Meditation on 'Quem Pastores Laudavere'-Carol of the Shepherds is based on the hymn tune 'Quem Pastores Laudavere' which dates back to the 14th century and is widely known throughout the Christian world. Although the melody has been set to a number of different texts in different countries it was originally a carol celebrating the Christmas story in particular the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the shepherds.

The Ukrainian Bell Carol is part of a large choral work entitled Shchedryk by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych (1877-1921).The tune is an adaptation of an old 'shchedrivka' a song traditionally sung on Ukrainian New Year's Eve (January 13th) which hopes for good fortune in the year to come. The tune has since been the inspiration for at least four different Christmas carols of which Carol of the Bells is the most famous. Philip Sparke has sourced the original Ukrainian melody to create this stirring arrangement.

Nigel Hess’ vivacious and colourful A Christmas Overture originally commissioned as an orchestral work by John Rutter for his 2007 Christmas Festival proved an instant success with audience and orchestra alike. Traditional carols skilfully juxtaposed and interwoven provide the thematic material. These include: Ding Dong! Merrily On High; Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant; Infant Holy Infant Lowly; Personent Hodie; We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Angels From The Realms Of Glory which brings the overture to a majestic close. Fragments of other carols appear along the way to enrich the texture of what is surely one of the mostattractive pieces written for the festive season. Brass Band Grade 4/5. Duration: 7 minutes 30 seconds

London Brass Band Series-Leslie Pearson's Christmas Is Coming scored for 3 Trumpets 3 Trombones Tuba 2 Percussion Organ and Keyboard. 'When I set out to arrange traditional Christmas carols I was determined that they should not be yet another run-of-the-mill strophic verse-by-verse version of our Christmas heritage. I have tried to treat each carol in the collection as the basis for a Petite Fantasie - a continuous single-movement of variations on the original tune. Of course the carol is heard in its traditional form at some point during the arrangement but hopefully its appeal is enhanced without destroying the traditional concept. Inparticular White Christmas Silent Night and the middle sections of Hark the Herald and Christmas is Coming have the soft 'lush' treatment. Christmas is Coming has a humorous opening and a 'Noblimente' end. The collection is in all a delightful mixture of musical styles through the ages.' Leslie Pearson

Another wonderful arrangement for brass quintet by Peter Knudsvig. This festive medley consist of several German Christmas Carols such as Lasst uns froh und munter sein Es wird schon gleich dunkel and Morgen Kinder wird´s was geben. The last partwas inspired by the famous Hallelujah from Handels MESSIAS.

10 famous Christmas songs in different styles. Including: 1. Intrada - Bohemian traditional 2. Quem Pastores Laudavere 3. Once in Royal David's City 4. Song - French traditional 5. Er is een Kindeke geboren op aard' - Dutch traditional 6. Coventry Carol 7. Deck the Halls 8. O Kindeke klein 9. Good King Wenceslas 10. Traditional from Poland

This traditional Christmas Carol Once In Royal David's City has been here arranged for Brass Ensemble and contains the following parts 3 Trumpets 3 Trombones Bass Clef Tuba Percussion and Timpani.

Christmas as celebrated in England is a relatively new tradition dating from the time of Queen Victoria. Her husband Prince Albert was from Germany and he brought many German Christmas traditions with him including the Christmas tree and Christmas cards and even carols such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Philip Sparke has however used a varied selection of English melodies to arrange into his Festival of Carols. The choir parts are seperately available (order no. AMP 227-050).