for SATB soloists or choir unaccompanied This powerful work is a sequence of meditations on loss and longing, of fear and of hope, by turns contemplative and dramatic. The narrative is made up of a selection of poems by four exiled Latvian writers from the group known as the Hell's Kitchen Poets and present-day displaced persons from Palestine and Syria. The text is in Latvian and English, and a pronunciation guide for the Latvian text is included in the vocal score. Jackson also employs percussion for dramatic effect, with three singers required to play brake drum, railway man's whistle, and claves. With all of the trademarks of Jackson's compelling musical style, this piece will be an exciting challenge for choirs looking to explore universal themes.

for SSATBB unaccompanied Skilfully set to the tender words of the poet E. E. Cummings, 'I carry your heart' is an unaccompanied secular work originally for men's voices, but rescored by the composer in this version for women and men. The piece was commissioned by the acclaimed close-harmony group, The King's Men, and was recorded on their album Love from King's.

for SAB and piano Chilcott has re-scored this serene, reflective anthem, originally for upper voices, for SAB, making it accessible to choirs with a limited number of male voices. A rich addition to the Choral Evensong repertory, the anthem presents an artful juxtaposition of an original setting of William Fuller's 'Evening Hymn', most famously set by Henry Purcell, with the plainsong melody for the Latin hymn 'Te lucis ante terminum', in J. M. Neale's English translation.

for SA and piano In this charming piece for upper voices and piano, Ramsey's characterization of the fairy's monologue from Act 2, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream is both fun and imaginative. The rhythmic fluidity, driving piano part, and clever accentuation perfectly complement Shakespeare's metre and rhyme scheme and bring the text to life. Over hill, over dale was originally published in the collection Hark, hark, the lark.

for SATB unaccompanied Images of Peace resulted from a request for a work that would encourage peace and understanding while not focussing on any particular creed or belief, and Alan Bullard approached this concept by choosing texts from a range of sources, including the English metaphysical and pastoral traditions, and the Taoist, Jewish, and Christian traditions. The set of five songs are designed as a symphonic whole, with the first and last ('Sweet Peace' and 'Bread of Peace') partly sharing the same material, book-ending three contrasting movements, a lively scherzo ('Rainbow of Peace'), an expressive slow movement ('Peace in the world'), and an elegant allegretto ('Doves of Peace').

for TTBB unaccompanied The Parting Glass is a traditional Scottish song, often sung as a farewell at the end of a get-together. Sarah Quartel's arrangement features close harmonies, idiomatic Scotch snap rhythms, and effective interjectory moments in what is a largely homophonic setting. With its valedictory message, it would make a fitting end to a performance, perhaps as an encore item.

for SATB unaccompanied This is a warm and contemplative setting of the medieval Latin hymn, suitable for communion services or for Lent, Passiontide, or Corpus Christi. Built around harmonic sequences and an appealing opening phrase, and with a gently romantic feel, Parry's setting offers a charming alternative to more familiar settings of these words.

for SATTBB & SA or SATB unaccompanied We are is a dynamic and vibrant setting of 'The human family', a powerful poem by American poet Maya Angelou. The poet's message that 'we are more alike than we are unalike' is carried through the piece by a compelling rhythmic figure, and the a cappella textures and interplay between voices creates an infectious energy. The rich texture of the double choir scoring allows the two groups of singers to work together to create the sense of unity and common purpose the poem speaks to. We are was commissioned by The King's Singers for their 50th anniversary celebrations and features on their album 'GOLD' (Signum, SIGCD500). The piece was originally presented with the first choir scoring as AATBarBarB, but has since been rescored for SATTBB, with the option for the second choir to be SA or SATB remaining unchanged.

for SATB and chamber ensemble A splendid curtain-raiser to Vivaldi's Gloria, Francesco Durante's artful Magnificat has long been misattributed to his pupil Pergolesi in a version for four voices, not five. Durante's vocally richer five-voice version has been chosen for the Sacred Choruses volume, which this orchestration accompanies, and merits performance as an alternative to the familiar four-voice version, which may or may not have been Durante's own work.

for SATB and chamber ensemble A splendid curtain-raiser to Vivaldi's Gloria, Francesco Durante's artful Magnificat has long been misattributed to his pupil Pergolesi in a version for four voices, not five. Durante's vocally richer five-voice version has been chosen for the Sacred Choruses volume, which this orchestration accompanies, and merits performance as an alternative to the familiar four-voice version, which may or may not have been Durante's own work. This complete set contains 4 x vln I, 4 x vln II, 2 x vc, 2 x db, 1 x continuo, and 1 x lute.

This companion volume provides organists with new, dedicated three-stave accompaniments to twenty-four of the twenty-eight choruses in the main Sacred Choruses volume. In every case, these organ transcriptions, made by John Rutter, are based directly on the original orchestral versions and will facilitate church performances without orchestra.

for SATB and piano This celebration of friendship is rich in expressive melodies and poignant harmonies, underpinned by sensitive piano writing. The text, by Delphine Chalmers, is inspired by French Renaissance essayist Michel de Montaigne's writings on friendship, from which the well known quotation 'If I am pressed to say why I loved him, I feel it can only be explained by replying: 'Because it was he; because it was me.'' originates. Eminently accessible, this piece is perfect for concert programmes celebrating friendship and community.

for SATB or upper voices, and orchestra or wind band The Future of Fire is a brief but powerful work. The vibrant scoring creates a feeling of explosive energy from beginning to end with intense bursts from a battery of percussion. The melodic material is taken from a popular and touching love song from Shannxi province in north-western China, which is coupled with rhythmic motives in both the orchestra/wind band and chorus. Folk melodies from this region use intervals of a minor seventh these angular leaps are suited to the dynamic spirit of this work. The chorus sings a vocalise based on repeated syllables that are found in Chinese folk songs, as well as many folk songs from around the world.

for SA and piano Commissioned by the Treble Makers Women's Choir to celebrate both their 10th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Canada, this secular work for upper voices sensitively sets Langston Hughes's poem of the same name. A lilting melodic line, eloquent part-writing, and an effective piano part combine to create a piece that will appeal to both youth and adult upper-voice choirs.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano This sombre and evocative 'Stabat mater' is taken from Passion Music, a concert and liturgical work that continues Todd's fusion of jazz and choral music so successfully blended in his Mass in Blue. The delicate piano part often falls away to spiritual a cappella sections, and a soaring line for solo soprano rises out of the texture to draw the setting to a close.

for SATB unaccompanied This gentle, lilting anthem sets verses from the psalms that speak of devotion to and delight in the Lord. Bednall's sophisticated and appealing musical language gives colour and expression to the text and creates a devotional atmosphere perfectly suited to the psalmists' words.

for SATB unaccompanied The Scholar is a sensitive setting of Robert Southey's poem that explores a man's kinship with the dead. With Bednall's characteristic metrical fluidity and effective word setting, this piece will provide a moment of quiet reflection in a concert programme.