Free harmony arrangements

are often used to enhance the
"unison verses" of hymns.

Their use depends upon the confidence of the congregation in holding the melody, the strength of the choir and the ability of the organist.

Many free harmonies are improvised by competent organists to suit the occasion and the conditions. These are frequently the most effective!
[Dr. Jack Peters, a former Organist and Master of the Choristers at the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Adelaide, South Australia was a brilliant exponent of the improvised free harmony. Here is a MIDI version of one of the few he actually wrote out. Adeste Fideles ended the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, 1957, a truly thrilling occasion!]

The following are offered as examples (by C.F. Boyd) and a MIDI version of each
is playable from the link displayed. Click on the symbol to view the score.
All scores are available in print quality by eMail request.

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Abridge (0:30) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Armageddon (1:20) - - - - - - - - - - -

Bethany (0:46) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bristol (0:24) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brookfield (0:28) - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bullinger (0:25) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Culbach (0:24) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Darwell's 148th (0:35) - - - - - - - - -

Deep Harmony (0:33) - - - - - - - - -

Drakes Broughton (0:22) - - - - - - -

Duke Street (0:28) - - - - - - - - - - - -

Epiphany Hymn (0:34) - - - - - - - - -

Franconia (0:23) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hanover (0:31) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Irish (0:30) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Just as I am (0:29)- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Laus Deo (0:44) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lobe den herrn (J.V.Peters) (0:43)-

Mannheim (0:33) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Merton (0:22) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Neander (0:31) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

North Coates (0:24) - - - - - - - - - - - -

Paderborn [Canonic] (0:35) - - - - - - -

Paderborn [2] (0:33) - - - - - - - - - - - -

Pastor Pastorum (0:21) - - - - - - - - - -

Pax Tecum(0:22) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Penlan (0:46) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Richmond (0:26) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ruth (0:39) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

St. Stephen (0:46) - - - - - - - - - - - - -

St. Aelred (0:32) - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

St. Magnus (0:24) - - - - - - - - - - - - -

St. Thomas (0:25) - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tell me stories of Jesus (0:42) - - - -

University College (0:24) - - - - - - - -

Will your anchor hold? (0:45) - - - - -

-oOo-

Some of the above free harmonies
were written for the choir and congregation
at St. Richard of Chichester, Lockleys and
played on the Fincham extension organ.

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