I've written several “Top 50” posts like this one with anthem recommendations for the small church choir (here and here) and children's choirs (here), but today's post is specifically for youth choirs.
Youth are often looking for life-changing experiences—things that will empower them. Choir and the music you sing can offer words and meaning to go with those experiences.
Look carefully at the text, listen for beauty and singability in the musical lines, and look for teachable moments (life, faith, and music).
The anthems in this post range from unison/2-part to SATB, depending on the age of your singers, the size of your choir, and their ability to sing in parts. The nice thing is that many of these anthems are available in a variety of different voicings (marked with *), so you have a little more flexibility!
Here are my top 50 anthems for youth choir:
Top 50 Favorite Anthems for Youth Choir
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Unison/2-part
1. A Psalm of Thanksgiving (Shaw)
2. Song of Joy, Song of Praise (arr. Brighton)
3. In Thee Is Gladness (Costello)
4. Te Deum (Bedford)
5. Soon and Very Soon (arr. Schrader)*
6. Prayer for Peace (Cherwien)
SAB
7. Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel (arr. Emerson)*
8. I Must Tell Jesus (arr. Shackley)*
9. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (arr. Miller)
10. Ubi Caritas (Johnson)*
11. Come, Come Unto Me (Dosso)
12. Pie Jesu (Lightfoot)*
13. Who Will Be a Witness (arr. Moore)*
14. Gathered As One (Tate)
15. We Are Singing for the Lord is Our Light (Hopson)*
16. Prayer of the Children (arr. Hayes)*
17. Gather by the River to Pray (arr. Choplin)*
18. African Alleluia (arr. Harlan)
19. Walk This Lonesome Valley (arr. Schram)*
20. Canon of Praise (Sleeth)
21. Christ Is Born (Miller)
22. Do You Hear What I Hear (arr. Simeone)*
23. We Are Called (arr. Hayes)*
24. Sing Jubilate Deo (Estes)*
25. Clap Your Hands and Sing! (Lightfoot)*
SATB
26. Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name (arr. Dennard)*
27. Praise His Holy Name (Hampton)
28. I Believe (Miller)
29. Shepherd Me, O God (arr. Hayes)
30. Order My Steps (arr. Schrader)*
31. River in Judea (arr. Leavitt)*
32. Search With All Your Heart (Miller)
33. Inscription of Hope (Stroope)*
34. Joyful, Joyful (from Sister Act 2) (arr. Emerson)*
35. African Noel (arr. Johnson)*
36. Tidings of Joy (arr. Larson)*
37. O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (arr. Miller)
38. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (arr. Koerts)
39. 10,000 Reasons (arr. Larson)*
40. Christ Has Broken Down the Wall (Miller)
41. Glory, Hallelujah! (arr. Shackley)
42. Love Has Come (arr. Larson)
43. God Has Work For Us to Do (Miller)
44. Uyai Mose [Come, All You People] (arr. Holland)
45. Keep God's Light (Patterson)
46. Christmas Bells (arr. Larson)*
47. Come Just as You Are (arr. Harlan)
48. Come to the Water (arr. Hasseler)
49. Soli Deo (Waggoner)
50. The Storm Is Passing Over (arr. Baker)
* = alternate voicings available
I’d love to hear from you:
What are your favorite youth choir anthems?
Read more:
Top 50 Favorite Anthems for the Small Church Choir
Tips for Working with Middle School Youth Choirs
Fifty (More!) Favorite Anthems for the Small Church Choir
