for SSATB unaccompanied Commissioned by Ralph Woodward and the Fairhaven Singers in memory of Dora Kemp, one of the choir's sopranos, God is Light sets lines from Psalm 139, 1 Thessalonians, and 1 John. It moves from an unsettled tonality at the beginning, through anguished false relations and wistful expressivity, to find triumphant resolution in a blazing A major at the end. Like all of McDowall's music, it is well crafted and singable. God is Light was first performed on 12 November 2016 in Queens' College Chapel, Cambridge, by the Fairheaven Singers and Perse Prep Senior Choir (director Paul Harris), conducted by Ralph Woodward.

for SSAA unaccompanied A bright and breezy piece with a charming text by Charles Bennett, A Tree of Song begins with a jaunty 7/8 figure which recurs throughout the piece, with a spirited melody floating above. Alternation between passages of 4/4 and 7/8 gives a lively offbeat feel, with the piece only taking on a darker tone in a brief central section.

for solo voice and SATB unaccompanied A familiar piece from the 100 Carols for Choirs stable, John Rutter's sublime arrangement of the haunting Appalachian carol I wonder as I wander, collected in the 1930s by musical folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles, is lilting and evocative, setting the scene with an affecting opening verse for solo voice.

for SA, piano, and percussion This is an uplifting and expressive setting of a fun, descriptive text by Christie Dickason that characterizes the sky in an imaginative way. The compelling melodies are underpinned by a dynamic piano part, often featuring rippling quavers, and charcterful interjections from the glockenspiel and suspended cymbal complement the narrative. A contrasting middle section in triple time quotes from the Northumbrian folk song 'When the boat comes in', while the final section is affirmatory in feel, emphatically repeating the final line of the poem, 'and I will grow'.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied First performed by the Choir of St Luke's Episcopal Church, Evanston, Illinois, in 2016, this powerful motet sets a reflective text by Augustine of Hippo. Connoisseurs of Jackson's music will recognise the hallmarks of his highly accessible style: inventive harmony that is largely diatonic but never plain, and textures that encompass the blazingly sonorous and the expressively intimate.

for SATB and piano four-hands or orchestra This short, energetic piece sets words by contemporary hymn-writer Mary Louise Bringle. The text is full of positivity and hope, and Wilberg's use of a 7/8 time signature keeps the verses propelling forward joyously, while undulating quavers shape the refrains. Several key changes are supported by a continuously rhythmic accompaniment in the form of piano duet or large orchestra, and an instrumental interlude precedes the third and final verse.

for SATB and piano Written for the 2016 'Requiem to Cancer' event at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, Now is the Time sets hopeful and inspirational words by Marie Curie. McDowall's setting is optimistic and appealing, with charming interplay between the voices and piano.

for soprano solo, SSATB, and organ As Each Leaf Dances is a setting of a powerful text by Kevin Crossley-Holland about the cruelty of child abuse being overcome by love and kindness. Reflecting this, the first section features a relentless organ part, jagged vocal lines, and dissonant harmonies, before giving way to a jaunty, dancing, and uplifting second section.

for soprano solo and SSATB unaccompanied Cecilia, Busy Like a Bee is a reflective and reverential setting of a text adapted from the Divine Office for St Cecilia's Day. The influence of plainchant is particularly apparent in the soprano solo, and McDowall intersperses effective imitative passages amidst homophonic writing with rich harmonies.

for SATB and organ Setting the George Herbert poem 'Whitsunday' from the 1633 collection The Temple, this lilting, gentle anthem is particularly useful for Whit Sunday services. Syncopations and duplets provide rhythmic interest, with memorable melodies, sumptuous harmonies, and contrasting textures making this a rewarding anthem for performer and listener alike.

