The Oxford Book of Flexible Anthems: A complete resource for every church choir (Flexible Anthologies)

Like everyone, our choir finds itself short, particularly of men [I, for example, am "the tenors"], and this book has taken us to a much more sustainable level. Scored mainly for "S/A/Men", the music is a rich mix of the traditional [Franck "Panis Angelicus", Faure "Pie Jesu"] and the new [Rutter "A Clare Benediction", Archer "Brightest & best of the sons of the morning"] which we've found we're able to pick up, rehearse for a short time, and sing no matter who turns up.I sometimes regret the lack of a tenor part, but only briefly, because I know they're getting on OK even though I'm not there! You won't regret buying this book for your choir: you may not throw all your other music out, but this will give you music that your choir can rely on for variety and minimal rehearsal commitment.

This book is described as being the "perfect resource for church choirs of all types and sizes", offering flexible scoring options for both mixed and single voice choirs. My wife used it when singing with the (usually) all female and (usually) two part choir/ensemble at Zamalek Cathedral in Cairo and can testify to its effectiveness and, indeed, to its utter flexibility, delivering absolutely what its title promises. The book cannot really be accused of "dumbing down", offering works by Elgar and Liszt and other classical composers as well as more modern pieces by the likes of the inevitable John Rutter and the author/compiler himself. If you require a choir book offering complete flexibility without lowering standards, I would look no further.

This set of books we recently bought is exactly what was needed by what is left of our choir. We used to have a small but good four-part choir, but those days are long gone, and this book has given our now mainly unison group the opportunity to continue to sing anthems on a regular basis. If there is any drawback it is that the book doesn't stand open very well on the music desk and it's not good for page turns, but copyright laws allow you to make copies to avoid awkward page turns so I can get around that.

Like the range, including some more challenging anthems, and the spread across the year. Appreciate the number, although this comes with the downside that in the paperback version it is difficult to lay flat. Unfortunately they are sufficiently attractive for two copies to be nearly immediately lost to us. Good for a smaller choral group.

We are using this for our Church choir and it is very useful as the arrangements are very flexible and allow for small choirs as well as unexpected absences from practices. Very good value for money

This book was a requirement of the church choir and is being well used. The only thing that I might change is to order one with a spiral binding because sometimes I have to photocopy a page so that I can highlight parts or write on it. I do not like writing in the book. A good price.

Do you sing in a choir which frequently misses one or more of the harmony parts? Do you only have 3 people in your choir? Do you enjoy singing quality music despite these handicaps? Then get this anthem book. It it full of ideas for choirs who cannot sing SATB every week, and includes some high quality new stuff suitable for modern worship. In short, it's called "The Oxford Book of Flexible Anthems" because that's what it is - a book of excellent music which is totally adaptable to any combination of singers. Our small choir is delighted to have discovered it.

If you have a small church choir this is God send. Great musical items sympathetically arranged but also giving parts a challenge too. Fantastic... More please!