for SATB and piano or orchestra This setting of Adolphe Adam's beloved Christmas carol employs rich choral textures and a flowing piano accompaniment to create a rousing overall effect. Opening gently, the intensity builds gradually towards a stirring, powerful ending. Also in the anthology, An American Christmas.

for soprano solo and organ (or strings and organ continuo), with optional solo trumpet This deeply expressive arioso, which opens Handel's Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne (1713), was performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 19 May 2018. Originally scored in D major for counter-tenor, with trumpet and strings, the work is here arranged by John Rutter for performance by soprano and organ (or strings and organ continuo), with or without solo trumpet, in the slightly lower key of C major. The orchestral score and instrumental parts are available for purchase as a package containing (1) the orchestral score in C major, and (2) the instrumental parts (solo tpt, vln 1, vln 2, vla, vc, db, organ continuo) in two versions, in C major and D flat major. The D flat version of the parts is to enable performance with modern strings but natural trumpet, the trumpet playing in Handel's original key of D major but at baroque pitch (A = 415).

for SATB, flute, clarinet, and piano The snow is fled is a beautiful setting of an English translation of one of Horace's Odes. Chilcott employs a variety of choral textures, crunchy harmonies, and a rippling triplet piano accompaniment to complement the imagery of Horace's ode to nature and the cycle of the seasons. Mellifluous countermelodies from the flute and clarinet add further colour to the overall picture.

for SSAA and piano This serene, reflective anthem is a rich addition to the Choral Evensong repertoire. Chilcott artfully entwines an original setting of William Fuller's 'Evening Hymn', most famously set by Henry Purcell, and the plainsong melody for the Latin hymn 'Te lucis ante terminum', in J. M. Neale's English translation. Grounded in minor tonalities, the anthem makes use of a semi-chorus of altos and sopranos for the hymn tune, juxtaposed with compelling and complementary melodies in the other parts, building to a resolute final section before a peaceful 'Amen'.

for SSA and piano This joyous and upbeat piece sets a text by Delphine Chalmers full of vivid imagery of childhood memories and with a compelling refrain: 'Though the years may make us strangers, our voices set the ripples dancing in memory's stream'. Alternation between passages of 4/4 and 7/8 gives a spirited offbeat feel, and the pleasingly simple melodic lines and long unison passages make the piece especially suitable for school or children's choirs.

for SSATB unaccompanied Love Incorruptible sets words from Ephesians that explore the themes of love and kindness. The anthem begins with the directive 'Let all bitterness and wrath and anger be put away, awake!', set by the composer in a way that engenders a mood of reflection and hopefulness. The tender central section is built around the words 'Be kind, tender-hearted, one to another', while the closing section presents a compelling contrast of emphatic 'awake!' declarations in the upper voices and punchily rhythmic repetitions of the titular words in the lower voices.

for SATB unaccompanied The Waiting Sky is a four-part unaccompanied miniature for mixed choir. The evocative text by Lucia Quinault depicts a rural winter scene, and is skilfully set to music by Oliver Tarney to create a lucidly reflective piece. There is a sense in both the text and the music of waiting for the 'shining star' and, while it would make a beautiful addition to a concert programme at other times of the year, the setting is perfect as a reflective carol for Advent, anticipating the wonder of the birth of Christ.

for SATB and organ or piano This simple and attractive carol sets a little-known text by the Rev. Canon John Gray (1866-1934). With an accompaniment for either organ and piano and optional soprano solos, this piece is accessible to a wide range of choirs and would be an excellent addition to either a Christmas concert or service.

for SATBarB unaccompanied Balulalow is a Christmas miniature that captures the intimacy and atmosphere of this well-loved 16th-century text. Through homophonic textures, word-painting, the use of extended harmonies, and a lilting rhythm, the piece has a subtlety that provides a challenge for established choirs while remaining musically accessible.

for SATB (with soprano solo) and harp or organ or percussion or orchestra Written for Suzi Digby and her choir Ora, this gentle, sacred, and lyrical setting complements the well-known 15th-century text from the Sloane MS: 'A babe is born all of a may, to bring salvation unto us'. The carol may be performed with accompaniment of harp, organ, percussion, or orchestra: the vocal score carries the organ part; the harp and percussion parts are available separately for purchase; and the orchestral material is available on hire/rental.

