The standard of congregational singing in mid-eighteenth-century parish churches was often in a parlous state, a situation viewed with alarm by many influential clergy and social commentators. In this authoritative study, Maggie Kilbey explores attempts to improve parochial music-making over the following century and the factors that played a part in their success or failure. Using Hertfordshire as a basis, original research by this respected author and historian uses a wide range of documentary evidence to reveal a complicated picture of influence and interaction between the gentry, clergymen and their parishioners. Her innovative approach to the social history of church music-making sheds light on interactions between militia and church bands, singers, organists, the role of charity school children and the use of barrel organs. Because of its proximity to London, Hertfordshire was particularly attractive to elites with an interest in the capital, and fell under the influence of metropolitan music-making more readily than less accessible parts of England. The involvement of both fashion-conscious and socially aware gentry was mirrored by those further down the social scale, and formed part of a complex pattern of support for church music-making. Unsurprisingly, this support was not universal, and often short-lived once initial enthusiasm or funding ran out. Consequently, although many attempts were made to 'improve' music-making in parish churches, sooner or later these were considered to be failures, swiftly forgotten - and then tried again. To make matters worse, church rate disputes hampered efforts to improve or sustain parish music-making during the nineteenth century, resulting in financial hardship for organists and other church musicians. Yet this was followed by an 1850s 'singing craze' which led to the formation of many church choirs, alterations to the church fabric, and installation of organs. This investigation into patterns of parochial music-making will appeal to both those with an interest in the history of music-making, and also those with a general interest in the social history of Hertfordshire.

for soprano and tenor solo, SATB chorus, and orchestra or small ensemble Following the success of Salisbury Vespers, Bob Chilcott further explores the large-scale liturgical genre with his solemn yet uplifting Requiem. Setting words from the Missa pro defunctis and the Book of Common Prayer, the work gives a new slant to established texts: a beautiful setting of 'Thou knowest, Lord' sits alongside the powerful 'Offertorio', driving 'Sanctus', and enchanting 'Pie Jesu'. Deserving of a place among the canon of previous settings, Chilcott's Requiem is an elegy for the modern day. Accompaniments for orchestra and small ensemble are available on hire, and the piano reduction in the vocal score may be adapted for performance on the organ.

for SSATB unaccompanied First performed by the choirs of St Paul's, Westminster Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey, this anthem sets a medieval English poem to contemplative music with all the hallmarks of McDowall's style: expressive melismas, well-placed astringent harmonies, and a strong modal feel. Ideal for cathedral and other church choirs. Pronunciation guide and modern rendition of the text included.

The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols is the perfect resource for choirs of all types and sizes. Each carol is presented with flexible scoring options, clearly explained throughout, enabling performance by various combinations of singers. With a fabulous range of accessible, quality material, including traditional favourites and carols written specially for the collection, this is a must-have for all choirs at Christmas.

for SATB and organ or brass ensemble This rousing Jubilate was written in 2009 for Matthew Owens and the choirs of Wells Cathedral as a companion piece to the composer's Winchester Te Deum; it has the same instrumentation. With its strong melody and rich textures and harmonies, this work will prove immensely popular with all lovers of Rutter's music. An accompaniment for brass ensemble is available on hire.

for chorus, chamber choir, and children's choir, or large divisi chorus, with orchestra and organ or brass ensemble and organ. Showcasing Chilcott's exceptional talent for large-scale choral writing, Salisbury Vespers pays homage to this most ancient of services, combining settings of the traditional Vespers psalms with anonymous early texts and words from the Sarum Primer of 1516. Marian motets punctuate the psalm settings, and the work is concluded with a substantial setting of the Magnificat, using the plainsong melody from the same section in Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610. With driving rhythms, passages of reflective contemplation, and expansive, powerful textures, this is sure to become a mainstay of the modern choral repertory for years to come. Written for large mixed choir, chamber choir, and children's choir, Salisbury Vespers could equally be performed by a large mixed choir, with the parts for chamber choir and children's choir being sung by smaller sections taken from within the large choir. Vocal scores are available on sale and on hire/rental.

for SATB choir, solo trumpet, and organ Commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Barbers in celebration of their 700th anniversary and first performed at the United Guilds Service in St Paul's Cathedral in March 2008, this is an impressive and stately setting of verses from Psalm 90, culminating in a jubilant, maestoso final section. The work would suit any festive service or concert. The trumpet part is available separately.

