Sacred Song Sisters: Choral and Solo Vocal Church Music by Women Composers for the Lenten Revised Common Lectionary

This document explores sacred music by women composers for the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) of the Catholic and Christian churches. The study researches exclusively choral and vocal solo music by women composers for the church season of Lent. Other primary limitations include music in English, and music from the nineteenth century to the present. The main question answered in this document is: what sacred music has been published by women composers that may be programmed in church services? This question is answered in the included appendices. These appendices list the music by women composers appropriate for the specific RCL readings for each Sunday of Lent, as well as the holidays of Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. There are also appendices of choral and solo vocal pieces that are generally appropriate for the Lenten season. Every attempt was made to be as thorough as possible in identifying this music, with the understanding that no one compilation of this kind can ever be complete. Additionally, selected works by six composers are explored in this document: Emma Lou Diemer (b. 1927), Arletta O’Hearn (b. ca 1928), Jane M. Marshall (1924 – 2019), Rebecca Clarke (1886 – 1979), Violet Archer (1913 – 2000), and Undine Smith Moore (1904 – 1989). These composers are representative of the variety of styles, diversity, history, and levels of musical complexity within this body of music.

ISBN: 9798662554733