Vaughan Williams's famous romance for solo violin and orchestra is given new life in this beautiful arrangement. For the first time, violinists can perform the original solo line as part of a string quartet, while also joining the other players for the longer tutti sections. Perfect as a rehearsal tool in preparation for a larger-scale orchestral concert, the arrangement is also ideal for performance in a chamber recital.

Vaughan Williams's famous romance for solo violin and orchestra is given new life in this beautiful arrangement, which features the original solo line as part of a string sextet. Perfect as a rehearsal tool in preparation for a larger-scale orchestral concert, the arrangement is also ideal for performance in a chamber recital.

Vaughan Williams's famous romance for solo violin and orchestra is given new life in this beautiful arrangement, which features the original solo line as part of a string sextet. Perfect as a rehearsal tool in preparation for a larger-scale orchestral concert, the arrangement is also ideal for performance in a chamber recital.

Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 2 continues your student's musical journey by teaching with segmented presentation of new concepts and introducing ensemble playing. Isolating concepts and teaching them individually helps facilitate understanding of the more advanced material. Following the unique Sound Innovations organization, the book contains four levels, each of which is divided into several sections that introduces concepts separately and provides plenty of practice and performance opportunities to reinforce each lesson. Visit www.alfred.com/soundinnovations for more information.
"Sound Innovations by Alfred Music is a dream-come-true method for beginning concert band and string orchestra. Its infusion of technology provides an open-ended architecture of the first order. This unique blend of time-tested strategies and technology offer a great foundation for a successful learning experience."
---John Kuzmich, Jr., BandDirector.com This title is available in SmartMusic.

for SATB double choir unaccompanied Written for the Choir of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, The Presence sets lines from Psalms 18, 27, 36, 112, and 119. It was inspired by A. E. Borthwick's painting of the same title, which hangs in St Mary's, and the texts chosen are mainly concerned with light. The performance directions used - 'luminous', 'resonant', 'dark', 'ethereal' - express the setting's intense atmosphere and almost visual sense of space and lustre. While suitable for services and concerts throughout the year, The Presence is especially appropriate for performance during Advent.

for SATB and organ or piano This charming carol tells of the joy and wonder of the star of Bethlehem and features Chilcott's hallmark tuneful melodies and carefully chosen harmonic colours. Epiphany takes for its text a translation of two verses by French hymn-writer Charles Coffin, augmented by a newly written verse by Chilcott's long-time collaborator Charles Bennett. The result is a carol which is both narrative and reflective, with a perfect mix of traditional and modern.

for SATB and organ Commissioned by The Maryland State Boychoir in 2017, this striking Christmas piece sets a famous text by Ben Jonson. Jackson's attractive and largely diatonic harmonies combine with vivid word-setting, deft manipulations of texture, and a colourful organ part to create a mood of gentle rapture, with a central section that explores more conflicted atmospheres.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Annunciation is an expressive and expansive Advent carol based on words from John Donne's Holy Sonnets. McDowall creates a captivating atmosphere as the voices explore a soundworld that is mystical, reflective, and bright. The sensitive part-writing and accessible vocal lines will enable choirs of all types to profess the carol's message of 'salvation to all'.

for SATB and organ This welcome original setting of the much-loved 15th-century Coventry carol text features a compelling interplay between choir and organ and a contrast of full and a cappella textures. Archer fully exploits the text's dramatic potential and has created a pleasing and useful addition to the carol repertory.

for SSSSAATTBB unaccompanied Commissioned by The Marian Consort in celebration of their 10th anniversary, and first performed in 2018, Jackson's is one of the most striking modern settings of this ancient text. With a rich scoring matching that of Scarlatti's setting of the same text, the composer's trademark diversity of texture is much in evidence. Passages of rich sonority give way to intimate soloistic sections, the lines spiced up by fiery rhythms and occasional arabesques and glissandi. The piece will be a very satisfying challenge for a proficient choir.

for SSATB and organ This atmospheric anthem by Cecilia McDowall commemorates the First World War. It sets a stark English text by Dr Joseph Spence alongside Latin text from Psalm 130, with the words 'In memoriam' added. The lower parts sing Spence's English text, conveying the relentless hardship of life in the trenches with declamatory and constantly developing vocal lines. The sopranos, meanwhile, repeat the Latin words from Psalm 130, providing a striking contrast in their constancy and otherworldliness.