Top 20 Contemporary Music Resources

Church Music

Aug 3

Maybe you’ve had this conversation in a staff meeting recently:

How can we begin incorporating more contemporary music into our services
Where do we find this music?
Who can sing/play/lead it?

Previously, I wrote a post, "Contemporary Music for Traditional Congregations," which included practical suggestions and a list of 20 accessible contemporary songs for more traditional worship.

In this post, I'm sharing a round-up of contemporary music resources: places to listen to and download individual songs (lead sheets, chord charts, instrumental parts, choral scores, etc.), where to find lyrics, and several useful collections for choir, praise team, and congregational use.

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Contemporary Music Resources: Websites

Looking for a specific song? Need instrumental parts and flexible key options? These websites are for you—designed to let you pick and choose which songs and parts (piano, vocal, instrumental, rhythm, solo instrument, etc.) you purchase and download.

01 | Praise Charts

One of the most popular sites for downloading lead sheets and chord charts, Praise Charts has an extensive collection of contemporary music for worship. Listen to audio clips, see lyrics, choose from several key options, and download lead sheets/chord charts/rhythm charts (with permission to print up to 5 copies), audio tracks, orchestra or choir parts (where applicable), and Finale files.

02 | CCLI

Most of you are probably familiar with CCLI and may already have a basic license. SongSelect is an add-on service (a paid subscription in addition to your basic license) featuring transposable chord sheets, lead sheets and vocal sheets, lyrics, and audio samples.

03 | Lifeway

Lifeway offers a digital catalog of traditional and contemporary hymns, praise choruses, and worship songs on its website. Here, you can search for music, listen to audio recordings, see music previews, purchase, and download to print. Some songs also include instrumental parts (saxophone, guitar, cello, flute, horn, percussion, trumpet, trombone, violin, etc.)

04 | Sheet Music Plus

Sheet Music Plus features over 22,000 contemporary music products, ranging from lead sheets to instrumental and vocal arrangements to choral pieces. The majority are available as instant downloads.

05 | Music Notes

Though perhaps more well-known for its collection of pop music, Music Notes also includes a variety of contemporary worship music. This is a great option if you're looking for a notated piano accompaniment, as your purchase includes 1 digital copy + 1 print (extra cost for each additional print). Each piece includes transposition options, various arrangements (easy piano, piano/vocal/chords, choir + piano), and a score preview with a MIDI audio clip.

Contemporary Music Resources: Collections

Hymnal supplements, songbooks, and other collections are a simple, cost-effective way to build a library of contemporary music. Here are a few you might consider:

06 | Roll Down Justice

This collection by Mark Miller includes 23 reproducible congregational parts and a demo CD.

07 | iWorship - Chord Chart Edition CD-ROM

This iWorship collection includes 130+ printable contemporary song chord charts.

08 | The Faith We Sing

This hymnal supplement features modern hymns, contemporary music, world music, spirituals, and Taize music. Includes copyright permission to reproduce single items for worship or educational purposes.

09 | Worship & Song

Released in 2011, this supplement features 190 old and new hymns, contemporary songs, and multicultural and ethnic songs + over 225 prayers, litanies, and statements of faith. You can also download individual song packs (includes accompaniment edition, singer's edition, pew edition, and PowerPoint slides) for an additional fee.

10 | Worship Solos for Singers, High Voice

Ten contemporary worship favorites for general worship, arranged for high voice and piano. Includes CD with piano accompaniments. Also available for Low Voice.

11 | More Songs for Praise and Worship: 55 Favorites

A series of books featuring a variety of contemporary music scored for piano/vocal/guitar.

12 | More Hymns, Pipes & Praise

This solo organ collection features hymns blended with popular praise songs, expertly arranged by Anna Laura Page.

13 | Contemporary Worship Classics

A collection of 10 pieces for solo piano, arranged by Mark Hayes.

14 | Sanctuary Praise & Worship: Blended Worship Resource for Congregation, Choir, and Praise Team

This resource includes reproducible instrumental parts, lyric sheets, and PowerPoint files.

15 | Ring Praise to the Lord

This collection by Lloyd Larson features seven creative arrangements of contemporary music favorites, written for 2- or 3-octave handbells or handchimes. Level 2.

16 | Twelve Bells for Praise and Worship

Part of the popular Twelve Bells series by Patricia Sanders Cota, this collection includes six arrangements written for treble clef only, C5-G6. They can be used for 3 to 6 ringers.

17 | Praise and Worship for Classical Piano

A great solo piano collection to keep on hand, featuring 15 beautiful arrangements by Phillip Keveren.

18 | Pocket Praise and Worship Chords

This small resource is packed with value: The 200 most popular praise and worship songs on the CCLI list, arranged for guitar or keyboard.

Contemporary Music Resources: Free

Some of these groups are more well-known than others, but regardless, you may find a few original songs that work for your congregation and worship services. Plus, they're free!

19 | Red Mountain Music

Original, contemporary settings of old hymn texts (free downloadable lead sheet songbook).

20 | Indelible Grace

A vast collection of original contemporary songs and arrangements of hymns (free demo tracks, lead sheets, chord charts, and piano accompaniments, where applicable).