for SATB unaccompanied This paean to the divine creation of the world sets part of the Benedicite text from the US Book of Common Prayer. The four unaccompanied voice parts are used to great effect, with phrases often beginning in a strong unison before opening out into rich and colourful harmonies. Helvey highlights the words through the use of homophonic textures and changing time signatures to follow the natural stresses of the text.

Today's choral directors are faced with the dilemma of how to teach music literacy within the demands of a school system increasingly focused on testing outcomes and high-level performances. Many teachers feel they simply do not have the classroom time for adequate sight singing and ear training instruction, and those who do set aside the time for it face a dearth of engaging teaching materials. Solfege and Sonority is a guide for teaching music literacy in a choral rehearsal, with a focus on the needs of teachers who work with young singers. The book lays out teaching sequences for melodic and rhythmic concepts, lesson plans, and concise strategies for introducing key techniques. The graduated progression of topics starts from teaching basic concepts, such as "do-re-mi," and ends with more complex subjects, such as minor modes and the sight reading of more advanced music. The individual lessons themselves are short (no more than 4-6 minutes) and comprehensive, encouraging singers to develop a literacy of rhythm and melody together. By developing 18 easy-to-use lessons for teachers and conductors and tying the lessons to the teacher's current repertoire, longtime choral director and teacher David Xiques has created a practical and viable solution to the challenges of many conductors. The book features a comprehensive companion website that includes videos of exercises, worksheets, and teaching materials.

for soprano solo, SATB, and optional organ This is a peaceful setting of the Latin hymn text, translated by J. M. Neale. Partially based on the plainsong melody Conditur alme siderum, the music features sonorous harmonies, subtle time changes, and fluid choral homophony, with a beautiful soprano solo that floats over the other voices. The work may be performed unaccompanied or with organ doubling the voices (excluding the solo line). It is suitable for both general use and Christmas.

for SSAA and piano Here in my Heart is an uplifting and optimistic setting of an original text by the composer that explores the power of the natural world to fill the heart with song. The evocative melody perfectly complements the theme of the text and uses duplets and syncopated rhythms to create a lilting sense of ebb and flow. The rippling piano part and increasingly rich textures build to bring the piece to an emotive close.

for SATB and organ or large orchestra Adapted from a version originally written for baritone Bryn Terfel, this choral setting of Wilberg's arrangement presents the popular Welsh hymn (Cwm Rhondda) with two English translation options, reflecting text preferences of different denominations. The accompaniment and harmonies provide a new flavour, and a reflective opening gradually gives way to a powerful sense of reverence. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah features on the Deutsche Grammophon album Homeward Bound, in an arrangement for baritone (Bryn Terfel) and choir.

for SATB (with opt. solos) and organ or piano, or with small orchestra or chamber group A Light in the Stable tells the Christmas story through a blend of original settings and well-known carols, and is suitable for both concert and church choirs. The familiar Gospel words (which may be spoken, sung, or replaced with other appropriate readings) are interspersed with a range of new material, including the lively 'Glory to God'; 'Sing Lullaby', in which Mary foreshadows the events of Jesus' life; and the reflective 'A Light for Today', an evocation of the Nativity tableau. The audience/congregation are encouraged to join in for some carols, and choir and listeners will delight in the new settings of familiar words. A range of soloists may optionally take some of the vocal lines, and the accompaniment is equally flexible. A wonderful companion to Bullard's Advent celebration, O Come, Emmanuel, this work is perfect for anyone looking for a new take on familiar Christmas words and melodies.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Setting a specially written text by Charles Bennett, this gentle lullaby reflects on the role of the animals and angels in the nativity, compelling us to follow their lead and create our own Christmas scene wherever we are. Chilcott's choral writing is characteristically warm and lush, with some divisi, and the singable melodies are shared between the parts. Song of the Crib features on the Naxos CD of Bob Chilcott's Christmas music, The Rose in the Middle of Winter.

for tenor solo and SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This reflective winter carol features a prominent melody line, taken in two verses by the tenor soloist, which is supported by a gentle accompanying figure in the other voices. The minor tonality reflects the sentiments of the newly written text by Charles Bennett; while we can present temporary gifts for the child of winter, only his arrival will bring 'our summer without end'.

