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.

In the last decades of the 17th century, the feast of Christmas in Lutheran Germany underwent a major transformation when theologians and local governments waged an early modern "war on Christmas," discouraging riotous pageants and carnivalesque rituals in favor of more personal and internalized expressions of piety. Christmas rituals, such as the "Heilig Christ" plays and the rocking of the child (Kindelwiegen) were abolished, and Christian devotion focused increasingly on the metaphor of a birth of Christ in the human heart. John Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio, composed in 1734, both reflects this new piety and conveys the composer's experience living through this tumult during his own childhood and early career. Markus Rathey's book is the first thorough study of this popular masterpiece in English. While giving a comprehensive overview of the Christmas Oratorio as a whole, the book focuses on two themes in particular: the cultural and theological understanding of Christmas in Bach's time and the compositional process that led Bach from the earliest concepts to the completed piece. The cultural and religious context of the oratorio provides the backdrop for Rathey's detailed analysis of the composition, in which he explores Bach's compositional practices, for example, his reuse and parodies of movements that had originally been composed for secular cantatas. The book analyzes Bach's original score and sheds new light on the way Bach wrote the piece, how he shaped musical themes, and how he revised his initial ideas into the final composition.

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.

for SATB accompanied or unaccompanied Offprinted from Carols for Choirs 5, this exquisite setting of a familiar text by Isaac Watts has flexible scoring, with choirs encouraged to explore different options for each of the four verses. The music is gentle, flowing, and peaceful, perfectly reflecting the nativity scene the poet so vividly depicts.

for solo tenor and SSATB unaccompanied Following on from the publication of Jackson's settings of the seven 'O' antiphons under the title Seven Advent Antiphons, O Virgo virginum is a setting of the Latin text recognised as the eighth 'O' antiphon and performed as such in many Christian traditions. Jackson's imaginative setting features a melismatic line for tenor soloist and aleatoric writing.

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.