Alan Bullard

Alan Bullard’s bestselling Joining The Dots series now includes this book for Grade 2 that helps to develop sight-reading skills for singers. By working through a vast number of creative exercises and pieces students can prepare for those all-important ABRSM Singing Grade 2 exams. The books can also be used to build confidence in musicianship classes as a resource for choirs or audition preparation.   Joining The Dots Singing covers the requirements for ABRSM’s sight-singing tests at Grade 2 and includes:   Workoutsalong with simple songs to build the required rhythm and pitch skills for that specific grade Characterful pieces to sight-sing in a range of approachable musical styles Simple improvisation exercises in which students can explore ideas and develop their sense of rhythm and key Songs and rounds to sing with others for additional sight-singing practice or to learn quickly and sing for fun   Alan Bullard is a composer and ABRSM examiner. He studied at the Royal College of Music and the University of Nottingham and taught in further and higher education for many years. He has written many songs and choral works and his music is widely performed and appears on a number of recordings.

Alan Bullard’s bestselling Joining The Dots series now includes this book for Grade 4 that helps to develop sight-reading skills for singers. By working through a vast number of creative exercises and pieces students can prepare for those all-important ABRSM Singing Grade 4 exams. The books can also be used to build confidence in musicianship classes as a resource for choirs or audition preparation. Joining The Dots Singing covers the requirements for ABRSM’s sight-singing tests at Grade 4 and includes: Workouts along with simple songs to buildthe required rhythm and pitch skills for that specific grade Characterful pieces to sight-sing in a range of approachable musical styles Simple improvisation exercises in which students can explore ideas and develop their sense of rhythm and key Songs and rounds to sing with others for additional sight-singing practice or to learn quickly and sing for fun Alan Bullard is a composer and ABRSM examiner. He studied at the Royal College of Music and the University of Nottingham and taught in further and higher education for many years. He has written many songs and choral works and his music is widely performed and appears on a number of recordings.

Alan Bullard’s bestselling Joining The Dots series now includes this book for Grade 5 that helps to develop sight-reading skills for singers. By working through a vast number of creative exercises and pieces students can prepare for those all-important ABRSM Singing Grade 5 exams. The books can also be used to build confidence in musicianship classes as a resource for choirs or audition preparation. Joining The Dots Singing covers the requirements for ABRSM’s sight-singing tests at Grade 5 and includes: Workouts along with simple songs to buildthe required rhythm and pitch skills for that specific grade Characterful pieces to sight-sing in a range of approachable musical styles Simple improvisation exercises in which students can explore ideas and develop their sense of rhythm and key Songs and rounds to sing with others for additional sight-singing practice or to learn quickly and sing for fun Alan Bullard is a composer and ABRSM examiner. He studied at the Royal College of Music and the University of Nottingham and taught in further and higher education for many years. He has written many songs and choral works and his music is widely performed and appears on a number of recordings.

Alan Bullard's Star Of The East for SATB and Organ (or Piano).  This attractive setting of Reginald Heber's 1811 hymn for Epiphany was originally published as part of The New Oxford Easy Anthem Book. Bullard brilliantly captures the mood of the text through varied choral textures expressive harmony and an evocative organ (or Piano) accompaniment.

A meditation based on the traditional Seven Last Words of Christ-Wondrous Cross is a reflective work suitable for church or concert choirs at Passiontide. Bullard skilfully weaves the traditional Seven Last Words of Christ with linking biblical passages 3 well-known hymns and settings of 4 well-known sacred texts including 'Drop drop slow tears' and 'Ave verum corpus' (both of which may be sung as independent motets) to create a moving and at times dramatic work. The short solos are perfectly suited to members of the choir and strings (quartet quintet orensemble) may optionally join the organ or piano in the accompaniment. If performed liturgically the work may be interspersed with prayers and readings. The result is a flexible and striking work that re-presents this timeless story for a modern audience. String parts and full scores are available to hire or purchase from the Music Hire Library.

This anthology of ten mixed-voice anthems by Alan Bullard 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. Including the joyful Cantate Gloria and the beautiful From the break of the day Alan Bullard Anthems contains an attractive selection of works suitable for a variety of liturgical seasons and will appeal to all mixed-voice choirs.

Setting a popular text paraphrased from the Song of Solomon Rise up my love is an uplifting anthem ideal for Easter services although the text's beautiful springtime imagery would also make a lovely feature in any concert programme.The work contains expressive word painting with moments of intensity alongside phrases of utter stillness. There are opportunities for soloists and the flexible scoring allows choirs to decide whether to perform the piece unaccompanied with organ or with piano.This anthem will be included on a forthcoming CD by Selwyn College Cambridge (Regent Records).

Alan Bullard's Creator Of The Stars Of Night for solo Soprano and SATB choir with optional Organ accompaniment.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).

Ben Okri's poem is a hopeful vision of understanding and co-operation between the peoples of the Earth. It is matched by Bullard's imaginative dynamic and skilful choral writing. The result is inspiring. Arranged for SS Choir and Piano Accompaniment.

Ideo Ideo is a Christmas carol by Alan Bullard arranged for mixed voice choir SATB with Organ or Piano accompaniment. The text originates from Piae Cantiones of 1582 adapted for this piece by Jane M. Joseph. A lively and spirited rhythmic carol suitable for more confident voices.

For SA (with divisions) and pianoSetting a love poem by W. B. Yeats Tread Softly is a charming addition to the upper-voice repertory. Gradually opening out from unison this piece features melodic vocal lines colourful harmonies and luscious modulations and the rhythmic contrasts in the choir are complemented by a gently flowing piano part. Suitable for use in a variety of concert programmes and at weddings.

Ave Verum Corpus by Alan Bullard is a gentle and highly attractive setting of the medieval Latin hymn suitable for church choirs at any communion service or for Lent Passiontide or Corpus Christi. With a delicate expressive melody rich harmony and a flowing accompaniment it offers an appealing alternative to more familiar settings. It is part of the composer's Passiontide work Wondrous Cross.

'Dance of the Universe' is a colourful 50-minute cantata for tenor soloist choir and small orchestra. It uses part of the poem 'Orchestra or a poem of dancing' by the 16th - century poet Sir John Davies: here the earth the sun and the stars are shown to move in an ordered dance-like motion giving the opportunity for much exciting and direct musical imagery.It is very suitable for choral societies looking for a contemporary but accessible piece which shares the same orchestral scoring as many choral works of the classical period.

3 Songs For Mixed Choir-Choristers of Flight for mixed choir comprises three colourful settings of nineteenth-century poetry focussing on different aspects of bird-song and flight. They have been performed by a number of choirs and a recording by the Elysian Singers of London director Sam Laughton is to be found on the 2010 promotional CD of Alan Bullard's music Cantate Gloria.