for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Commissioned by King's College, Cambridge for the 2015 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, The Flight sets a newly written poem by George Szirtes on the subject of the flight to Bethlehem. The harmonies are rich and ethereal, and a peaceful refrain implores 'May those who travel Find shelter on the flight: May Bethlehem Give rest to them.'

for SATB and piano or chamber ensemble Written in 1978 for the choir of Clare College, Cambridge, this gentle, dreamy lullaby has gone on to become one of John Rutter's most popular carols. Full scores and instrumental parts (flute, oboe, harp, and strings) are available on hire and on sale. Also available in a version for SSAA.

for SATB with optional piano Inspired by the simple directness of William Chatterton Dix's vivid, pictorial text, the composer explores the breadth of the choral canvas in this expressive and artful carol. The piece has a straightforward verse-chorus structure, with gentle development of the verse material and an effective motif to close each verse, making it accessible to and rewarding for choirs of all abilities. Also available in a version for upper voices.

for SSA and piano Inspired by the simple directness of William Chatterton Dix's vivid, pictorial text, the composer explores the breadth of the choral canvas in this expressive and artful carol. The piece has a straightforward verse-chorus structure, with gentle development of the verse material and an effective motif to close each verse, making it accessible to and rewarding for choirs of all abilities. Also available in a version for mixed voices.

for SSAA (with divisions) unaccompanied Cecilia McDowall's fresh and appealing style is amply displayed in this cycle, subtitled 'Three Shakespeare Songs'. In total, six Shakespeare texts are used, and McDowall's response encompasses a fleet-footed impression of Scottish fiddle music, a gorgeously plangent slow movement, and a helter-skelter finale that broadens to a mysteriously pitchless ending. Also available for SSATB.

for SATB and piano or harp The King of Love My Shepherd Is sets Psalm 23 to an arrangement of the Irish traditional melody St. Columba. Rutter keeps the first three verses largely in unison, alternating between male and female voices, before allowing the music to bloom into rich and ever-expanding polyphony for the last three verses. The arpeggios in the accompaniment, distinctly Gaelic and gently scored, can be performed either on harp or piano.

for CCBarBar and piano This celebrated Spiritual has a strong, appealing, comfortable melody suitable for boys' choirs, and is arranged skilfully here for four-part choir and piano, with Ia cappella sections and affecting modulations. Suited to more established choirs, it has plenty of opportunities for musical growth.

for SATB & piano/chamber orchestra This charming carol, composed in 1975 by Barbara Bell, was discovered by John Rutter, who enlisted the help of John Suchet and Classic FM to track down the composer. Haunting in character, but with a delightful French waltz feel and a sweeping piano part, La Berceuse has been recorded by Voces8 on the Decca label.

for SATB double choir and organ In this rousing anthem for double choir, Rutter uses frequent time signature changes to breathe new life into Psalm 148. Guiding the two choirs through a series of musical mood changes using intricate call-and-response patterns, the composer steadily builds excitement before bringing them together in a glorious finale. This anthem forms the conclusion to John Rutter's Psalmfest, for which scores and parts are available on hire.

for SATB (with divisions) and organ, with optional congregation Here John Rutter follows Vaughan Williams' precedent in setting this text from the fourth-century Orthodox liturgy of St James of Jerusalem to the French carol melody 'Jesus Christ shabille en pauvre'. The result is a hymn which is in turn haunting and powerful, with a modal tonality that evokes the timeless sound-world of plainchant.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano or orchestra This joyful, sprightly carol has been offprinted, by popular request, from Sir David Willcocks: A Celebration in Carols. With its uplifting 7/8 time signature, memorable melody, rich and diverse textures, and delightful orchestral accompaniment, this carol is a fitting tribute to one of the great names synonymous with Christmas: David Willcocks.

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.

This virtuosic sonata, first published in 1934, exploits the viola's technical capabilities to create an expressive and dramatic work in the late Romantic/early twentieth-century idiom. The sonata comprises four movements: the first is flowing yet intense, the second dark and mournful, the third alternates between lively tunes and passages of dazzling virtuosity, and the final movement is measured and contemplative.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano or chamber orchestra Rutter's charming piece sets a secular text by the composer that emphasises the significance of music and harmony in an ephemeral world. A simple accompaniment figure in the piano provides the backdrop to alternating unison and polyphonic verses that manage to capture both nostalgia for what was and optimism for what is to come.

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.

The Poetry and Music of Joaquin Sabina: An Angel with Black Wings is a thoroughly researched exploration of the life, music, and song lyrics of the celebrated Spanish singer-songwriter Joaquin Sabina. Often called "the Spanish Dylan," Sabina has established his own highly poetic space over the course of his forty-plus years as a recording artist. Using selected song lyrics from his fifteen studio and three major live albums, Daniel J. Nappo analyzes Sabina's use of antithesis, simile, metaphor, synesthesia, rhyme, and other rhetorical and poetic devices. Nappo also devotes a chapter to Sabina's ability as a narrator and concludes the book with a comparison of Sabina's best work with that of the American singer-songwriter and Nobel laureate, Bob Dylan.

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 SATB and organ or small orchestra Christmas Lullaby was commissioned in 1989 by the Bach Choir in celebration of the seventieth birthday of its conductor, Sir David Willcocks. The haunting melody of the verses and the reflective refrain of 'Ave Maria' have made this an immensely popular carol. The orchestral accompaniment is available on sale and on hire/rental. A version for upper voices is also available.

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.