Today's choral directors are faced with the dilemma of how to teach music literacy within the demands of a school system increasingly focused on testing outcomes and high-level performances. Many teachers feel they simply do not have the classroom time for adequate sight singing and ear training instruction, and those who do set aside the time for it face a dearth of engaging teaching materials. Solfege and Sonority is a guide for teaching music literacy in a choral rehearsal, with a focus on the needs of teachers who work with young singers. The book lays out teaching sequences for melodic and rhythmic concepts, lesson plans, and concise strategies for introducing key techniques. The graduated progression of topics starts from teaching basic concepts, such as "do-re-mi," and ends with more complex subjects, such as minor modes and the sight reading of more advanced music. The individual lessons themselves are short (no more than 4-6 minutes) and comprehensive, encouraging singers to develop a literacy of rhythm and melody together. By developing 18 easy-to-use lessons for teachers and conductors and tying the lessons to the teacher's current repertoire, longtime choral director and teacher David Xiques has created a practical and viable solution to the challenges of many conductors. The book features a comprehensive companion website that includes videos of exercises, worksheets, and teaching materials.

for SSATB (with divisions) unaccompanied A setting of one of the seven Advent 'O' Antiphons, O Oriens makes use of luxurious and exotic harmonies, creating a shimmering texture reminiscent of the biblical Morning Star referenced in the title. The focus on human enlightenment in winter's darkness means the piece is equally suitable for secular celebrations of Christmas. It was commissioned for the Choir of Merton College, Oxford, and in 2013 was shortlisted for a British Composer Award.

for SATB and organ or orchestra This noble and patriotic piece is a setting of the well-known tune 'America' (also known as the British National Anthem). Wilberg opens effectively with solo unison men, and the accompaniment creeps in quietly. A women's verse then follows, before full choral homophony creates an atmosphere of worship and optimism. Orchestral material is available on hire/rental.

for SA and piano This thoughtful arrangement of the well-known spiritual 'Somebody's knockin' at yo' do'' was originally published as part of the collection Spirituals for Upper Voices. The two vocal lines are eminently singable, with melodic interest in both parts, making the arrangement ideal for both children's and women's choirs of all levels of experience. Containing a recognisable knocking motif, the piano part is expressive, harmonically interesting, and supportive.

for upper-voice choir, SATB choir, piano, and optional timpani Setting a newly written text by Charles Bennett, this fifteen-minute choral work takes singers on a journey through five historical events: the invention of printing, the abolition of slavery, the first powered flight, the discovery of penicillin, and the first man in space. In each movement, music and words come together to create a strikingly vivid and personal account of each protagonist's experience, from the printer seeing 'each letter like a person' to the astronaut commenting on the beauty of our planet from space. Chilcott's music is as captivating as ever, with energy in abundance alongside moments of clarity and stillness. This is an ideal concert work for choirs looking to perform with an upper-voice group, or for larger SATB choruses with divisi sopranos and altos. The optional timpani part is printed separately at the back of the score.

for SATB and organ or orchestra or unaccompanied This anthology of 9 mixed-voice anthems combines new material written specially for the collection with established favourites from the Oxford catalogue, some of which appear here for the first time with SATB scoring. Containing both accompanied and a cappella pieces, and with festive anthems (with keyboard or orchestral accompaniment) alongside short, gentle blessings, Mack Wilberg Anthems contains an attractive selection of pieces suitable for a variety of liturgical seasons and will appeal to all mixed-voice church choirs.

for SAATTBB unaccompanied What sweeter music is an atmospheric setting of Robert Herrick's popular Christmas text. The carol opens with hushed, interweaving choral lines, creating a soft veil of sound that expands texturally and dynamically into an expressive central section. The sustained melodic interest in every part combines to create a gorgeous work that choirs will find a true pleasure to sing. What sweeter music will be included on a forthcoming CD by Commotio.