The Kumulipo (1897) is a traditional chant translated by Lili'uokalani. Published in 1897, the translation was written in the aftermath of Lili'uokalani's attempt to appeal on behalf of her people to President Grover Cleveland, a personal friend. Although she inspired Cleveland to demand her reinstatement, the United States Congress published the Morgan Report in 1894, which denied U.S. involvement in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Kumulipo, written during the Queen's imprisonment in Iolani Palace, is a genealogical and historical epic that describes the creation of the cosmos and the emergence of humans, plants, and animals from "the slime which established the earth." "At the time that turned the heat of the earth, / At the time when the heavens turned and changed, / At the time when the light of the sun was subdued / To cause light to break forth, / At the time of the night of Makalii (winter) / Then began the slime which established the earth, / The source of deepest darkness." Traditionally recited during the makahiki season to celebrate the god Lono, the chant was passed down through Hawaiian oral tradition and contains the history of their people and the emergence of life from chaos. A testament to Lili'uokalani's intellect and skill as a poet and songwriter, her translation of The Kumulipo is also an artifact of colonization, produced while the Queen was living in captivity in her own palace. Although her attempt to advocate for Hawaiian sovereignty and the restoration of the monarchy was unsuccessful, Lili'uokalani, Hawaii's first and only queen, has been recognized as a beloved monarch who never stopped fighting for the rights of her people. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lili'uokalani's The Kumulipo is a classic of Hawaiian literature reimagined for modern readers.

for SATB or SSA, piano, and optional bass and drum kit ad lib.
This fantastic backing CD, recorded by a professional jazz trio, is ideal for use in both rehearsals and concerts. Compatible with the mixed-voice and upper-voice versions of A Little Jazz Mass, it is sure to inspire breathtaking performances from all choirs

A classic Episcopal hymnal which includes the Supplemental Liturgical Index and collection of service music from 1961.

for SATB choir (with soprano solo) and strings or keyboard This beautiful and moving piece in seven sections combines text from the Ave maris stella antiphon and Psalms 26 and 106. Starting and finishing in a mood of peace and certainty, the work is structured around a turbulent middle section anticipating the gathering storm. Orchestral material and vocal scores are available on hire/rental.

This book contains 50 easy piano arrangements of popular praise and worship songs that are sung in churches everywhere. The arrangements, by leading Christian music arranger Carol Tornquist, sound great both as piano solos and for sing-alongs. Complete lyrics are included along with basic chord symbols. Titles: 10,000 Reasons * Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) * Be the Centre * Beautiful One * Better Is One Day * Blessed Be Your Name * Blessings * Breathe * Come, Now Is the Time to Worship * Cry of My Heart * Draw Me Close * Everlasting God * Forever * Give Thanks * God of Wonders * Great Is the Lord * Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) * He Knows My Name * The Heart of Worship * Here I Am to Worship * Holy, Holy, Holy * Holy Is the Lord * Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) * How Deep the Father's Love for Us * How Great Is Our God * I Could Sing of Your Love Forever * I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121) * I Love You, Lord * In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) * In the Secret * Indescribable * Jesus Messiah * Lord I Lift Your Name on High * Lord Reign In Me * Majesty (Here I Am) * Mighty to Save * More Love, More Power * Open the Eyes of My Heart * Our God * Revelation Song * Shout to the Lord * Sing to the King * Take My Life (Holiness) * Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) * We Fall Down * The Wonderful Cross * You Are My All in All * You Are My King (Amazing Love) * Your Grace Is Enough * You're Worthy of My Praise.

Taking seriously the practice and not just the theory of music, this ground-breaking collection of essays establishes a new standard for the interdisciplinary conversation between theology, musicology, and liturgical studies. The public making of music in our society happens more often in the context of chapels, churches, and cathedrals than anywhere else. The command to sing and make music to God makes music an essential part of the DNA of Christian worship. The book's three main parts address questions about the history, the performative contexts, and the nature of music. Its opening four chapters traces how accounts of music and its relation to God, the cosmos, and the human person have changed dramatically through Western history, from the patristic period through medieval, Reformation and modern times. A second section examines the role of music in worship, and asks what-if anything-makes a piece of music suitable for religious use. The final part of the book shows how the serious discussion of music opens onto considerations of time, tradition, ontology, anthropology, providence, and the nature of God. A pioneering set of explorations by a distinguished group of international scholars, this book will be of interest to anyone interested in Christianity's long relationship with music, including those working in the fields of theology, musicology, and liturgical studies.

