for SSSA unaccompanied. Palestrina's setting of the Marian motet Alma Redemptoris Mater seamlessly interweaves each of the four independent voices based on the solemn tone of the corresponding chant. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.

for SSAA double choir unaccompanied. In this compelling motet for the Feast of the Holy Trinity, Handl artfully embodies symbolism of the Trinity within the motet's structure. The three verses surrounded by a refrain of 'O beata Trinitas' may have been deliberately chosen to represent the Trinity, as it is the only example where Handl includes a true refrain. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.

for SSA unaccompanied. This motet in two parts is devotional in character, with each section opening with homophonic writing before elaborating on close imitative polyphonic lines. The motet demonstrates a mature writing style that would be expected of a composer years beyond the age of the young Monteverdi. The text is based on the first two stanzas of a prayer attributed to Pope Gregory I that contemplates the Passion of Our Lord. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.

for SSA unaccompanied Clemens composed two settings of the Marian text Ego flos campi, one scored for mixed choir of seven voices and this other, more intimate, setting for three voices. Here the voices weave beautiful counterpoint with attractive independent melodies.

for SSSAA unaccompanied. Recent scholarship postulates that this anonymous motet for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was in fact written by Leonora d'Este, daughter of Duke Alfonso I and Lucrezia Borgia, and abbess of the Corpus Domini Convent in Ferrara. The music and style of d'Este's compositions are skilful in the art of polyphonic writing and the beautiful Sicut lilium inter spinas, written for five voices, is a fine example of this style. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.

for SSAA unaccompanied. Consisting of two sections, this large-scale Christmas motet opens with a rich homophonic texture that is synonymous with Victoria's compositions. This is followed by imitation in the vocal lines before a triple-metre section of resounding 'alleluia's. The secunda pars begins with new melodic lines that are beautifully explored before a reprise of the music from the prima pars. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.

for SATB and organ or piano A Prayer of St Columba is an expressive and emotive anthem with appealing, arching melodies underpinned by a sparkling organ part. Also available in a version for SAB and organ or piano in The Oxford Book of Easy Flexible Anthems.

for SATB unaccompanied This beautiful setting of a medieval English text is simple yet effective, written in Assersohn's clear and approachable style. With tender 'lullay, lullow's, lilting phrases, and gentle modal inflections, this hushed lullaby paints a serene picture of the baby Jesus at rest.

for SSA and piano Singing Children is an upbeat, optimistic piece featuring scat-like vocalizations, extended unison passages, syncopations, and intuitive harmonies. The composer has adapted a song from the Elizabethan play 'Locrine', attributed to Charles Tilney, with lyrics that profess the singers' overwhelming, joyous love of singing.

for SATB, body percussion, & spoons Gallant's take on this Acadian folksong is lively and engaging, featuring the quintessential elements of the tradition: podorythmie (seated foot-tapping), diddlage (mouth music), and the spoons. With playful vocal slides and energetic rhythmic motifs, this arrangement offers a modern twist on this well-loved melody from the French-Canadian oral tradition. An English (non-singing) translation is included in the leaflet, while a studio recording, pronunciation guides, and an instructional video on playing techniques are accessible through the companion website. Also available in a version for SSAA, body percussion, and spoons.

for SSAATTBB (with S. and A. solos) unaccompanied This lavish arrangement of the second movement of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto for wordless a cappella voices was written for Harry Christophers and The Sixteen. Chilcott artfully reimagines a pianistic texture for choir, making full use of the potential of the human voice.

for high solo voice and organ This mass setting, with texts in both Latin and English (Book of Common Prayer), is typical of the composer's style: musically sophisticated, with motivic solo lines and a great deal of chromaticism and continual time changes. Vocal range: Eb4-A5 (opt. C6).

for medium solo voice and organ This mass setting, with texts in both Latin and English (Book of Common Prayer), is typical of the composer's style: musically sophisticated, with motivic solo lines and a great deal of chromaticism and continual time changes. Vocal range: C4-Gb5 (opt. A5).

for SSATB (with divisions) and organ Setting an invigorating Easter text from the Song of Songs, this episodic anthem is full of expressive passages and lyrical melodies. The canonical soprano parts are echoed in the lower voices, contributing towards the rich texture, all the while underpinned by an independent, sparkling organ part.

for SATB and piano or orchestra This arrangement for choir and piano of a traditional American spiritual conjures a deep fervency, belying its simple appearance. The opening instruction is 'With hushed awe', and that encapsulates perfectly the gentle radiance of the tender lyrics and the music's highly singable lines.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Pulsating rhythms in the piano part underpin this energetic arrangement of a traditional spiritual. The voice parts progress from a forthright rendition of the famous tune at the beginning to bold and exciting harmonies by the end. The arrangement would provide a high-spirited and rousing climax for any Christmas concert.

for SATB and piano (with opt bass and drums) Optional parts for bass and drum set enliven this joyous arrangement for choir and piano of a traditional spiritual. Propelled by a light swing tempo, the mood grows more and more euphoric with each succeeding stanza of text, and the uplifting music surges towards an opulent conclusion.

The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony is a collection of carefully curated and edited Renaissance works. Scholarly yet practical, this volume is an invaluable addition to the library of any choir looking to explore this rich genre in liturgical or concert settings.

for SABar and piano Commissioned by the Treble Makers Women's Choir to celebrate both their 10th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Canada, this secular work for upper voices sensitively sets Langston Hughes's poem of the same name. A lilting melodic line, eloquent part-writing, and an effective piano part combine to create a piece that will appeal to both youth and adult upper-voice choirs. Also available in a version for SA and piano.

for SSATB unaccompanied. My song is love unknown is an expressive and fluid setting of the well-known Lenten text by Samuel Crossman, particularly suitable for performance on Good Friday. McGlade highlights the phrase 'take frail flesh and die' with a sighing musical motif, before the work closes with the affirmation 'heaven was his home; but mine the tomb wherein he lay'.

This well-known song by Vaughan Williams is arranged here for mixed voices, with additional lower voice parts by Alan Bullard. The pastoral imagery in the lyrics is beautifully brought to life by the trademark folk-inspired melodies, fluid harmonies, and a lively piano accompaniment. Originally published in The Oxford Book of Flexible Choral Songs.

for SATB choir unaccompanied With a text by John Henry Newman, Lead, kindly Light is a short, moving piece perfectly suited for our current times. Step-like movement in the melody reflects the speaker seeking light in the darkness, slow but steady in their way out of the 'encircling gloom'.

This a beautiful and meditative setting of a translated text from Carmina Gadelica, a collection of Gaelic hymns, prayers, and other texts. With gentle suspensions and exquisite harmonies, this anthem by Quartel is warm, refreshing, and uplifting, perfectly demonstrating her signature style.

for SATB unaccompanied This a cappella setting of evocative words by E. Pauline Johnson is immediately appealing, with its playful, swinging syncopations and dancing scat accompaniment. Also available in a version for SSAA in the Songbird series.