Music as Prayer explores the spiritual and theological character of church music. Author Thomas H. Troeger-a theologian, preacher, poet and flutist-traces how making and listening to music can be an act of prayer, a way of sensing the irrepressible resilience of the divine vitalities, in down-to-earth language that everyone can enjoy. The book employs a wide range of perspectives: from scientific observations about the affect of music on the brain, to the insights of early church fathers about the place of music in worship, to the compositions of great composers and their reflections upon their art, to the Bible and theologians, to organists, choir directors and instrumentalists, to hymnists and poets. Listening to the wisdom of these varied tribes, Troeger finds them to be a cloud of witnesses, a choir giving testimony to how music puts the human heart in touch with the spirit in times of sorrow and seeking, in times of joy and gratitude. The book is addressed to listeners and performers alike, instrumentalists and singers, clergy and seminarians, worship committees and congregation members, scholars and teachers of liturgy and sacred music. It helps musicians and clergy to develop a mutual understanding of the theological and spiritual dimensions of their collaborative work. As a whole, the book celebrates the ministry of making music that awakens people to those gifts of the spirit that sustain hope, promote healing, and enliven a visionary faith in the possibility of a transformed world.

for SATB and organ Setting an original text by the composer, this exuberant carol celebrates the birth of Jesus with a lively tempo and bouncing rhythms. Featuring a spirited organ part and a variety of choral textures, Angels tell the Christmas story is ideal for both concert and liturgical use, and is sure to fill audiences with Christmas joy!

for SATB (with optional solos) and organ or piano or small orchestra or chamber group O Come, Emmanuel is an Advent Celebration, suitable for both church and concert choirs. It is based on the 7 Great 'O' Antiphons, and fragments of the well-known plainsong hymn permeate the work. To these, Bullard has added settings of a number of other Advent texts and hymns, including the beautiful 'There is a rose-tree', a rousing setting of 'Chanticleer Carol', and new arrangements of 'Gabriel's Message' and 'Joy to the world!'. The work may be sung throughout by SATB choir, or a range of soloists may take some of the lines. The accompaniment - for organ or piano, or with small orchestra or chamber group - is equally flexible. A number of the movements make highly effective separate pieces and anthems. Written with the composer's long and practical experience, O Come, Emmanuel is a strikingly original work for Advent and Christmas that will enhance both liturgical celebrations and concert programmes at this time.

for SS and organ This gentle carol sets the text of Isaac Watts' popular 'Cradle Song' to the music of Charles Villiers Stanford's lullaby, 'Golden slumbers, kiss your eyes', from his Six Songs (op. 19), written in 1882. In Moore's arrangement, the graceful, lilting melody is enhanced by sensitive choral harmonies that explore a variety of textures. Also available for SATB.

for SATB and organ or orchestra This is a grand and exultant arrangement of the hymn tune 'Llanfair' and is presented with two text options: 'Hail the day that sees him rise' for use at Easter, and 'Praise the Lord! his glories show' for the rest of the year. Wilberg has treated the melody in several ways, including a four-part unaccompanied verse and a jubilant descant (optional); the accompaniment adds further triumphant colour with fanfares and scalic flourishes.

for SATB unaccompanied This edition of the Salve Regina by Portuguese composer Diogo Dias Melgas (1638-1700) is the first published version of the work, which has previously only been available in a library edition. Suitable for liturgical or concert performance, this setting is in four equally active parts throughout, each of which takes the initial plainsong motif at the opening. The effectiveness of this moving work lies in the skilful manipulation of simple motivic material, through the use of devices such as parallel writing, sequences, repetition, suspensions, and hocket. The vocal score is presented alongside detailed performance and editorial notes, and an optional basso continuo part appears as an appendix. Salve Regina is featured on The Sixteen's CD 'A Golden Age of Portuguese Music', conducted by Harry Christophers (COR16020).

for SATB and organ This is a new original setting of the well-known Christmas text, translated from Polish by Edith Reed. With a gentle melody, warm harmonies, and a graceful organ accompaniment, Infant Holy will make a moving feature in any mixed-voice choir's Christmas festivities, and is a fresh alternative to the famous Polish carol.