I love discovering new and fresh arrangements of familiar hymns, especially ones that are musical and really creative. Amazing Grace is one of those well-beloved hymns that have a special place in my heart. What a powerful message it carries! To learn the backstory of this hymn you can watch this short video, or if you want the Hollywood’s take on it, then you can watch this film by Michael Apted.
Trying to find the perfect arrangement of Amazing Grace for your church’s next virtual worship? Try these 22 settings for vocal solo, duets and choir of this hymn.
22 Vocal Settings of Amazing Grace
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Vocal Solo
With a new melody and beautiful harmonies this is an expressive and poignant setting of John Newton’s words.
From Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Volume 1: 11 Folk Songs Arranged for Solo Voice and Piano… For Recitals, Concerts and Contests. Expertly crafted for solo voice and piano.
From Songs for the Journey by Dan Forrest and Craig Courtney. Choral works adapted for solo voice and piano in this marvelous collection. Available in three vocal ranges, it offers songs for all seasons of the church year, including familiar hymns and newly composed solos. A fine choice for worship and recital settings.
From Music for the Master. This collection of nine hymn settings for medium voice and keyboard contains some of the church’s best loved hymns. Tastefully arranged by Craig Courtney, the accompaniments are well within the capabilities of most church musicians and will be a pleasure to be heard by the congregation as well as performed by soloist and accompanists.
ARR. BY JOHN NESS BECK & CRAIG COURNEY
Following the phenomenal success of the vocal collection Sacred Songs of John Ness Beck, Craig Courtney has transcribed ten of John Ness Beck’s choral hymn settings for medium voice and keyboard. Certain to become a standard in sacred vocal literature, there is something here for every season of the year. Tastefully and carefully transcribed, the selections have instant appeal to singer and accompanist, as well as to the congregation.
From American Folksongs with 35 superb concert arrangements from the American heritage are contained in this must-have collection. These interesting and expressive settings are appropriate for collegiate recitals or advanced high school singers as contest solos. The collection is primarily comprised of secular folksongs, with a few sacred American folk tunes. The same songs appear, transposed, in the editions for High Voice and Low Voice. There are three bonus duets. Includes fresh arrangement of Amazing Grace.
From 10 Contemporary Hymn Arrangements. These are fresh, inventive arrangements for voice and piano in a Contemporary Christian spirit. These familiar hymn favorites are given creative treatments that flatter both the singer and the pianist. This is excellent material for church services. The voice ranges are fairly modest, with the High Voice edition extending to F and very occasionally to G; the Low Voice range is normally up to D. The style of the arrangement would suit a popular singing style, or a classically trained singer could easily adapt to them.
Vocal Duet
From Contemporary Classics for Two Voices. This collection of ten contemporary classic hymns arranged for two medium voices continues Lloyd Larson’s successful series of vocal duets. Includes Cris Tomlin’s Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).
From Classic Hymns for Two Voices. Lloyd Larson offers a few favorite classic hymn arrangements that are perfect for any sacred church setting.
Learn more about this hymn
Need resources to teach this hymn to your congregation? Head over to our online hymnal to explore more resources
Choir
Craig Courtney’s original melody on the beloved John Newton text is every bit as beautiful as the familiar tune. Expressive and richly harmonized, the anthem also includes original lyrics that contemplate the wonder of Christ’s sacrifice for each individual sinner. A supportive yet soloistic piano accompaniment heightens the emotion of the work, bringing a depth of meaning to worship achieved by few other anthems. Available in three voicings (SATB, SSAA, TTBB) this is music of the highest caliber.
The well-known text is paired with an original melody in this lovely new setting. An elegant piano accompaniment adds to the rhapsodic nature of the piece in this fresh and interesting treatment. The work explores a variety of choral textures before ending quietly on a perfect unison. Absolutely beautiful!
This is a simple and gentle setting of the popular American folk hymn. Beginning softly with the sopranos accompanied by piano/harp in the first verse, Rutter explores a wide variety of textures, building to a powerful final verse before ebbing away in a poignantly quiet close.
The harmonic language of this setting of Amazing Grace portrays a feeling of mystery and awe. Completely original music is matched with this most familiar text to create an experience that feels both familiar, but simultaneously transports the listener to someplace new. Very meaningful. Also available in digital download.
Not for the faint of heart, this remarkable a cappella setting of the beloved folk hymn offers a rewarding challenge for better choirs. Brimming with colorful harmonies and surprising shifts in tonality, it is truly stunning! Also available in digital download.
From the opening drone of bagpipes, the long sustained pedal point, the creative instrumental interludes, and the field drum part in the closing verse, this arrangement reflects the signature arranging style of Mack Wilberg. The choral writing begins simply with the men in unison and adds a coloristic element with each subsequent verse. This is a creative and inspiring arrangement of one of the most beloved hymns of all time. Moving! Also available in digital download.
This beloved hymn text is set to LAND OF REST with a brief but lovely a cappella section incorporating the traditional NEW BRITAIN melody. The engaging piano accompaniment is enhanced by an optional violin part. This breathtaking new arrangement invites listeners into an intimate retelling of God’s expansive grace and is sure to become a favorite with your choir and congregation.
A beautiful setting of the beloved hymn! A simple piano accompaniment provides underlying movement, which paired with lovely lines for cello and violin, add a lush foundation to the well-crafted vocal lines. The traditional NEW BRITAIN melody is singable, yet presented in a very moving arrangement.
Flute, oboe, and hand drum introduce and accompany this SATB a cappella setting that pairs Newton’s traditional text with the tune GREENVILLE, an American melody in flowing 6/8 meter. The vocal parts are often spare and elegant, almost in a Shaker style. A key change leads to the final, almost rollicking verse.
While largely staying true to the beloved NEW BRITAIN tune, this fresh arrangement offers new textures and a variety of voicing throughout the hymn, culminating in a triumphant final verse.
2-Part
Here is a marvelous pairing of Amazing Grace with the beloved baroque classic, Pachelbel’s Canon! The baroque canon accompanies as the voices sing Amazing Grace in 4/4. Opening with unison voices, it flows easily to rich part writing, closing in inventive counterpoint with the canon bass line, the Amazing Grace melody, and a soaring soprano descant Alleluia. Inventive and very creative!
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