for SATTBB unaccompanied Chilcott's arrangement of 'Viens par le pre', a folksong from the Haute-Auvergne region of France that presents a heartfelt expression of love, is tender and expressive, with rich, warm harmonies. 'Viens par le pre' is featured on the Tenebrae CD Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars (Signum, SIGCD903).

for SATB and piano or organ This uplifting setting of words from Psalms 24 and 118 is bold and energetic, whilst still easy to prepare. Passages for unison voices flower into harmony over a supportive accompaniment for piano or organ. The anthem would be particularly well-suited to a Palm Sunday or Advent service.

for upper voices, SATB, and harp My Perfect Stranger is a captivating setting of Kevin Crossley-Holland's retelling of the Christmas story. Following an expectant prologue, the central movement is rich in characterization as soloists from within the choir take on the roles of key players in the narrative, with the upper voices adopting the role of the guiding star, as well as enriching the texture at important moments in the story. Beginning with the harp ostinato of the prologue, the epilogue asks the listener to reflect on the story we have heard, challenging us to consider the part we might have played and asking 'what have you to say and sing?'. The work's vibrant part for harp makes for a compelling alternative to the more conventional keyboard accompaniment.

for SATB, violin, and piano A Prophecy of Dawn is an artfully crafted setting of a beautifully descriptive poem by Matthew Meiklejohn, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Second Boer War. The piece is rich in contrasting material, some of which recapitulates, and many of the text's images are apparent in the music, for example lively birdsong in the violin and a radiant shift into a major key at the poet's first mention of dawn. The violin part contributes much to the setting, and is permitted moments of virtuosity amidst the energetic piano writing and expansive choral textures.

for SATB unaccompanied and optional flute This warm and tender carol sets an evocative text by Norman Nicholson depicting Mary's gentle nurturing of her child. There is a beautiful simplicity in Chilcott's setting, which features sumptuous harmonies, lyrical melodies, and an optional part for flute that weaves in and out of the texture. The flute part is printed in the vocal score.

This delicate, spring-like poem, by poet Kevin Crossley-Holland, is an affectionate salutation to a newborn babe. The poet tells that the parents couldn't decide on a name for their baby, and that instead of imposing an inappropriate name on her, they will welcome her into the garden of the world and wait for her to 'declare' herself. After a hushed introduction of whispered welcomes, the voices burst into a dance-like song in celebration of the new arrival's homecoming.

for SATB and organ/piano with optional congregation Paul Drayton's setting of three stanzas from Laurence Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen' is poignant, dignified, and atmospheric. A serene and expressive refrain for unison voices (which the congregation may join in if desired) is interposed between evocatively turbulent passages for SATB choir. The accompaniment should ideally be played on the organ, but may be performed on the piano if organ is not available.

for unison upper voices, solo violin, and organ or piano Bednall's beautiful setting of this much-loved prayer is warm, simple, and immediate. The vocal line is expertly lyrical and the accompaniment suitably supporting, with a serene line for solo violin that soars above the texture. Ave Maria was recorded by Benenden Chapel Choir, conducted by Edward Whiting, Jennifer Pike (violin), and David Bednall (organ) on the CD 'Stabat Mater' (Regent, REGCD481).

for SATB and piano This rousing carol sets a text by the nineteenth-century Scottish poet Norval Clyne. Bassi's setting perfectly captures the contrast between light and darkness in Clyne's text, with simple vocal lines underscored by a busy piano part culminating in a powerful ending evoking the peels of church bells on Christmas morning. An orchestral accompaniment is available on hire/rental.

for SATB, piano, djembe, and cello This evocative anthem, from the larger work Snow Angel, is a piece of two halves. Opening with a haunting cello line, the first section ('God Will Give Orders') is mystical and ethereal, until a vibrant figure from the djembe lifts the music into the second section ('Sweet Child'), which is uplifting and bold in character, with a distinctly African feel and an effective a cappella ending. The instrumental parts are included in the vocal score, and a version for upper voices (SSAA) is also available.

for SATB unaccompanied Following a collaboration with Katie Melua on her 2016 album 'In Winter', Bob Chilcott has made a choral arrangement of this traditional Ukrainian carol, first introduced to the English-speaking world as 'Carol of the Bells', with lyrics that link it to Christmas. Here the original is presented in Ukrainian and English, with haunting and atmospheric folk motifs distributed between the parts.

for solo voice and SATB unaccompanied A familiar piece from the 100 Carols for Choirs stable, John Rutter's sublime arrangement of the haunting Appalachian carol I wonder as I wander, collected in the 1930s by musical folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles, is lilting and evocative, setting the scene with an affecting opening verse for solo voice.

These four splendid anthems were composed for the coronation of George II in October 1727 and have since retained a position at the heart of the English choral tradition. The popular anthem Zadok the priest has been performed at all subsequent coronations, and Handel's other contributions to the royal occasion - Let thy hand be strengthened, The King shall rejoice, and My heart is inditing - have the same majestic grandeur, with affecting contrasts between different sections of the sacred texts. The editor, Clifford Bartlett, has corrected various inconsistencies in Handel's score, and complete details of sources and editorial method, additional performance notes, and a critical commentary can be viewed in the companion full score available on hire. This continuo part is also available as part of the wind set.

for SA, piano, and percussion This is an uplifting and expressive setting of a fun, descriptive text by Christie Dickason that characterizes the sky in an imaginative way. The compelling melodies are underpinned by a dynamic piano part, often featuring rippling quavers, and charcterful interjections from the glockenspiel and suspended cymbal complement the narrative. A contrasting middle section in triple time quotes from the Northumbrian folk song 'When the boat comes in', while the final section is affirmatory in feel, emphatically repeating the final line of the poem, 'and I will grow'.

for SATB and piano Written for the 2016 'Requiem to Cancer' event at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, Now is the Time sets hopeful and inspirational words by Marie Curie. McDowall's setting is optimistic and appealing, with charming interplay between the voices and piano.

for soprano solo, SSATB, and organ As Each Leaf Dances is a setting of a powerful text by Kevin Crossley-Holland about the cruelty of child abuse being overcome by love and kindness. Reflecting this, the first section features a relentless organ part, jagged vocal lines, and dissonant harmonies, before giving way to a jaunty, dancing, and uplifting second section.

for SATB unaccompanied This anthem for unaccompanied choir juxtaposes the words of the Antiphon for the Washing of Feet on Maundy Thursday with 'The red rose whispers of passion' by the poet John Boyle O'Reilly. Jackson combines lyrical polyphonic phrases for upper and lower voices with atmospheric passages for full choir, frequently accompanied by repeated half-whispered text in free time.

for SATB (with divisions), cello, and piano This five-movement work celebrates the long Canadian winter, setting texts by the composer, Sara Teasdale, Lucy Maud Montgomery (of 'Anne of Green Gables' fame), and Melville Cane. Each movement depicts a different time of day, beginning with the cold darkness before dawn ('Timid Star') and concluding with the evening turning into dusk and then darkness ('Snow Toward Evening'). The music conjures up vivid images of a cold and crisp winter, and of swirling, dancing snowflakes.

for SATTBB unaccompanied This lively and joyous arrangement of the folksong 'Montagnarde' from the Haute-Auvergne region of France makes playful use of the call of the cuckoo in a catchy refrain. 'Montagnarde' is featured on the Tenebrae CD Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars (Signum, SIGCD903).