Category: Choral

I am

SATB, splits up to SATTB

c. 3′

I am
for all eternity
the vigor of the God-head.
I do not have my source in time.

I am
the divine power
through which God decided and sanctioned the creation of all things.

I am
the reflection of providence for all.

I am
the resounding Word,
the It-Shall-Be
that I intone
with mighty power
from which all the world proceeds.

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)


If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Holy is the True Light

SATB, splits up to SSAATTBB

c. 2’40”

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022

Holy is the True Light, and passing wonderful,
lending radiance to them that endured in the heat of the conflict,
from Christ they inherit a home of unfading splendour,
wherein they rejoice with gladness evermore.
Alleluia!

G. H. Palmer, from the Salisbury Diurnal


If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God So Loved the World

This is an arrangement of the setting by John Stainer (1840-1901).

SATB

c. 5’30”

Commissioned by Joe Cryan and St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, for performance alongside Stainer’s Crucifixion

Performed by the Choir at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, directed by Joe Cryan, 2024

God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth in Him,
should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God is our Refuge

SATB, splits up to SSAATTB

c. 4’20”

Commissioned for Patrick Laban

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2024

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Come and see what the Lord has done. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth, he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Psalm 46:1-3, 8-10
Colossians 3:12

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God is Enough

SATB, splits up to SSAATBB

c. 4’40”

Commissioned for Raymond Warren and in memory of Roberta Warren, for a service of Choral Evensong celebrating 50 years of the Organ Scholarship at St Paul’s Church, Clifton

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir alumni, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022

Let nothing disturb you, 
Let nothing frighten you, 
All things are passing. 
God never changes. 
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing. 
God is enough.

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God be in my Head

This is an arrangement of the setting by Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941).

This is the version for SATB. If you would like to see the version for SSAA, please click here.

SATB

c. 2′

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025

God be in my head,
And in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;
God be at mine end,
And at my departing.

Richard Pynson’s Horae, 1514

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God be in my Head

This is an arrangement of the setting by Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941).

This is the version for SSAA. If you would like to see the version for SATB, please click here.

SSAA

c. 2′

Commissioned by the Music Department at Redmaids’ High School, Bristol

Performed by the Redmaids’ High School Chamber Choir, directed by Stephanie Harrison, 2021

God be in my head,
And in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;
God be at mine end,
And at my departing.

Richard Pynson’s Horae, 1514

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Father, we thank thee

SATB

c. 2’10”

Performed by Esther Bersweden, Alice Leonard, Josh Hutchinson and Liam Leonard, 2024

Father, we thank thee for the night,
and for the pleasant morning light;
for rest and food and loving care,
and all that makes the day so fair.

Help us to do the things we should,
to be to others kind and good;
in all we do, in work or play,
to grow more loving every day.

Rebecca J. Weston (1835-1895)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Down Hill on a Bicycle

SSAATTBB with two Solo Whistlers

c. 4’30”

Commissioned by the National Youth Choir, 18-25

With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.

Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart with a mighty lift
Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:-
‘O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.

*’Is this your joy, so wild?
O bird, then I, though a child,
For a golden moment share
Your feathery life in air!’

Say, heart, is there aught like this
**In a world of bliss?
‘Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.

Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;
Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,
My feet to the treadles fall.

Alas, that the longest hill
Must end in a vale; but still,
Who climbs with toil, wheresoe’er,
Shall find wings waiting there.

Henry Charles Beeching (1859-1919)

* In the original poem, these two lines read:
‘Is this, is this your joy?
O bird, then I, though a boy,

** In the original poem, this line reads:
In a world that is full of bliss?


If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Do Not Be Afraid

SATB with Soprano Solo, splits up to SSAATBB

c. 3’30”

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

You are precious and honoured in my sight, and I love you.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

Isaiah 43: 1b, 2, 4a, 5a

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.