for SATB and organ A celebratory carol in a lilting 12/8 metre, Christmas Welcome sets a joyful fifteenth-century text written by the English priest and poet John the Blind Audelay. Whitbourn employs textural contrasts and call-and-response style pairings of voices to great effect, and the soloistic organ writing allows plenty of opportunity for organists to explore the full range of their instrument.

The first investigation into the choral foundation of the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle. The Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle, was the place of worship of the British monarch's representative in Ireland from 1814 until the inception of the Irish Free State in 1922. It was founded and maintained by the joint efforts of church and state, and thus its history provides valuable insights into how the relationship between religion and politics shaped Irish society and identity. The Dublin Chapel was established in imitation of the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace, London, and was served by a staff of clergy and musicians. Its musical foundation was a formal and independent entity, with its own personnel and performance traditions. Its distinctive repertoire included music from the English and Irish cathedral traditions, as well as works written by composers associated directly with the Chapel. This study investigates the Chapel's constitution, liturgy and music through an examination of previously unexplored primary material. Discussion of the circumstances of the Chapel's founding and its governance structures situates the institution in the context of the church-state relationship that existed following the Union of 1800. Further, by exploring architecture, churchmanship and musical style, O'Shea demonstrates how the Chapel was part of a wider aesthetic and liturgical tradition. The choral foundation is brought to life with accounts of the Chapel's clergy, organists, boy choristers and gentleman singers, which provide insights into Dublin's social history during a period of significant change. This book reflects on the Dublin Chapel Royal's legacy a century after its closure and offers a new perspective into a forgotten corner of Irish cultural, religious and political history.

for SATB unaccompanied This gentle carol sets a well-known text, 'Balulalow', that paints an image of Mary singing a lullaby to Jesus. Bullard's gentle sways and lilting rhythms reflect the story, while soft dynamics and warm harmonies create a tender quality throughout. The third verse begins emphatically, praising the 'gift' of the New Year, before finishing on a tranquil, contemplative note.

for SATB unaccompanied with optional congregation William Blake's poem, 'A Cradle Song', is brought to life in this elegant setting by Chilcott. The gentle, recurring melody is passed from sopranos to altos, supported by 'oo's and 'ah's in the lower voices. In the last section, the congregation (or semi-chorus) joins in with 'Away in a manger', which is skilfully weaved into the vocal texture as a countermelody. This is truly a carol for everyone.

for SATB and piano or organ or trio A lilting 3/4 metre carries the listener through this familiar Christmas story, beautifully depicted in a text by the composer. Rutter employs artful word-painting throughout, and the verse-refrain structure enables the compelling melody to soon become as familiar as any traditional carol of the season. Christ our Emmanuel may be accompanied by piano or organ, or by flute, oboe, and harp. 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.

for SATB and piano or organ or trio A lilting 3/4 metre carries the listener through this familiar Christmas story, beautifully depicted in a text by the composer. Rutter employs artful word-painting throughout, and the verse-refrain structure enables the compelling melody to soon become as familiar as any traditional carol of the season. Christ our Emmanuel may be accompanied by piano or organ, or by flute, oboe, and harp. 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.

for SATB and piano Ring the bells is a joyful setting of a text by Frances Crosby that celebrates the coming of Christmas. Written in a lively compound time, the carol explores one melodic refrain through numerous keys and textures, giving each verse a different energy. The voices are supported by resonant harmonies in the piano that cheerfully mimic the 'bells' and 'harps' in the text.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano This is a high energy, foot-tap inducing setting of a well-known text. The bluesy melodies, jazzy harmonies, and swung rhythms give the piece a gospel feel and fill you with the infectious urge to boogie along to the music. Powerful voices and enthusiasm required. An optional bass and drum kit part is available as a free PDF download from the OUP website. Also available in a version for SSA and piano.

for SA (with soprano solo) and piano This thought-provoking carol takes up the topical theme of the plight of refugees, drawing parallels with the stories and reception of Christ's birth. The text, by the composer, alludes to familiar lines from the Coventry Carol, rooting the piece in tradition while encouraging us to consider our present. The verses feature contrasting textures and changing metres, while a soft, reflective refrain stands steadfastly in triple metre. This carol was originally published in a version for unaccompanied mixed voices, with soprano solo.

for SSA and piano This is a high energy, foot-tap inducing setting of a well-known text. The bluesy melodies, jazzy harmonies, and swung rhythms give the piece a gospel feel and fill you with the infectious urge to boogie along to the music. Powerful voices and enthusiasm required. Also available in a version for SATB and piano. An optional bass and drum kit part is available as a free PDF download from the OUP website.

for SATB (with divisions) and organ Setting his own text, Archer's new carol is specifically dedicated to Mary. 'Ave Maria's are interspersed between flowing melodies that rock gently in 3/4 time, while the central section offers brief introspection in the tonic minor. Accompanied by a supportive organ part throughout, the voices finish with a jazzy chord progression, leaving behind a warm, Christmassy feeling.

for SATB unaccompanied or with optional handbells (or percussion, or organ) Sarah Quartel brings a fresh take on a familiar fifteenth-century text in this enchanting carol. 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). Also available in a version for upper voices.

Though the monastic writings of St John Cassian have been enduringly popular, his reputation (not least as a theological author) has been seriously compromised. A. M. C. Casiday begins with an evaluation of conventional ideas about Cassian and, finding them seriously flawed, offers the first sustained attempt at re-reading Cassian's works for their theological significance. Specific attention is called to the Christological aspects of Cassian's monastic anthropology. Throughout, reference is made to Cassian's contemporaries - both well-known figures like Augustine of Hippo, Evagrius Ponticus, Vincent of L rins, and Nestorius, and lesser-known figures such as Prosper of Aquitaine, Valerian of Cimiez, and Paul of Tamma - in order to offer an analysis of Cassian's writings and their significance that is unencumbered by anachronism.

for SSATB unaccompanied Written to commemorate the centenary of the foundation of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Brightest Star sets a powerful text by Sean Street. The poem describes the call for assistance made by the occupied Channel Islands in 1944 and the response of the Red Cross ship, the Vega, which came to their aid, drawing parallels between this story and the light and hope of the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany. The bleak wartime conditions are portrayed by dissonant harmony and downward sliding phrases, and extracts from the Bailiff of Jersey's letter of appeal, sung by the lower voices, draw attention to the gravity of the situation. In contrast, the upper voices bring an ethereal quality to the texture, with closing phrases that are suggestive of the traditional French carol Les anges dans nos campagnes ('Angels, from the realms of glory').