for SATB and piano or piano four-hands or orchestra Wilberg's arrangement of the Christmas favourite Deck the hall is bright and energetic from beginning to end. After an uplifting introduction going through several keys, the choir sings the three carol verses in up to seven parts. The accompaniment provides both a harmonic underpinning and almost continuous flourishing semiquaver movement. Further modulations throughout the piece lead to an extended 'fa la la' section to bring the piece to an exhilarating close.

for SATB and piano/small orchestra Christmas Lullaby was commissioned in 1989 by the Bach Choir in celebration of the seventieth birthday of its conductor, Sir David Willcocks. The haunting melody of the verses and the reflective refrain of 'Ave Maria' have made this an immensely popular carol.

for SATB unaccompanied Described by Elgar as an elegy for unaccompanied chorus, this mournful, reverent, and dignified setting was composed for a service commemorating Queen Victoria on the anniversary of her death. The text is by Cardinal John Henry Newman, whose poem The Dream of Gerontius was set by Elgar in one of his most enduringly popular works.

for SATB and continuo Bach's motets are essential pillars of the choral repertory, and the irresistibly joyful Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden is a wonderful introduction to them for choirs unfamiliar with the works. It features concise contrapuntal writing and a sophisticated harmonic language, yet the vocal lines are not excessively demanding. John Rutter's edition includes helpful performance suggestions and background information, and full scores and instrumental parts are available on hire from the publisher.

for SATB (with divisions) and piano This arrangement of Gruber's timeless carol is warm and gentle. The first two verses are accompanied by gentle arpeggiated figures, leading to a third and final verse which is given profound depth through its largely unaccompanied scoring. The carol was recorded by the Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter, on the The John Rutter Christmas Album (Collegium Records CSCD510). Conductor's scores and instrumental parts are available from the publisher, as is Rutter's alternative unaccompanied arrangement.

for SATB and optional congregation with two keyboards, timpani, and percussion, or full orchestra or concert band Setting this classic American patriotic song, which dates back to the Civil War, Rutter makes prominent use of trumpets and percussion to create a rousing arrangement. The setting is equally effective when accompanied by the two keyboard parts of the reduced vocal score, which may be performed by two pianos, piano and organ, piano and synthesiser, or two synthesisers. Orchestral and band parts are available on hire.

for SATB and organ Rutter composed this elegant setting of the Evensong canticle Nunc Dimittis in homage to and in the style of composer Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, whose own Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis settings are staples of the English sacred choral repertoire. An accompanying setting of the Magnificat (My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord) is also available from Oxford University Press.

for SATB and organ Rutter composed this elegant setting of the Magnificat in homage to and in the style of composer Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, whose own Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis settings are staples of the English sacred choral repertoire. An accompanying setting of the Nunc Dimittis (Depart In Peace) is also available from Oxford University Press.

for SATB unaccompanied This joyful setting of an old Irish air, arranged by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and edited by John Rutter, features a text by Thomas Moore on life's fleeting pleasures. It alternates between cheerful louder sections and mischievous quieter passages, before a charmingly hushed ending. A recording can be found on the Collegium CD There is sweet music (CSCD 505) by the Cambridge Singers, conducted by John Rutter.

for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This festive arrangement of a traditional German carol features an English text, translated and adapted by John Rutter himself. The first two verses are sung by soloists (or alternatively by a semi-chorus over a background of choral hums) before all singers come together in the final verse and then fade into solemn stillness.

for SATB, congregation, and organ In this version of the popular English hymn, Rutter adorns the well-known melody with an opening fanfare and soaring descant line over the final verse. It is intended that the congregation join in the singing. Full scores and sets of parts for the brass ensemble accompaniment are available on hire from Oxford University Press.

for SA and harp or piano This arrangement of the hymn tune Royal Oak is not to be confused with Rutter's famous original composition of the same title, which also sets the beloved text by C.F. Alexander. The elegant text praising God's creation, combined with Rutter's skilful handling of the hymn tune, makes this piece ideally suited for any religious service.

for SA and harp or piano This gentle arrangement of the well-known Gaelic folk tune Morning Has Broken, also known as the hymn tune Bunessan, is part of a collection of six hymn arrangements for choir with harp or piano. The entire series of hymn arrangements has been recorded by the Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter, on the Collegium CD Sing, ye heavens (COLCD 126), and individual leaflets from the series, as well as a harp part for all six, are available on sale from Oxford University Press.