This rehearsal pack provides all of the material needed to help prepare the unison voices for a performance of Birdland, Bob Chilcott's engaging musical drama following the quest of Pip the Sparrow to be accepted into the Dawn Chorus. Along with a copy of the vocal score, the pack contains a photocopiable booklet containing the part for unison voices and lyric sheets for all of the movements in which the unison voices participate. In addition, you will find a unique access code for a companion website containing downloadable audio rehearsal tracks (performances) for the unison voices part, PowerPoint resources for teaching and rehearsing the unison voices, and PDFs of the unison voices part and lyric sheets for printing.

for SATB with piano and organ This is a substantial setting of the canticles of Mary and Simeon, suitable for performance in both concert and liturgical settings. The choral writing features fugal counterpoint and a chromatic soundworld rooted around the octatonic scale. The text is in English throughout, with occasional Latin interjections in the Magnificat. Notably, the choir is accompanied by both piano and organ, a combination that reflects the tradition of the Black American church in which the composer grew up, where both instruments were used simultaneously for almost all service music. The resulting timbral effect is quite unique, with the more percussive piano sound twinkling over the sustained organ writing. Bringing a fresh voice to an established genre, this setting presents a rewarding challenge for singers and the opportunity for congregations or audiences to appreciate familiar words in a new way.

for SSAATTBB unaccompanied The Island Itself is a setting of the poem Homage to Omey by Irish poet, Joan McBreen. The imagery of the sea conveyed in the text is reflected through lilting, syncopated rhythms. The melody is supported by a bed of ostinati sung with vocables. The swelling dynamics and long, held notes create an immersive wash of sound.

for SATB and orchestra Setting a well-loved medieval text, this effective piece paints the story of Jesus through lyrical melodies and beautiful harmonic surprises. The vocal lines offer both powerful intensity and skilful dialogue, and are supported by a pulsing orchestral accompaniment.

for SA and piano Commissioned by the English Montreal School Board Chorale for its 40th anniversary, Be like the bird sets an English translation of a text by Victor Hugo. Quartel uses lyrical melodies and rising sequences that reflect the uplifting message of the words, supported by a glittering piano accompaniment. A passage from the original French text is set to the same melody, before interweaving with the English text as a countermelody.

for SSA and piano In this poignant ballad Toby Young has set an adaptation of Emily Dickinson's poem My Letter to the World to heartfelt melodies with a pop-style piano accompaniment. The song reflects on the pain of being separated from loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic and the power that music has to unite us. A version for SATB and piano (ISBN 978-0-19-356693-4) is also available.

This short Missa brevis setting is perfect for choirs looking to bring a fresh soundworld to their worship. Each movement is distinct in character, but with an overall cohesiveness of harmonic language. A short communion introit, Hoc corpus, which is traditionally sung on Passion Sunday, follows the Mass setting.

for SABar and piano Show them you care ('cos it's Christmas) is a setting of an original text by Mark De-Lisser and Clare Dove in a pop ballad style. It conveys a heartfelt and powerful message that is perfect for Christmas concerts. The song includes solos from each vocal section and the voices are supported by a piano accompaniment enriched with extended and altered chords.

for SATB and organ or small orchestra This much-loved carol is presented with background information and helpful performance hints. Recognising the frequency with which this piece is performed with organ accompaniment, John Rutter has made an organ reduction of the orchestral material. Conductor's scores and instrumental parts are available on sale and on hire.

for SATB accompanied (piano or organ) and unaccompanied The Oxford Book of Choral Music by Black Composers is a landmark collection of non-idiomatic compositions from the sixteenth century to the present day, providing a comprehensive introduction to an area of choral music that has been historically under-represented. This unique anthology seeks both to improve representation in the historical canon and to showcase the music of some of the best names in choral music today.

for SSAATTBB unaccompanied A reflection on the plainchant antiphon 'Pulchra es et decora', this hauntingly beautiful piece was commissioned by ORA100 for Suzi Digby and ORA Singers. The original antiphon has been transcribed and included at the beginning, and may be used as an introduction. Porter's use of rich harmonies and rippling melismatic vocal lines make this an impassioned setting of a Marian text.

for SATB unaccompanied Edward Margetson was born in St. Kitts, British West Indies, immigrating to the United States in 1919. One of only a few published choral works by the composer, A few more years shall roll sets a hymn by Horatius Bonar that was written for his congregation to use on New Year's Day. Margetson's setting is characterized by imitation and powerful word-painting.

for SSAATTBB and piano Rebecca Dale's reimagining of Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus was commissioned for the second instalment of Sonoro's Choral Inspirations project. Dale has drawn upon the harmonic framework of the original setting, as well as playing with fragments of the well-known melodies. She cleverly sets this within a modern sound-world, supported by a rippling, arpeggiated piano accompaniment, original melodic material, and subtle layering of the divisi vocal lines.

for SSA and piano This uplifting work by American composer Reginal Wright sets a text by the nineteenth-century poet Arthur O'Shaughnessy. The powerful words are sung to a memorable melody embellished with syncopation and triplets. The voices are accompanied by rippling broken chords enriched with falling chromatic lines. A version for SATB and piano is also available.

