This collection features thirteen much-loved Christmas hymns and sacred carols in appealing arrangements by John Rutter. It may be performed as sequence (with or without readings and prayers), forming a complete Christmas service or concert, or the pieces may be performed individually. Scores and parts for instrumental accompaniments to the individual pieces are available on sale. Several pieces from this collection available as separate leaflets: Ding dong! merrily on high; O Holy Night; Joy to the world!; Go, tell it on the mountain.

This collection presents fifteen of the finest and best-loved sacred carols and Christmas hymns, which can be sung as a set (to form a complete Christmas service or concert), separately, or with certain pieces taken out to suit the needs of a particular service or concert. Scores and parts for all of the instrumental accompaniments are available on hire individually and as a set, with scores and parts for several accompaniments also available on sale. Pieces from this collection available as separate leaflets: O come all ye faithful; Joy to the world; Away in a Manger; Silent Night; Rise up shepherd, and follow; Three Kings of Orient; Bring a Torch.

for SATB and piano, or brass quintet, timpani, and organ Chilcott's four-movement setting of the Latin Gloria will be welcomed by choirs looking for an uplifting and jubilant concert work. The driving 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' features syncopated rhythms and an upper-voice semi-chorus part in the 'Et in terra pax' section, which can be taken from the main choir. The tender yet majestic 'Domine Deus' leads into the lyrical 'Qui tollis peccata mundi', with interweaving melodic lines that express the solemnity of the text. Finally, the dancing 'Quonium tu solus sanctus' keeps singers on their toes with its upbeat tempo and lively cross-rhythms, culminating in exultant 'Amen's for a suitably exhilarating ending.

for SSATB and piano or chamber orchestra This gentle arrangement of Will L. Thompson's words and melody (1880) is ideal for mixed-voice choirs of all levels of experience. The melody is sympathetically treated, with simple vocal harmonizations alongside unison singing, reflecting the humble message of the text: 'Jesus is calling, come home'. The accompaniment, for piano or small orchestra, creates a lush bed of sound over which the voices resonate.

for SSAA unaccompanied This heartfelt setting of words by the composer begins with a pianissimo drone over which the sopranos introduce the expressive melody. With lush harmonies, moments of dynamic intensity, and an overriding sense of awe, it would make an ideal centrepiece for a Christmas or Epiphany concert or service. A version for SATB is also available.

for SATB and piano or small orchestra Set of parts for John Rutter's lively and joyful arrangement of this popular Christmas-themed African-American spiritual. Compatible with the JRAE vocal score and the O holy night collection. This set includes the following string parts: 4 x vln I, 4 x vln II, 3 x vla, 2 x vc, 1 x db.

This book charts the life of Arthur Sullivan-the best loved and most widely performed British composer in history. While he is best known for his comic opera collaborations with W. S. Gilbert, it was his substantial corpus of sacred music which meant most to him and for which he wanted to be remembered. His upbringing and training in church music, and his own religious beliefs, substantially affected both his compositions for the theatre and his more serious work, which included oratorios, cantatas, sacred ballads, liturgical pieces, and hymns. Focusing on the spiritual aspects of Sullivan's life-which included several years as a church organist, involvement in Freemasonry, and an undying attachment to Anglican church music-Ian Bradley uses hitherto undiscovered letters, diary entries, and other sources to reveal the important influences on his faith and his work. No saint and certainly no ascetic, he was a lover of life and enjoyed its pleasures to the full. At the same time, he had a rare spiritual sensitivity, a sincere Christian faith, and a unique ability to uplift through both his character and his music that can best be described as a quality of divine emollient.

A History of Western Choral Music explores the various genres, key composers, and influential works essential to the development of the western choral tradition. Author Chester L. Alwes divides this exploration into two volumes which move from Medieval music and the Renaissance era up to the 21st century. Volume I surveys the choral music of composers including Josquin, Palestrina, Purcell, Handel, and J.S. Bach while detailing the stylistic, textual, and extramusical considerations unique to the topics covered. Consideration of Renaissance music includes both sacred and secular works, specifically addressing the growth of sacred music, the rise of secular music, and the proliferation of sacred polyphony from Josquin to Palestrina. Discussion of the Baroque era is organized by geographic location, exploring the spread of Baroque style from Italy to German, France, and England. Volume I concludes by examining the aesthetic underpinnings of the early Classical and Romantic eras. Framing discussion within the political, religious, cultural, philosophical, aesthetic, and technological contexts of each era, A History of Western Choral Music offers readers specialized insight into major composers and works while providing a cohesive understanding of choral music's place in Western history.

for mixed choir (double choir for movement 3) with orchestra or chamber ensemble The Gift of Life is a six-movement choral celebration of the living earth and its creation. Setting a variety of sacred texts, including new words by the composer, the work includes the mystical 'Hymn to the Creator of Light', for double choir, as its central canticle. The surrounding movements offer a kaleidoscope of moods, from the spirited 'O all ye works of the Lord' to the majestic 'O Lord, how manifold are thy works' and culminating in the inspirational 'Believe in life'. The accompaniment is available in two versions: full orchestra or chamber ensemble. Orchestral material is available on hire/rental.

