O Come Let Us Sing (Chandos No 9)

"O Come Let Us Sing" is a magnificent chorus from George Frideric Handel’s Chandos Anthems, and it brings an undeniable sense of majesty to any choir loft. Right from the opening notes, it serves as a grand call to worship. The text, drawn from the Psalms, invites the congregation to lift their voices and "heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation." When a choir takes this on, the energy in the church immediately shifts—it is bright, confident, and full of festive joy.

Because of its triumphant mood, choirmasters often program this piece as an Entrance song for major feast days or as a standalone anthem during special celebrations. The vocal parts weave together in classic Handel fashion, tossing the phrase "let us heartily rejoice" back and forth until the whole sanctuary feels alive with praise. It requires stamina and clear diction from the singers, especially the sopranos who carry the soaring, repetitive melodic lines.

In the second half, the mood opens up further with the words, "Let us come before His Presence with thanksgiving." Here, the music feels like a joyful procession, urging everyone to show themselves "glad in Him with Psalms." It is a demanding piece to rehearse, but when the harmonies lock in and the final chords ring out, it leaves both the choir and the congregation uplifted and ready to celebrate the Mass.