This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 4 concepts include: tarantellas; eighth note triplets; arpeggiated chords; first and second inversion triads in C; triads in all positions; major scales in parallel motion; two-part writing; seventh chords and inversions of seventh chords; E harmonic minor scale in contrary motion; primary chords in E minor; sixteenth notes; dotted eighth notes; primary chords in B-flat Major and G Minor; repeated-note warm-ups; and harmonic minor scales in parallel motion.
For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 4 include: Classic Themes * Duet * Ear Training * Merry Christmas * Musical Concepts * Recital * Repertoire * Sight Reading * Technic * Theory and Top Hits! Solo, Christmas and Duet books.

for SATB, piano, djembe, and cello This evocative anthem, from the larger work Snow Angel, is a piece of two halves. Opening with a haunting cello line, the first section ('God Will Give Orders') is mystical and ethereal, until a vibrant figure from the djembe lifts the music into the second section ('Sweet Child'), which is uplifting and bold in character, with a distinctly African feel and an effective a cappella ending. The instrumental parts are included in the vocal score, and a version for upper voices (SSAA) is also available.

Jazz, Rags & Blues, Books 1 through 5 contain original solos for late elementary to early advanced-level pianists that reflect the various styles of the jazz idiom. An excellent way to introduce your students to this distinctive American contribution to 20th century music. Available separately (item #18115), the CD includes dynamic recordings of each song in Books 1-3 of this series.

for SATB and piano/orchestra John Rutter's rousing drinking song Good Ale, which was originally published as part of his cycle of six choral settings with small orchestra When Icicles Hang, is full of spirit and character. An accompaniment for orchestra is available on hire/rental.

for SATB and organ or orchestra Mack Wilberg's arrangement of 'Old Hundredth', paired with William Kethe's popular hymn of exaltation, builds from a simple opening to a rich-textured, rousing conclusion, with a soaring soprano descant for the last verse. An alternative ending is included, providing the option of finishing the piece more softly if preferred. An orchestral accompaniment is available on hire/rental.

The Yeomen of the Guard is one of the most popular and enduring Gilbert and Sullivan Savoy operas. This critical performing edition, edited by Colin Jagger, Director of Music, University of Portsmouth, presents the opera as it was performed during the original Savoy Theatre run. It corrects errors found in older editions (regarding music, dialogue, and stage directions) and includes unpublished songs and alternative endings. Full scores and clearly printed orchestral parts are available on hire/rental, and vocal scores are available on sale.

for SATB unaccompanied (with divisions) Three Prayers, with a Vision of Light sets early Christian texts by St Augustine of Hippo, Baldwin of Forde, and St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi alongside words by Estonian poet Doris Kareva. Each movement offers a change of mood, from the reflective 'Conversi ad Dominum' to the more urgent and pleading 'Aufer a me, Domine' and serene 'Veni, Sancte Spiritus', with 'He who lives in light' offering an expressive and contrasting central movement.

for SATB and organ or orchestra John Rutter's original setting of this popular Easter hymn is resplendent and celebratory, with frequent metre changes that give a fresh feel to these historic words. Also available in Anthems for Choirs 4 and Ash Wednesday to Easter for Choirs, with a version for SSA and organ available in Anthems for Choirs 3. Orchestral scores and parts are available on hire/rental: 2fl, 2ob, 2cl, 2bsn, 2hn, 2tpt, timp, perc, hp, str.

Vaughan Williams wrote Symphony No. 8 between 1953 and 1955 while in his eighties. It is his shortest symphony and considered by many to be his least serious. Aside from a few sombre moments, the symphony is optimistic in mood and displays Vaughan Williams's love for exotic and colourful combinations of instruments with a percussion sections that, he said, employs "all the 'phones and 'spiels known to the composer". For this newly engraved edition, editor David Lloyd-Jones has consulted all extant sources and materials to create a score matching the composer's intentions. The full score is completed with Textual Notes and Preface, and accompanying orchestral parts are available on hire.

for SATB and organ Michael Finnissy's John the Baptist won the 2015 British Composer Award in the Liturgical Category. Commissioned by St John's College, Cambridge, for Advent 2014, the piece recalls the folk music of the Middle East, and alternates between boisterous two-part homophony and slower, reflective polyphony.