The Oxford Book of Choral Music by Black Composers is a landmark collection of non-idiomatic compositions from the sixteenth century to the present day, providing a comprehensive introduction to an area of choral music that has been historically under-represented. This unique anthology seeks both to improve representation in the historical canon and to showcase the music of some of the best names in choral music today.

for SATB and piano. An upbeat setting of words by Charles Bennett celebrating the arrival of spring, Opening features changing metres, a compelling verse-refrain structure, and catchy melodies. A darker middle section mirrors the text's reflection on winter's snow and silence, before the music opens out into a final, joyful statement of the verse and refrain as the first signs of spring appear.

for SATB, unison voices, and organ This celebratory anthem sets Psalm 100 'O be joyful in the Lord' from the Book of Common Prayer and uses organ flourishes, dancing vocal melodies, and lively articulation to emphasize the exultant message of the text. Jubilate Deo was commissioned by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas, Texas and was premiered at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee concert in 2022.

for SSAA and piano Down the Silver Road is a comforting and uplifting setting of the poem To F.W. by Edith Franklin Wyatt, which describes the joy of growing old with a companion. It was premiered by the choir of Nazareth College, NY at a concert specifically for individuals living with Alzheimer's or other dementias and their families and caregivers. Alongside the flowing lyrical melodies, Quartel incorporates a simple vocal part that can be taught to audience members who may be encouraged to join in when it occurs.

for SSATB unaccompanied A Gaelic Blessing was commissioned by the University of Edinburgh, McDowall's alma mater, for performance by the Edinburgh University Singers conducted by Calum Robertson. This meditative, folk-style anthem is given a Scottish lilt through the use of Scotch snap rhythms and held drone-like vocal lines. The text is a traditional Scottish Gaelic blessing, translated by the Right Reverend Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld, and Dunblane. McDowall chose this text for the 'warmth and simplicity' of the words that seem to 'resonate with the times in which we live'.

for SATB and organ Simon Biazeck has artfully arranged Dyson's Evening Service in C minor for mixed voices, transposing the work up a tone to better suit the SATB vocal ranges. The arrangement is engaging and eminently singable, allowing this staple of the repertoire to reach new choirs and audiences.

for SATB (with divisions) and organ Density of light is an anthem that sets an evocative hymn by Thomas Troeger. The text is drawn from an Epiphany reading and explores the theme of the triumphing of light over darkness. The organ opens with a rising and falling quaver motif that is taken and expanded upon in the vocal lines. Expanding into dramatic homophonic textures, the piece ends with the words 'glory be to you O God' sung to powerful fortissimo chords.

SATB and piano, with optional bass and drum kit This dynamic collection presents four jazzy settings of favourite madrigals by Thomas Morley, John Bennet, and Orlando Gibbons. The first, 'Sing we and Chant it', is a relaxed jazz waltz with a compelling melody, and singers will especially revel in the rich harmonies of the expressive 'Weep, O mine eyes' setting that follows. 'Learned Poets' has a bossa nova feel with a strong rhythmic groove and characterful syncopations, and the urgent rolling tempo of movement four captures the text's calamity and titular call of 'Fire, fire!', also expressed by a walking bassline that continually drives towards the work's emphatic conclusion. The stylistic piano part may be played as written or serve as a guide, and a bass and drum kit part is available separately for trio accompaniment.

for SATB and piano This uplifting work by American composer Reginal Wright sets a text by the nineteenth-century poet Arthur O'Shaughnessy. The powerful words are sung to a memorable melody embellished with syncopation and triplets. The voices are accompanied by rippling broken chords enriched with falling chromatic lines.

for SATB unaccompanied Bob Chilcott has composed O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen, a reflection on the 16th-century piece of the same title by William Byrd, for the occasion of Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Chilcott uses the same text and some melodic ideas from Byrd's original piece, while developing and embellishing them with rich harmonic language and changing metre.

for SATB unaccompanied In Grown about by fragrant bushes, Skempton sets a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson using gentle, lilting melodies. The theme of loss is sensitively conveyed in a tonal language that is made more expressive through the use of chromaticism. The voices move homophonically throughout and changing time signatures aid the movement of the piece.