Shall I compare thee? is a collection of ten exquisite settings for mixed voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers.

Hark, hark, the lark is a collection of eight exquisite settings for upper voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Dances of Time is a diverse collection of five choral songs addressing different aspects of time. Texts ranging from biblical to twentieth century are set to Chilcott's attractive and characterful music, drawing on elements of dance forms in various styles. The work opens with a rhythmic setting of Henry VIII's famous text 'Pastime with good company', before the contrastingly wistful and reflective 'Today'. The carpe diem sentiment of 'Gather ye rosebuds' is heightened through its setting as a lively jig, and in 'To every thing there is a season' a central section presents the paired images of the text from Ecclesiastes, enclosed by almost hymn-like outer segments. The infectiously positive 'Life has loveliness' sums up the overall message of the collection: despite the passing of time, we can celebrate the present through music and singing.

for SSATB (with divisions) unaccompanied In Christus est stella, Will Todd sets words by the Venerable Bede, which are also found inscribed above Bede's tomb in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral. Featuring the original Latin text intertwined with an English translation, the piece is homophonic and by turns ecstatic and calmly contemplative. It is particularly suitable for All Saints, All Souls, and Remembrance Day, as well as for funerals. Christus est stella was originally published in the collection Cantica Nova.

for SATB and piano This captivating carol with words by Kevin Crossley-Holland features satisfyingly rich harmonies and a rippling piano accompaniment that draws inspiration from the water imagery of the text. In the mould of God be in my head (from the 1514 Sarum Primer), the words implore the Christ-child to dwell within us, and Chilcott's setting perfectly complements the text with its beguiling vocal lines and affirmatory feel.

for SATB and percussion (two players) This powerfully evocative and uplifting work celebrates the pursuit, and eventual discovery, of water. Brimming with freshness and vitality, The Miracle of the Spring encompasses an array of moods and styles that perfectly convey the essence of Charles Bennett's text, from the relentless rhythmic motifs depicting the parched landscape to the flowing aleatoric fragments suggesting the gushing of the spring. The simple percussion parts for glockenspiel, mark tree, and log drums add texture and drive to the a cappella voices and may be performed by two choir members or separate percussionists. Imbued with rich harmonies, infectious rhythms, and unforgettable melodies, this piece will leave both choir and audience feeling inspired.

for SATB and organ or small orchestra Recognising the frequency with which this buoyant Cornish carols is performed with organ accompaniment, the composer has taken the opportunity of this anniversary edition to make an organ reduction of the orchestral material. With its combination of pagan and Christian imagery and references to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this carol is well suited to performance at Passiontide and Easter, as well as at Christmas.

for SSA and piano This jubilant and uplifting carol is sure to become a Christmas classic. The memorable melodies have a fittingly dance-like quality, and the bell-like piano part adds festive sparkle, while providing a resolute rhythmic grounding. Coupling the familiar Christmas words with lesser-known verses of the traditional carol depicting Jesus in the wilderness and the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, this piece is suitable for concerts and services throughout the year.

for SSA or SSS and organ or strings Originally published in a version for mixed voices, this much-loved Rutter carol has been adapted by the composer for performance by upper-voice choirs. Full scores and Sets of Parts, specially composed for the upper-voice version, are available on sale and on hire/rental. The Set of Parts contains the following string parts: 4 x vln I, 4 x vln II, 3 x vla, 2 x vc, 1 x db.

Choral Scores is an anthology of music exemplifying distinctive choral repertoire by the most noteworthy composers throughout the history of Western music. A companion volume to Denis Shrock's Choral Repertoire (Oxford 2009), it presents works of salient importance to the development of choral music in Western culture, representing the music of the composers, eras, and movements discussed most prominently in that volume. Including 132 compositions by 124 different composers, each presented unabridged and in full score, and spanning the entirety of Western music history, from the medieval era through the twentieth century, and into the twenty-first, Choral Scores is the most thorough, and up-to-date collection of choral music available. Complete with an appendix offering literal translations of texts, as well as composer and genre indices, Choral Scores is an essential reference for choral scholars, teachers, and students alike.