Community choir music: while in my heart there swells a song

One of the real joys of directing or singing in a community choir is the sheer variety of people who come together with a common purpose.

While in my heart there swells a song and I can sing!

(text from ‘The Gift to Sing’ by James Weldon Johnson)  

The mix of voices, personalities and enthusiasm creates something very special. The challenge, of course, is finding music that is rewarding yet accessible, engaging for everyone in the room and designed to sound great without hugely demanding rehearsal time.  

At Choral Music Publishing we’ve published music perfect for a wide range of vocal groups including small and large community groups, and our catalogue includes a wealth of music that sits perfectly in the sweet spot for these wonderful choirs. Whether you’re looking for flexible part-writing, arrangements of familiar tunes or pieces that are simply fun to sing, there’s plenty to explore!

 

What makes a good community choral piece?  

Community choirs thrive on music that balances singability with satisfaction. A key element is the piece having immediate appeal through melody, harmony, rhythm or familiarity. Also accessible voice-ranges for community performers and flexible scoring, that works with smaller or larger forces.  

With those things in mind, I have picked out some highlights from our catalogue that work beautifully in community settings.

 

Choral Music Publishing suggestions

Our recent CMP publication A Birthday by composer Fiona Lander is a joyful short setting of a beautiful poem by Christina Rossetti suitable for any mixed or upper voice choirs. The melody line is incredibly lyrical and moves around the voice parts, which my mixed community choir loves.   

One of our most popular pieces is Suzzie Vango’s empowering piece Fly, designed for community choirs and offering flexibility in the three voice parts. The song delivers a powerful message about life, the hope of tomorrow being a brand new day, and being strong. For a three-part community choir concert you could easily pair with Roots by Hannah King that takes inspiration from the humble (but delicious) potato!  

Don Gillthorpe's choral setting of Puck's speech, If we shadows have offended from A Midsummer Night's Dream, is a three-part flexible piece with beautiful, flowing melodies. The piece is ideal for a nature or literary inspired programme. As is Amy Bebbington's An echo of the spheres (for SAB or SSA and piano) which sets a postcard by Lord Byron with complementary text by Amy. 

For a positive and lively ending to a concert or before an interval, Love makes the world go round by Oliver Tarney with lyrics by Mother Carrie Thompson embraces the themes of diversity, tolerance and respect in an up-beat (SATB and piano) song. In the true spirit of why we come together to make music, take a close look at The gift to sing by Mark Jordan for a more reflective part of your concert programme; this is especially good for choirs that want something a little more challenging (for them and their accompanist!). 

Inspiring seasonal choices for Community ensembles includes We will remember them by Jonathan Millican for Remembrance Day or other commemorations. To cinnamon spice up the Christmas season I suggest Glory, glory! by Andrew Groom and Charles Price, Katy Lavinia Cooper’s Kersland Street (While shepherds watched their flocks by night), The Holly and the Ivy by Baz Chapman, and Kim Porter’s Lullaby.

 

Why Community Choir music matters  

Music choices are at the heart of what makes each rehearsal and performance rewarding. The right piece can bring your singers together, create confidence and unlock a room full of energy. 

The Choral Music Publishing catalogue has been curated with ensembles of every level in mind, and our community choir-friendly titles are written with accessibility and enjoyment at their core. My thanks goes to our wonderful composers and librettists. 

So whether you’re choosing a concert programme, planning your seasonal music or just looking for your next “something uplifting” to keep rehearsals lively, take a browse through our collection. You’ll find arrangements that will get everyone singing together and a treat for your audiences. Explore our full catalogue here.

Ruth Evans, October 2025