for unison upper voices, solo violin, and organ or piano Bednall's beautiful setting of this much-loved prayer is warm, simple, and immediate. The vocal line is expertly lyrical and the accompaniment suitably supporting, with a serene line for solo violin that soars above the texture. Ave Maria was recorded by Benenden Chapel Choir, conducted by Edward Whiting, Jennifer Pike (violin), and David Bednall (organ) on the CD 'Stabat Mater' (Regent, REGCD481).

for SATB and organ/piano with optional congregation Paul Drayton's setting of three stanzas from Laurence Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen' is poignant, dignified, and atmospheric. A serene and expressive refrain for unison voices (which the congregation may join in if desired) is interposed between evocatively turbulent passages for SATB choir. The accompaniment should ideally be played on the organ, but may be performed on the piano if organ is not available.

These four splendid anthems were composed for the coronation of George II in October 1727 and have since retained a position at the heart of the English choral tradition. The popular anthem Zadok the priest has been performed at all subsequent coronations, and Handel's other contributions to the royal occasion - Let thy hand be strengthened, The King shall rejoice, and My heart is inditing - have the same majestic grandeur, with affecting contrasts between different sections of the sacred texts. The editor, Clifford Bartlett, has corrected various inconsistencies in Handel's score, and complete details of sources and editorial method, additional performance notes, and a critical commentary can be viewed in the companion full score available on hire. This continuo part is also available as part of the wind set.

for SATB unaccompanied This gentle anthem is built around a warm, hymn-like refrain, which gives way first to a free-flowing and expressive section and then to a more sombre section. With a Latin text from Ruth 1, this affecting piece with highly-expressive harmony will serve well for weddings, services, and concerts.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano The Music of Stillness is a beautiful and emotive setting of Sara Teasdale's poem 'There Will Be Rest'. Sonorously scored choral phrases conjure up images of 'stars shining, rooftops covered with snow, crystal peace...finding the music of stillness'. Following a serene opening, the piece rises and falls through both affecting climaxes and passages of great tranquility, ending with the same sense of stillness with which it begins.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This piece sets a poem by Amy Lowell, vividly conveying the effect of the wind through a moving tapestry of eighth notes/quavers intertwined between the different voices. The melody floats over this breeze-like ostinato, sometimes effervescent, sometimes reposed. The piece concludes much like it begins, with a sense of calm and restfulness towards the nocturnal journey.

for SA/SATB and organ with optional percussion This is a jaunty and original setting of the popular carol 'Rejoice and be merry', flexibly scored so that the tenor and bass parts are optional. It has been recorded by Tenebrae (conducted by Nigel Short) on the album A Very English Christmas (SIGCD902).

for SATB unaccompanied with hand drum Sing, my Child sets a joyful text celebrating the beauty found all around us in everyday life. Characterized by tight harmonies and a dynamic percussion line, the buoyant 7/8 metre of the opening drives the piece forward. Lush harmonies colour the hymn-like B section as the text evolves into a call for strength despite the troubles that may come. Commissioned for a mass choir of over 700 singers, this piece is well-suited for combined choir projects or as a rousing and meaningful close to a concert.

for SSAA unaccompanied, with optional handbells This compelling a cappella setting of Henry Van Dyke's poem has a continual sense of motion, created by the 7/8 metre and scat singing style that is passed around the parts. This is a powerful and uplifting anthem for general worship.

for SATB unaccompanied Following a collaboration with Katie Melua on her 2016 album 'In Winter', Bob Chilcott has made a choral arrangement of this traditional Ukrainian carol, first introduced to the English-speaking world as 'Carol of the Bells', with lyrics that link it to Christmas. Here the original is presented in Ukrainian and English, with haunting and atmospheric folk motifs distributed between the parts.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Setting two verses of the Irish traditional carol, Wilberg's version opens simply with unaccompanied unison men, before the piano creeps in gently. Upper voices take over and an imitative section leads to a more dramatic, thicker-textured section. The carol melody's slightly haunting, modal qualities are complemented by colourful harmonic touches, and a final statement of the melody in the piano brings the piece to a calm close. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have recorded this piece with orchestral accompaniment on the CD Hallelujah! (SKU 5157246).

for SATTBB unaccompanied With a text by the composer, this secular carol is a true celebration of all that we love about the festive season. Owain Park's arrangement presents a new take on this Christmas classic, drawing on Rutter's evocative orchestral colours to create this characterful and heart-warming arrangement for a cappella voices. This arrangement of The Very Best Time of Year has been recorded by The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, conducted by Stephen Layton, on the album Yulefest! (Hyperion, CDA68087).

Flute and harp parts for Bob Chilcott's easy and original setting of the well-known Rossetti text.

for SATTBB unaccompanied This lively and joyous arrangement of the folksong 'Montagnarde' from the Haute-Auvergne region of France makes playful use of the call of the cuckoo in a catchy refrain. 'Montagnarde' is featured on the Tenebrae CD Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars (Signum, SIGCD903).

for SATTBB unaccompanied Chilcott's arrangement of 'Viens par le pre', a folksong from the Haute-Auvergne region of France that presents a heartfelt expression of love, is tender and expressive, with rich, warm harmonies. 'Viens par le pre' is featured on the Tenebrae CD Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars (Signum, SIGCD903).

for SATB and piano A favorite text and tune of singers and listeners alike, this festival hymn is given new life in this lively and upbeat 7/8 setting. The central section is legato and chorale-like, making for a beautiful contrast, before a slow build with 'Alleluias' returns us to a reprise of the original flavour, creating an exciting and powerful ending.

for SATB (with divisions), cello, and piano This five-movement work celebrates the long Canadian winter, setting texts by the composer, Sara Teasdale, Lucy Maud Montgomery (of 'Anne of Green Gables' fame), and Melville Cane. Each movement depicts a different time of day, beginning with the cold darkness before dawn ('Timid Star') and concluding with the evening turning into dusk and then darkness ('Snow Toward Evening'). The music conjures up vivid images of a cold and crisp winter, and of swirling, dancing snowflakes.

for upper voices, SATB, and harp My Perfect Stranger is a captivating setting of Kevin Crossley-Holland's retelling of the Christmas story. Following an expectant prologue, the central movement is rich in characterization as soloists from within the choir take on the roles of key players in the narrative, with the upper voices adopting the role of the guiding star, as well as enriching the texture at important moments in the story. Beginning with the harp ostinato of the prologue, the epilogue asks the listener to reflect on the story we have heard, challenging us to consider the part we might have played and asking 'what have you to say and sing?'. The work's vibrant part for harp makes for a compelling alternative to the more conventional keyboard accompaniment.

for SATB unaccompanied and optional flute This warm and tender carol sets an evocative text by Norman Nicholson depicting Mary's gentle nurturing of her child. There is a beautiful simplicity in Chilcott's setting, which features sumptuous harmonies, lyrical melodies, and an optional part for flute that weaves in and out of the texture. The flute part is printed in the vocal score.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This reflective carol (setting a text by the composer) features an affecting recurring melody, sumptuous harmonies, and long, expressive phrases. Though it has moments of great intensity, the carol is primarily quietly optimistic in mood, with the homophonic texture and changing metre highlighting the heartfelt devotion of the text.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This spellbinding setting of words from Act 1, Scene 1, of Hamlet depicts a bird of dawning singing all night long in celebration of the Saviour's birth, with Shakespeare's characteristically evocative imagery heightened by Chilcott's artful word-setting. The harmonies are rich and the atmosphere hushed and expectant, with asoaring soprano solo line, which may be taken by a soloist from within the choir, evoking the birdsong.