eBook available with sample pages: 0203482980

Firmly rooted in Paul Harris' Simultaneous Learning approach, this new edition of Improve your sight-singing! Grades 1-3 is designed to help overcome all the stumbling blocks to successful sight-singing. Step by step you will build up a complete picture of each piece, firstly through rhythmic, melodic and technical exercises, then by making connections to your wider music-making, studying prepared pieces and finally 'going solo' with a series of meticulously graded sight-singing pieces. These editions of the best-selling Improve your sight-singing! series have been simplified into two (midrange) volumes, making them suitable for instrumentalists who wish to improve their singing as well as for singers preparing for sight-singing in vocal exams. The books feature over 100 completely new practice exercises throughout and have been brought up to date to match the latest ABRSM sight-singing criteria.

for SATB and piano with optional bass and drum kit In this jazzy setting of William Blake's Introduction to his Songs of Innoncence, Chilcott's extended harmonies and syncopated melodies bring new energy to the text, challenging the expectation of the listener. The voices are supported by a stylistic piano part, which may be played as written or serve as a guide, and the optional bass and drum kit part is printed at the back of the score. Also available in a version for SSA, piano, and optional bass and drum kit in Jazz Songs of Innocence.

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 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 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 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.

Featuring exercises that can be played in practice and in actual performances, Drum Solos & Fill-ins for the Progressive Drummer contains 4-, 8-, and 16-bar solos plus fill-ins from several top drummers. This book is designed specifically to help the beginning drum student develop individual technique and musical ability. Special emphasis is placed on introducing students to 4-bar solos to improve drum solo skills. It also includes 13 pages of fill-ins. More challenging than Book 1, Book 2 features solos and fills inspired by one of the world's greatest drummersaBuddy Rich.

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 SATB and piano or organ or orchestra This sprightly setting of a sixteenth-century English text tells the tale of a jolly shepherd named Wat. With an upbeat triple metre and a joyful swing feel, this carol has imaginative, contrasting textures, a memorable refrain, and a rousing finish. Two versions of the vocal score are available: one with piano accompaniment and one with organ accompaniment. Full scores and parts are available for purchase or hire.

for SATB and piano or organ or orchestra This sprightly setting of a sixteenth-century English text tells the tale of a jolly shepherd named Wat. With an upbeat triple metre and a joyful swing feel, this carol has imaginative, contrasting textures, a memorable refrain, and a rousing finish. Two versions of the vocal score are available: one with piano accompaniment and one with organ accompaniment. Full scores and parts are available for purchase or hire.

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.