for SATB (with divisions) and organ This jubilant carol sets a fifteenth-century text that rejoices in the birth of the baby Jesus. Bednall's rhythmically exciting setting features frequently changing time signatures, with 7/8 passages creating a jaunty feel. There are a variety of tempi and textures: a slower, tender middle section contrasts with the lively outer sections, and an unaccompanied section for the choir is juxtaposed against glittering, rhythmic organ passages. An ideal opener for any Christmas Carol concert, the work is featured on the Choir of Truro Cathedral's CD A Year at Truro (Regent Records).

for SATB unaccompanied This warm and expressive carol sets a Christmas poem by English poet U. A. Fanthorpe that centres on the moment of Christ's birth. Fleeting unisons call the listener's attention to the focal point of the text, the 'moment', and the rich, luminous harmonies create a sense of wonder at this momentous event.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied The text for this arrangement of the second of William Walton's Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V' is based on the line 'Touch her soft mouth, and part' from Shakespeare's Henry V (Act 2, Scene 3). Featured on the Tenebrae Consort's CD Sun, Sea, Moon and Stars (released January 2016), this melancholic setting is simple yet highly effective.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Helvey's skilful arrangement of the popular hymn by American Baptist minister Robert Wadsworth Lowry is joyous and affirmatory. The anthem is suitable for performance throughout the liturgical year, and the sweeping melodies, contrasting textures, and rich harmonies complement the celebratory nature of the text.

for SATB double choir and piano or small ensemble Another winning collaboration between Bob Chilcott and author Charles Bennett, this work was commissioned by Age UK Oxfordshire as part of a project to highlight and combat loneliness. The singers assume the role of narrator, guiding the listener on a journey made by boat, with nine choral songs presenting their own stories within this larger excursion. The outer movements provide a watery framework with rippling figures and gentle choral waves. An air of nostalgia pervades 'My father's boat' and 'What we did on our holiday', while the central songs use naval and meteorological imagery to speak of some of life's difficulties. Soliloquies between the choral songs highlight a variety of solo instruments, but these may be omitted if performing with piano.

for SSA and piano This playful song sets the famous 'Beautiful Soup' poem from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in a suitably tongue-in-cheek manner. With lilting rhythms, intertwining lines, and opportunities for portamento, Beautiful Soup will make an enjoyable addition to any concert programme.

for SSA and piano As She Goes sets words by the composer on a reflective yet inspirational theme ('We were born to fly, but your wings come without a trial run'), against the backdrop of images from the natural world. The choral lines are simple and melodic, drawing on the sound-world of the folksong 'My Love's An Arbutus', which opens the work. Ideal for adult and youth upper-voice choirs, as well as children's choruses.

for SATB and piano As Joseph was a-walking is a lilting and uplifting setting of the well-known traditional text about the prophecy of Christ's birth, as received by Joseph from an angel. The accessible musical language, with interesting harmonic inflections, and attractive piano writing makes this an appealing choice for Christmas concerts and services.

In recent decades, cognitive neuroscience research has increased our understanding of how the brain learns, retains, and recalls information. At the same time, social psychologists have developed insights into group dynamics, exploring what motivates individuals in a group to give their full effort, or conversely, what might instead inspire them to become free loaders. Art and Science in the Choral Rehearsal explores the idea that choral conductors who better understand how the brain learns, and how individuals within groups function, can lead more efficient, productive, and enjoyable rehearsals. Armed with this knowledge, conductors can create rehearsal techniques which take advantage of certain fundamental brain and social psychology principles. Through such approaches, singers will become increasingly engaged physically and mentally in the rehearsal process. Art and Science in the Choral Rehearsal draws from a range of scientific studies to suggest and encourage effective, evidence-based techniques, and can help serve to reset and inspire new approaches toward teaching. Each chapter outlines exercises and creative ideas for conductors and music teachers, including the importance of embedding problem solving into rehearsal, the use of multiple entry points for newly acquired information, techniques to encourage an emotional connection to the music, and ways to incorporate writing exercises into rehearsal. Additional topics include brain-compatible teaching strategies to complement thorough score study, the science behind motivation, the role imagination plays in teaching, the psychology of rehearsal, and conducting tips and advice. All of these brain-friendly strategies serve to encourage singers' active participation in rehearsals, with the goal of motivating beautiful, inspired, and memorable performances.

