Last-Minute Music Selections for Lent and Easter

Lent has started and Easter is quickly approaching! If you’re scrambling to find music selections for your church, don’t worry—there are tons of options available. Browse the list below to discover pieces that will work for the musicians at your church. Explore pieces for organ, handbell, choirs, and instrumentalists (with or without choral accompaniment). 

Choir

Our Savior Lives! (SATB, Congregation, Organ, Brass Quartet)

Our Savior Lives! is a majestic concertato featuring a triumphant brass quartet in the opening fanfare that continues to accompany the beautiful voices proclaiming “Alleluia!” again and again. 

Additional Music:

• Jesus, Refuge of the Weary (SATB, Organ, Optional C-Instrument) 
• On a Cross Uplifted High (SATB, Congregation, Organ, Trumpet)
• Since You Are Risen from the Dead (SATB)

Children's Choir

Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle (Two-part, organ or piano, optional tambourine)

Matthew Machemer’s new take on this classic hymn for Lent and Holy Week is set to the tune FORTUNATUS NEW. Part of the Concordia Children’s Series, the setting offers a quick, prance-like rhythm through the first and second stanzas. In stanza three, the movement slows as listeners reflect on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. With a difficulty level of easy-medium, this piece is appropriate for children of all ages.

Organ

Triumphant Gladness: Five Pieces for Organ

This collection from Jeffrey Blersch features settings for five popular Easter hymns, including “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia.” Each hymn has been given its own flourish and flair—listen for minuet, dance, fanfare, and pastorale styles. 

Additional Music:

• Good Friday Suite
• Lent Mosaics
• Notes of Gladness: Six Easter Hymn Settings for Organ
• Lent with Minimum Pedal
• My Redeemer Lives: Five Preludes for Easter

Handbell

Hallelujah! Jesus Lives! (3–5 octave handbells, optional 3-5 octave hand chimes, optional flute, level II+)

This enchanting arrangement is light, happy, and joyful. Flute carries the melody throughout the piece, while handbells echo using a variety of mallet and thumb-damping techniques. The middle section is slow and sorrowful, and the end finishes with a grand finale of martellatos and handbell shakes. Level II+. 

Additional Music:

• Go to Dark Gethsemane (3-5 octave handbells, 3-5 octave handchimes, level II)
• Meditation on “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (3–5 octave handbells; level III)
• Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands: Fantasy on an Easter Hymn (3–5 octave handbells; level III)
• Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia (3–5 octave handbells, level II)

Instrumentalists with Choir

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Congregation, Organ, Opt. 3–5 Octave Handbells, Opt. Brass Quartet or Quintet, Opt. Timpani, Opt. Cymbals)

Celebrate the Easter season with a festive hymn concertato from John Behnke. Stanza three highlights the choir alone, while stanza four includes a key change and descant featuring higher voices. Parts for congregation, organ, handballs, and optional brass, timpani, and cymbals make this hymn a memorable start or finish to worship.

Additional Music:

• O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Violin, SATB, piano)
• The Tree of Life (Optional C instrument, SATB, organ)
• The Tree of Life: Two-Part (Organ, optional C instrument)
• Now, Even Now, Declare a Fast (Two-Part or SATB, Organ, Optional instrument)

Instrumentalists without Choir

In Christ Alone: Contemplative Hymns for Piano (Piano)

Rachel Chapin combines old and new hymns with fresh harmonies in a modern style. These engaging settings are easily accessible and are appropriate for any church.

Additional Music:

• Easter Fantasy on Ancient Hymns for Brass Quintet and Organ (2 trumpets, horn in F, trombone, trombone as substitute for horn in F, tuba, organ)

As preparations for Lent and Easter worship continue, may God continue to bless to you and the musicians you work with during this busy Church Year season!

Use the links above to go directly to the page for each product, or click the button below to browse the entire selection.