch is that if it is too devoutly > Christian, and not modifiable in the usual Unitarian way (eg, > substituting "our god" for "the Lord," etc.) then it won't fly. I > CAN get away with rather more in Latin, but I don't know of anything > besides Adeste Fideles. > > "Oh Holy Night" is right out. > > Any ideas? > > Shannon > > PS -- I've been laying low the past year or more as I've had a > constellation of issues in my life, but I miss you all, and do pop in > to read from time to time. All my best to everyone! > > > > > > > > >
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