The purpose of these categorized lists is to provide an introduction to the large catalog of music by Patricia Van Ness in a way that highlights selected pieces suitable for particular circumstances or constraints that commonly arise within church and concert programming: e.g., easy no-divisi anthems, pieces suitable for Christmas, etc.
The Van Ness catalog contains works suitable for nearly every performance circumstance, but as with all prolific composers, it can be a daunting task to know “where to start.” The hope is that the highlights on these lists will give starting places for exploring how Van Ness’s work could be a part of your programming.
Scores/recordings/further details about each piece can be found from the comprehensive catalog pages (“Works and Media”).
Short Sacred Choral Works (i.e., anthems) Suitable for Concert or Service Use
Unaccompanied SATB (no divisi) (Level: Easy)
Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris (2000)
Psalm 23 (2014)
Psalm 108 (2013)
Unaccompanied SATB (limited divisi) (Level: Easy)
Cor meum est templum sacrum (My Heart Is a Holy Place) (2001)
In oculis Dei (1996)
In the Very Air I Breathe (2006)
Joy Flows Down (2006)
Sparrow, Sparrow of the Evening (2006)
Unaccompanied SATB (no divisi) (Level: Intermediate)
Psalm 134 (2013)
Unaccompanied SATB (divisi) (Level: Intermediate)
Divine Love (2015)
Mandatum novum (2009)
O Pulcher, fons gratiae (1997)
Pentecost (1996)
Psalm 1 (2023–24)
Psalm 16 (2013)
Psalm 25 (2012)
Psalm 51 (2020)
Psalm 70 (2018)
Psalm 103 (2020)
Psalm 144 (2012)
Unaccompanied SATB (divisi) (Level: Advanced)
Psalm 31 (2013)
Psalm 114 (2014)
Psalm 126 (2020)
Psalm 130 (2015)
Unaccompanied Treble (SSAA, etc.) (Level: Easy)
Awakening (2013)
Come, Emmanuel (2005)
Epiphany (1996)
In principio (2002)
Unaccompanied Treble (SSAA, etc.) (Level: Intermediate)
Prayer for Peace (2005/18)
Psalm 40 and “Birdsong” by Rumi (2016)
Psalm 61 (2016)
Psalm 80 (2020)
Unaccompanied Treble (SSAA, etc.) (Level: Intermediate)
Nada te turbe (2006)
Psalm 27 (2013)
Psalm 55 (2016)
Psalm 107 (2013)
Unaccompanied Lower Voices (TTBB, etc.) (Level: Upper intermediate)
Psalm 3 (2015)
Psalm 57 (2016)
Unaccompanied Lower Voices (TTBB, etc.) (Level: Advanced)
Caritas (2005)
Advent/Christmas-themed
Advent (1997) (1997) [SATB divisi and strings]
Come, Emmanuel (2005) [SSA unaccompanied]
In principio (2002) [SSA unaccompanied]
Into Winter’s Glimm’ring Night (2012) [SATB divisi unaccompanied]
Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris (2000)
SATB with Organ (divisi) (Level: Lower Intermediate)
Grace (1999)
Psalm 29 (2018)
Psalm 150 (2017)
Secular Choral Works
SATB
Temple of Nature (2011)
Treble (SSAA, etc.)
Awakening (2013; wordless)
Movements #2 and #5 from The Voice of the Tenth Muse (1998)
Lower Voices (TTBB, etc.)
Iba die Stapflan (2009)
Medium-Scale (10–30 min.) Choral Works (SATB)
Advent (1997; strings)
Cor mei cordis (1994; unaccompanied)
Doxology Cantata (2011; chamber orchestra)
Large-Scale (30+ min.) Choral Works (SATB)
Five Meditations (1993)
Nocturnes (2000/08/16)
The Voice of the Tenth Muse (1998)
Psalms of Luminous Rescue (2018)
Requiem (2004)
Large-Scale Choral Works (Treble Voices)
The Nine Orders of the Angels (1996)
Solo Vocal Works
Individual Songs
My True Love (2023; solo soprano and strings or organ)
Psalm 5 (2018; soprano and string quartet)
Psalm 18 (2018; soprano and string quartet)
Psalm 83 (2022; soprano and organ)
Psalm 137 (2020; soprano and cello)
Psalm 145 (2013; soprano and keyboard)
Song Cycles
The Erminia (1997; solo voice and harpsichord)
O magna res (1998; solo tenor or soprano and instruments)
Red Sox Forever and Ever (2001/08/18; soprano, viola, and cello)
Tu Risa (1996; solo voice and guitar/harpsichord/piano)
Vocal Ensemble Works
Ab joi (2024; three treble voices with early instruments)
Evensong (1991; soprano, four tenors, and baroque instruments; or soprano, three four tenors, oboe, and organ)
The Phoenix (2002; soprano, baritone, and instruments)
Organ Works
Air (1998; flugelhorn or trumpet and organ)
Pastoral Suite (Seven Prayers) (2006)
Solo String Works
Four Violin Studies (2010)
String Ensemble/Orchestra Works
Requiem Transcriptions for Strings (2006)
Instrumental Ensemble Works
On Joy (2024; two violins, cello, and harpsichord)