Settings by Lawrence Hartzell

All Glory Be to God on High

Holy Trinity, Thanks and Praise to Thee

Jesus, Source of My Salvation

Meditation on “Innsbruck”

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Lawrence W. Hartzell (1942-2008), born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College and the University of Kansas, where he combined work in music theory, composition, and musicology. Dr. Hartzell taught at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 1968 to 1973, and at Baldwin-Wallace from 1973 to 2006. He was recognized for his scholarly research and excellence in teaching, and also chaired Baldwin-Wallace’s music theory department.

An expert on Ohio Moravian music, his book, Ohio Moravian Music, was published by Moravian Music Foundation Press in 1998. In addition to his scholarship and teaching, he was active as both a choral director and organist, holding the rank of Colleague of the American Guild of Organists.

Three of the five chorales on which these preludes are based are among those used in the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) to announce the death of a member of the congregation. Beginning in the eighteenth century, members of the church were organized into “choirs,” the term having nothing to do with singing but rather with one’s general age, sex, and marital status (group or “body”). At the death of a member, the brass band would announce their passing by playing three chorales, the first and third being the tune most recognized as O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, and the middle being the tune particularly associated with the “choir” of the departed brother or sister. Members of the congregation knew words associated with these tunes, by memory, and thus the playing of the tune called the words to mind, strengthening the faith, love, and hope of the members.

Loose-leaf or in booklet form.

Modulations for the Services of Holy Communion from the Moravian Book of Worship and supplemental Services for Holy Communion

When playing communion, this resource provides written out modulations for the organist or accompanist to play in between each of the hymns.

Even experienced organists who improvise will appreciate this loose-leaf collection, laid out, in order, for easy flow in worship.

Written modulation can be very helpful to those less comfortable with improvisation.

$15 + tax and shipping

This facsimile publication was first printed in 1984, two hundred years after its initial publication. It includes an extended introduction by Martha Asti, with a summary of Moravian history and church music, Gregor’s life, and a brief history of Moravian hymnody. Also included are Gregor’s original introduction, which was written as advice primarily for organists accompanying congregational song, in a clear and accurate translation by Karl Kroeger; and a study of sources for the Moravian tunes in the Choralbuch prepared by James Boeringer. This 2016 reprint includes a newly-prepared index of common tune names for many tunes included in the book, prepared by Barbara Strauss. (For instance, someone looking for SLEEPERS WAKE will find it referenced as tune 230 in the Choralbuch.)

The tunes in the Choralbuch are notated with soprano and bass parts along with figured bass, with the soprano part in soprano clef (not the modern treble clef).

All My Heart This Night Rejoices
Ryan Morrow

Christian Hearts, in Love United
Wade Peeples

Joy to the World
Brian Henkelman

Once He Came in Blessing
Rebecca K. Owens

What Brought Us Together
Ryan Morrow

Sing to the Lord a New Song: A New Moravian Songbook celebrates the musical gifts of today’s Moravian Church in North America.

Eighty all-new songs and hymns by 51 writers and composers, compiled by the Moravian Music Foundation, offer a glimpse at the creativity and spirituality that is alive and well in Moravian music. New liturgies for Servanthood, The Good Shepherd, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day and other reflections also included.

Includes music and guitar chords, so each song can be accompanied on keyboard and/or guitar; other instruments may be added to enrich the musical experience.

Spiral bound, with laminated full-color cover; 6″ x 9″; 148 pages.

T. Herrnhut
T. Covenant
T. Worship

by Rebecca Kleintop Owens, (now, Rebecca Kleintop Lepore)

© 2013, Moravian Music Foundation

12 pages

an original composition, incorporating Moravian hymn tunes.

Stewart McElroy, a native of Wisconsin, has played piano and organ in a variety of Protestant churches over the past 40+ years, including Lake Mills Moravian Church.

The various tunes represent the social order of the community as well as theology.

There is a tune for each “choir”, i.e., married men, married women, single men/women, children, widows, etc. Choirs were groups of like individuals who bonded in fellowship to enrich their lives and enhance their spiritual journeys.

In the modern Moravian Church, choirs have evolved into Women’s Fellowship, Youth Fellowship, and various service groups, etc.

The chorales are suitable for choir and/or congregational singing, or used simply as instrumental music.
See also, Moravian Band Chorale Books, which contain all Moravian funeral chorales, arr. for band instruments.