for SATB unaccompanied Originally published in Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars, 'Deep in the night' sets a poem by Sara Teasdale that likens a heart seeking its love to a swallow's cry. Chydenius's rich harmonies, syncopated melodies, and modal inflections paint an image of the starry night, while the underpinning bass ostinato provides rhythmic drive.

for SATB and piano or harp Higgins's arrangement of Away in a manger is beautiful and delicate. The first verse is taken by unison upper voices; the second is a cappella, with a soloist (or small group) on the melody accompanied by sustained 'ooh's; and the last verse features fresh, homophonic harmonies. The piano/harp accompaniment twinkles gently around the voices, contributing towards the magical character of the arrangement.

for SSAA and piano This is a beautiful piece setting an evocative text by Anne Bronte that explores natural imagery on a blustery day and the feelings they inspire. Supported by the piano acccompaniment, Quartel's soaring melodies, rich harmonies, and syncopated rhythms illustrate the power of the wind, while its unpredictable nature is hinted by the hemiolas and cross-rhythms throughout the texture. This is suitable for festival and concert performance.

for SATB and organ Written for the 2018 BBC Advent broadcast sung by the choir of St John's College, Cambridge, A Prayer to St John the Baptist sets an artfully crafted text that combines Guido d'Arezzo's Ut queant laxis (itself a Hymn to John the Baptist, as well as a medieval music-teaching mnemonic) with Thomas Merton's poem on the same subject. The organ's flowing quavers represent Merton's baptismal 'rivers of water', while the largely octatonic melodies conjure a tellingly mysterious atmosphere.

for SS and organ This movement from Make We Merry sets the words of the seventeenth-century Christmas text 'Sweet was the song' to a straightforward and lyrical solo line in the first soprano part, with an imitative second soprano part joining towards the end. The organ accompaniment gently underpins the tender vocal lines throughout.

for SATB unaccompanied Alan Bullard's simple, uplifting setting of words by eighteenth-century writer and Calvinist minister Joseph Hart is perfectly suited to the Every Voice Rejoice series. The anthem is characterized by flexible rhythms that sensitively complement the metre of the text and a beautifully reflective set of Amens at its close.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Tree of Life is an expansive setting of an evocative text by David Warner that depicts the sacred archetype of the life-giving tree through the cycle of all four seasons. The lyrics, coupled with simple, memorable melodies, speak of spiritual planting and growth, nourishment, and an abundant harvest; each observation is punctuated by an 'Alleluia' as an expression of praise and gratitude. Wilberg's imaginative orchestration creates an abundant soundworld, with arching woodwind phrases, sweeping strings, and a cacophony of handbells that lifts the closing alleluias skywards in celebration. This is the title track on the Tabernacle Choir's 2018 CD release.

for SATB and piano Tarney's setting of this traditional Scottish text offers catchy melodies and folk-inspired harmonies, driven by a rhythmic piano accompaniment. The ballad is framed by a repeating, haunting, and ethereal a cappella phrase that hints at the unearthly nature of the subject. Also available for cambiata voices in the Emerging Voices series.

for SSAA and 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. Also available in a version for SATB and hand drum.

for SSAATTBB unaccompanied When spring comes walking is a warm and optimistic setting of an evocative poem by Charles Bennett that explores themes of rebirth, nature, and celebration. Chilcott embraces the return of spring with gentle sustained melodies, rich harmonies, and a quote from the traditional carol 'O come, O come, Emmanuel'. This piece is suitable for both advent and Easter.

for SSAA unaccompanied or with optional handbells (or percussion, or organ) Sarah Quartel brings a fresh take on a familiar fifteenth-century text in this carol for upper voices. The dialogue between Mary and the infant Jesus is woven to a beguiling folk-like melody, in 6/8 metre, through each of the voice parts, with each verse ending in the lilting refrain 'Lully, by by, lullay'. The carol may be sung unaccompanied, though for added sparkle there is an optional part for handbells (or percussion or organ).

for unison voices, with optional descant, and piano This attractive piece for unison voices celebrates the wonder of the 'bright new moon'. The composer's own text, based on traditional Hebridean poems, is set to a simple, flowing melody, and the optional descant in the final section soars over the melody and introduces an echo effect. The piano accompaniment supports the vocal lines while providing additional colours and textures.

for unison voices, with optional second part, and piano This is the key is a dramatic, narrative piece, perfect for children's and youth choirs. It can be sung in unison throughout, or the score contains options for two parts, sometimes singing alternating phrases and at other times singing together in two-part harmony. Sections in different tempos and keys create a variety of moods, and the continuous piano part features running quavers, a rhythmic bass line, and shimmering spread chords.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano or small orchestra Originally published in Carols for Choirs 2, Rutter's arrangement of this well-known carol is energetic and joyful. The memorable and buoyant melody is supported and driven by lively piano accompaniment, making it well-suited for Christmas concerts and services. Orchestral material is available on hire.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano or orchestra Thornett's setting of this Epiphany text, also known as 'Brightest and best', makes effective use of arching melodies and a variety of choral textures. The piece builds to a dramatic final verse with a soprano/tenor descant, before a gentle ending. The accompaniment features bell effects and quotations of Gruber's famous 'Silent night' melody. For choirs who are low on male numbers, there are options for omitting tenor and bass divisi parts.

for SSAA unaccompanied Oliver Tarney has re-worked his popular unaccompanied minature The Waiting Sky for upper voices. 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 unaccompanied In this lively 6/8 setting, Assersohn explores a macaronic 15th-century text ('A Patre Unigenitus/Through a maiden is come'), with its exclamations of 'Eya!' reinforcing festive celebration. Featuring modal harmonies and energetic rhythms, this carol promises to be a fresh, uplifting, and accessible addition to any Christmas programme.

for SATB unaccompanied A mystical, atmospheric carol for Epiphany, The Wise Men and the Star sets a text by contemporary writer Lucia Quinault that depicts the journey of the wise men as they follow the star. Tarney's appealing musical language creates a sense of expectancy, and there are beautiful moments of stillness and quiet that enable the listener to reflect on the wonder of the events of the season.

for SSSSAATBB unaccompanied In this haunting arrangement of the well-known carol, Higgins creates a mystical soundscape by layering a single motif in a four-part soprano canon. These repetitions echo throughout and support the various textures explored in each verse, producing a dramatic and atmospheric setting of the Basque carol. Suitable for chamber and concert choir.