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New music for congregational singing

Written by Kevin Harper

Monday, 30 June 2008

I believe the music of a church has a lot to do with its spiritual growth and health. God gave us music for a reason, and we should use it to teach, inspire, and encourage.

Several people have asked about how to get copies of the music I brought to the campfire at Shaver Lake, so here goes.

First, I highly recommend getting a CCLI license. It is the easiest way to make your copies legal and fair to the songwriter, and in some cases, it's the only way to do so.

Getting a CCLI license

The way CCLI works, you can get a license based on the size of your congregation, then there are add-on services that allow you to do various things like print sheet music with four-part harmony, etc.

Apply for a church license. The fees are annual, and based on the size of your congregation. For 25-99 members, the cost is currently $101/year.
Once you get your license number (you can call them in a couple of days and get it before it arrives in the mail), create a login so you can search and download music.
Search for the music you want and make your copies.
Note that not all songs have sheet music available, but if you can find the sheet music in a song book or other source, your CCLI license allows you to legally photocopy it.

Using Sibelus Music

Some sheet music is available at SibeliusMusic.com. You'll need to download and install the Scorch plug-in for your browser, which is available for both PC and Mac.

If you don't want the expense of a CCLI license, you can just print copies at $1.50 each, if the song you want is available on Sibelius. I would recommend getting a CCLI license, however, so you'll have a greater selection of songs available. Then if sheet music is available only on Sibelius (as with Hallelujah), you only need to pay $1.50 for the first copy; your CCLI license covers all the additional copies.

Download sheet music

Sanctuary - CCLI #24140
Doesn't include the verses - contact me with your CCLI license # and I'll send you a PDF.
Hallelujah - CCLI #4740375 - Download on Sibelius
Doesn't include the "sing-ing" notes right before the chorus - contact me with your CCLI license # and I'll send you a PDF.
Lord, Reign in Me - CCLI #2490706
There's a better version for congregational singing, IMO. Contact me with your CCLI license and I'll send you a PDF.
Hide Me Away, O Lord - CCLI #2182870
Doesn't include sheet music - contact me with your CCLI license # for a PDF of an arrangement that I think works well for congregational singing.
Shout to the Lord - CCLI #1406918
The CCLI arrangement is pretty close to the one I have, but if you want one that fits on two pages rather than three, contact me with your CCLI license # and I'll send you a PDF.