The Hispanic rite, a medieval non-Roman Western liturgy, was practiced across the Iberian Peninsula for over half a millennium and functioned as the most distinct marker of Christian identity in this region. As Christians typically began every liturgical day throughout the year by singing a vespertinus, this chant genre in particular provides a unique window into the cultural and religious life of medieval Iberia. The Hispanic rite has the largest corpus of extant manuscripts of all non-Roman liturgies in the West, which testifies to the importance placed on their transmission through political and cultural upheavals. Its chants, however, use a notational system that lacks clear specification of pitch and has kept them barred from in-depth study. Text, Liturgy and Music in the Hispanic Rite is the first detailed analysis of the interactions between textual, liturgical, and musical variables across the entire extant repertoire of a chant genre central to the Hispanic rite, the vespertinus. By approaching the vespertini through a holistic methodology that integrates liturgy, melody, and text, author Raquel Rojo Carrillo identifies the genre's norms and traces the different shapes it adopts across the liturgical year and on different occasions. In this way, the book offers an unprecedented insight into the liturgical edifice of the Hispanic rite and the daily experience of Christians in medieval Iberia.

This is the only English translation of this important book by the world's most distinguished Bach scholar. This work is widely regarded as the most authoritative and comprehensive treatment of the Bach cantatas. It begins with a historical survey of the seventeenth-century background to the cantatas, and performance practice issues. The core of the book is a work-by-work study in which each cantata in turn is represented by its libretto, a synopsis of its movements, and a detailed analytical commentary. This format makes it extremely useful as a reference work for anyone listening to, performing in, or studying any of the Bach cantatas. In this edition all the cantata librettos are given in German-English parallel text. The most recent (sixth) German edition appeared in 1995. For the English edition the text has been carefully revised to bring it up to date, taking account of Bach scholarship since that date.

The performance and composition of liturgical music at El Escorial re-examined. Philip II of Spain founded the great Spanish monastery and royal palace of El Escorial in 1563, promoting within it a musical foundation whose dual function as royal chapel and monastery in the service of a Counter Reformation monarch was unique; this volume explores the performance and composition of liturgical music there from its beginnings to the death of Charles II in 1700. It traces the ways in which music styles and practices responded to the the changing functions of the institution, challenging notions about Spanish musical patronage, scrutinising musical manuscripts, uncovering the biographical details of hundreds of musicians, and examining musical practices. Michael Noone is Professor of Musicology at the University of Hong Kong.

Compositional Choices and Meaning in the Vocal Music of J. S. Bach collects seventeen essays by leading Bach scholars. The authors each address in some way such questions of meaning in J. S. Bach's vocal compositions-including his Passions, Masses, Magnificat, and cantatas-with particular attention to how such meaning arises out of the intentionality of Bach's own compositional choices or (in Part IV in particular) how meaning is discovered, and created, through the reception of Bach's vocal works. And the authors do not consider such compositional choices in a vacuum, but rather discuss Bach's artistic intentions within the framework of broader cultural trends-social, historical, theological, musical, etc. Such questions of compositional choice and meaning frame the four primary approaches to Bach's vocal music taken by the authors in this volume, as seen across the book's four parts: Part I: How might the study of historical theology inform our understanding of Bach's compositional choices in his music for the church (cantatas, Passions, masses)? Part II: How can we apply traditional analytical tools to understand better how Bach's compositions were created and how they might have been heard by his contemporaries? Part III: What we can understand anew through the study of Bach's self-borrowing (i.e., parody), which always changed the earlier meaning of a composition through changes in textual content, compositional characteristics, the work's context within a larger composition, and often the performance context (from court to church, for example)? Part IV: What can the study of reception teach us about a work's meaning(s) in Bach's time, during the time of his immediate successors, and at various points since then (including our present)? The chapters in this volume thus reflect the breadth of current Bach research in its attention not only to source study and analysis, but also to meanings and contexts for understanding Bach's compositions.