for SSATB unaccompanied An atmospheric and expressive setting of Caliban's dream from Shakespeare's The Tempest, this piece transports the listener to a mysterious, dream-like place. McDowall effectively employs melismas and ornaments to create a sense of the other-worldly, and her rich, immersive harmonies perfectly characterise the reverie Shakespeare's protagonist describes.

for SSA and piano This joyous and upbeat piece sets a text by Delphine Chalmers full of vivid imagery of childhood memories and with a compelling refrain: 'Though the years may make us strangers, our voices set the ripples dancing in memory's stream'. Alternation between passages of 4/4 and 7/8 gives a spirited offbeat feel, and the pleasingly simple melodic lines and long unison passages make the piece especially suitable for school or children's choirs.

Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo tells the extraordinary story of Nujeen Mustafa, a Kurdish teenager with cerebral palsy forced by war to flee her home and embark on an arduous journey to Europe with her sister. In this five-movement cantata Nujeen's story - recounted in her biography 'The Girl from Aleppo' (co-authored by Christina Lamb) - is retold by Kevin Crossley-Holland and richly scored by Cecilia McDowall. A wealth of musical effects are employed to capture the narrative, including chorales, rhythmic spoken sections, body percussion, and a solo violin part infused with Middle Eastern flavours. The prevailing mood of Nujeen's story is embodied by the final line of a chorale that bookends this unique concert work: 'singing the song of life itself.'

for SSA and piano This work for upper voices with a text by the composer was inspired by members of the Radcliffe Ladies' Choir and their motto 'friendship through singing'. The lilting vocal lines are subtly underpinned by a delicate piano accompaniment, and the opening performance direction, 'contentedly rocking', describes the overall nature of the piece: peaceful, content, and easy-going.

for SATB unaccompanied Aspire to God, my soul sets a macaronic text by Canon John Dilnot, with the titular words recurring throughout the setting as an emphatic refrain. This short anthem is optimistic and uplifting in tone, with frequently changing time-signatures that convey a rhythmic fluidity and the flexibility to follow the declamation of the words.

for SATB double choir unaccompanied Lightly come or lightly go is a playful setting of James Joyce's poem of the same name for SATB double choir. The second choir carries the titular words as an arching ostinato, while choir one presents the main body of the text through characterful melodies and word painting. The two choirs portray the conflicting emotions expressed in the poem demonstrated by the closing line: "Love and laughter song-confessed When the heart is heaviest".

for SATB (with soprano solo) and harp or organ or percussion or orchestra Written for Suzi Digby and her choir Ora, this gentle, sacred, and lyrical setting complements the well-known 15th-century text from the Sloane MS: 'A babe is born all of a may, to bring salvation unto us'. The carol may be performed with accompaniment of harp, organ, percussion, or orchestra: the vocal score carries the organ part; the harp and percussion parts are available separately for purchase; and the orchestral material is available on hire/rental.

for SSATB unaccompanied This simple and exquisite miniature keeps the text, the fourth-century Latin Hymn to the Virgin Mary, at the fore, with instructions from the composer to accent the melodic lines according to word stress rather than position in the bar. The musical style is a fusion of old and new, with plainchant-like melodies and tonality set against expressively dissonant contemporary harmonies. Tota pulchra est was recorded by The Epiphoni Consort on the CD David Bednall: Sudden Light (Delphian, DCD34189)

for SATB and organ or piano Chilcott's setting of St Benedict's sixth-century prayer begins with a gentle recurring figure in the keyboard, graduallly building to a rousing climax. The primarily homophonic texture allows the timeless text to shine through, while the expansive vocal writing and expressive use of harmony create a sense of awe towards the Almighty God.

for SATB and organ Chilcott's setting of Psalm 96 is bright, optimistic, and celebratory. The sparkling organ part and fluctuation between 7/8 and 4/4 metres give the opening and closing sections a dance-like feel, while the central section is still, soft, and reflective.

for SATB and organ Francis Jackson's spirited setting of Psalm 150 is steeped in the English choral tradition. With contrapuntal writing, engaging interplay between choir and organ, effective word painting, and virtuosic organ writing, O praise God in his sanctuary is a welcome addition to the service repertory.

O Antiphon Sequence was conceived as a recital piece, although each of its individual movements would also work in a liturgical context. Each movement is a response to a short extract of liturgical text taken from the 'O Antiphons', which are the Magnificat antiphons used at Vespers during the last seven days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The work was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for performance at the 2018 AGO National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

for SATB unaccompanied This setting of a tune from The Sacred Harp is strong and march-like, with accented rhythms and percussive vocal lines contributing to a rousing overall effect. It was originally published as part of Mack Wilberg Anthems and is also available in a version for TTBB unaccompanied.

The Oxford Book of Funeral and Memorial Music for Organ is a collection of practical repertoire for organists playing at funerals, memorial services, and services of thanksgiving. Covering a broad range of music for players of intermediate ability, it includes a mixture of established repertoire, attractive new arrangements of well-known works, and newly commissioned pieces.

for SATB unaccompanied A partner antiphon to Bednall's Ave Regina caelorum, Alma Redemptoris Mater is a tender and expressive setting. In turn, this pair of antiphons compliments Herbert Howells's setting of the other two Marian antiphons (Salve Regina and Regina Caeli), making for compelling programming. Triplet movement and changing metre create a sense of ebb and flow and harmonic and melodic interest provoke a sense of peaceful expectancy.

for SATB unaccompanied This high-energy, majestic setting of well-known words from the psalms is a welcome addition to the service repertory. The changing metre brings the text to the fore, and the semiquaver movement that passes between parts creates a sense of motion and drive that is fitting for this uplifting and joyous hymn of praise.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Ethan McGrath's setting of this well-known fourteenth-century macaronic text is expressive and rich, both harmonically and emotionally. The melodies have a chant-like quality and the metrical changes create a compelling ebb and flow. This carol is evocative of an ancient choral tradition, while at the same time offering a fresh choral sound.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano This dramatic and majestic anthem sets verses from Isaiah, starting with an appeal to God to show himself and his power, followed by an admission of human sin, finishing with an affirmation that we are all God's people. The choral parts are largely homophonic, except for an effective unaccompanied fugal central section, and optional high soprano notes are included towards the end for added dramatic effect. The piano part makes full use of the instrument's range and features vibrant scalic and arpeggiated flourishes, tremolos, and rhythmic, accented chords.

for SSA and piano Grow is a warm and heartfelt setting of words by the composer that celebrate human personal growth, comparing this to the season change from winter to spring. A rocking piano part underpins the eminently singable vocal lines, and a scat section draws the piece to a reflective close.

for SATB unaccompanied This lively reimagining of the traditional hymn is a thrilling a cappella arrangement which pairs the soaring legato melody with a rhythmic vocal accompaniment. Together, these elements capture both the gentle hope and the profound joy contained in the text. Also including moments of tenderness and reflection, the piece comes to a rousing close with an energy that engages singers and audience alike. Also available in a version for SSA unaccompanied.

for SATB and piano or orchestra This setting of Adolphe Adam's beloved Christmas carol employs rich choral textures and a flowing piano accompaniment to create a rousing overall effect. Opening gently, the intensity builds gradually towards a stirring, powerful ending. Also in the anthology, An American Christmas.