for TTBB and piano Like the original version for SATB voices, this new male-voice arrangement of Wide Open Spaces reflects on the journeys and adventures to be found in the wide opens spaces within ourselves and in the world around us. The uplifting melody is passed from the tenors to the baritones before the piece opens out into an expansive texture with rich harmonies. Quartel introduces a playful episode of scat singing before a resolute final chorus brings this evocative piece to a peaceful and serene close.

for SATB unaccompanied This setting of the well-known fifteenth-century text Lullay, my liking is both simple and effective. With enchanting solos and a gentle choral refrain, this tender carol will bring a moment of stillness and reflection to Christmas concerts and services.

for SATB and piano or organ First published in Carols for Choirs 5, this is a beautiful and touching setting of the well-known fifteenth-century words. The contours of Stroope's melodic writing perfectly mirror the narrative from the manger scene, while the simple refrain highlights the Christ-child's innocence as his mother lulls him to sleep.

for SSAATTBB unaccompanied Ave gloriosa mater salvatoris is a challenging and yet delicate anthem, with subtle key-signature changes, vocal divisions in up to eight parts, and alternating homophonic and polyphonic passages. The text includes excerpts from the synonymous medieval hymn and Wordsworth's poem The Virgin, making the piece suitable for a variety of sacred celebrations and particularly those of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

for SATB and piano Composed in celebration of David Willcocks's 95th birthday, Jonathan Willcocks sets a suitably uplifting traditional text from Cornwall, the county of his father's birth. Telling the story of the shepherd's and wise men's visits to Jesus, this carol is both joyous and sprightly, and would be suitable for both Christmas and Epiphany.

for upper voices, optional narrator, and piano or strings and piano Five Shakespeare Songs brings together the work of the late Sir David Willcocks ('England's choir master') and the Bard, in a suite of well-loved upper-voice pieces with favourite texts, optional readings, and music of unsurpassed charm. With accompaniments for piano or for strings and piano, the songs can be performed with a newly discovered accompaniment for piano quintet. The effect is a concert piece worthy of the world's stage.

for SATB and organ with optional congregation Perfect for celebrating Pentecost, this joyous anthem on the theme of the Holy Spirit centres around the Veni Creator Spiritus plainchant, fragments of which have been skilfully developed to create an expressive setting of Edwin Hatch's Breathe on me, breath of God. Masterfully crafted, the anthem moves seamlessly between the familiar plainchant and Bullard's original melody, before culminating in a climactic final verse in which the two melodies are sung simultaneously, bringing the anthem to an exultant close.

for SATB and organ or piano Horatius Bonar's well-known hymn Beloved, let us love is a perfect text for wedding services, expressing the belief that it is only through loving others that we can know God's love for us. Bullard's celebratory and emotive setting begins by offsetting male and female voices, before exploring full-choir textures, rich harmonies, and contrasting keyboard accompaniments. Both affirmatory and exultant and reflective and wondrous, the anthem should find a place in church services and concerts throughout the year.

for SSATB unaccompanied Setting part of a Eucharistic hymn text by Thomas Aquinas, Adoro te devote is a beautiful, devotional piece suitable for liturgical or concert use. Flowing and expressive, it features homophonic sections, melismatic lines, and optional soaring soprano solos. Adoro te devote was written for Martin Baker and Westminster Cathedral Choir and is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Nepalese Earthquake in April 2015.

for SSATB and piano Originally the second movement of Chilcott's choral work Five Days that Changed the World, this poignant setting of words by Charles Bennett reflects on one of the most significant events of our time. The choral parts are melodic and interweaving, and the flowing piano part provides harmonic support for the voices throughout.

for SATB and organ Commissioned by the 2015 Three Choirs Festival, this is Chilcott's second setting of the Evening Canticles. Bright and rhythmical, the Magnificat features syncopated chords in the organ part that punctuate the more sustained choral textures. In contrast, the Nunc dimittis is reflective, opening with a soaring soprano melody and building towards an expressive climax on the word 'glory'. Ideal for church and cathedral choirs looking for something new for their evening service.

for SATB and organ Setting a text by the composer, this choral hymn addresses God, the risen Christ, and the Holy Spirit in turn, with a strong sense of worship and adoration. With an appealing melody, sumptuous harmonies, and a captivating soprano descant, this is the ideal piece for Trinity Sunday.

for SSAA and piano Originally the second movement of Chilcott's choral work Five Days that Changed the World, this poignant setting of words by Charles Bennett reflects on one of the most significant events of our time. The upper-voice choral parts are melodic and interweaving, and the flowing piano part provides harmonic support for the voices throughout.