A Gaelic Blessing is a simple and catchy piece by Craig McLeish. This piece will be particularly useful for school, junior and community choirs, and a tuneful introduction to singing simple contrapuntal lines. The second soprano part repeats the tune at bar 33 and should dominate here - the first sopranos and altos should support appropriately. Ease and beauty of tone should be of paramount importance throughout. An inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers, the Novello New Choral Series offers pieces for all types of choirs, including sacred and secular works from simple, four-part settings to more expansive, yet accessible, repertoire in an exciting variety of styles. Craig McLeish began his musical life as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral under Barry Rose. He began composing at the age of ten and his preces and responses for four trebles are still in the repertoire. After a degree at York University he returned to London to study at the Guildhall and sang again at St Paul's as a tenor. At the time he also arranged and copied music for West End shows such as Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, and played bass guitar for various groups. This led to a spell in the cult pop band 'Fat and Frantic', who shaved the top 100 twice with the whimsical anthem Last night my wife hoovered my head. He also worked as musical assistant for David Heneker (Half a Sixpence) and David Fanshawe (African Sanctus). In 1992 Craig became director of the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs Orchestra and Singers, performing concerts throughout the UK and becoming involved in a number of recordings and BBC broadcasts. During this time he arranged more than 250 orchestral scores ranging from Queen to Calamity Jane, Stravinsky and Stevie Wonder. Alongside this he began arranging and writing songs for children's collections (Big Blue Planet, Love Shone Down) and producing recordings and string arrangements for various artists (Sheila Walsh, Kim Hill, Matt Redman). He is also well known as a conductor and arranger for Songs of Praise. Recently Craig has collaborated with composer Tolga Kashif writing orchestrations for the RPO's Seo Taiji Symphony, the Classic FM chart-topping CD by saxophonist Tyler Rix, and the Genesis Suite which was premiered at the Barbican. He has been musical director of Young Voices UK for 13 years, bringing large school choirs together to play with a live band and solo artists, and currently conducts the Milton Keynes Community Choir, Hart and Soul Community Choir and the Milton Keynes Youth Choir. / Choeur SSA

From the sandy white beaches where blue water rolls Snow covered mountains and valleys below Let it be Christmas everywhere Let heavenly music fill the air A sentimental wish for the spirit of Christmas this number one hit by Alan Jackson will be appreciated by both young and old.

Somewhere Out There is a song written by James Horner Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It appears in the 1986 animated feature An American Tail produced by Steven Spielberg where it was sung beautifully by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram.  The single went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in March of 1987. It won two Grammy Awards in 1988 for Song of the Year and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television. It also earned an Academy Award nomination in 1987 for Best Original Song.  Spielberg's tale is about a group of mice who after immigrating toNew York from Russia become separated and Fievel has to find his way back to his family. This inspirational song depicts the same sentiment of loss and optimism that the animated film shows and the popularity of the song is evident from the number of cover versions there are available most notably by Liza Minnelli at Carnegie Hall. The SAB arrangement of this brilliant tune will create a highly effective and emotional rendition that will pleasantly surprise your audience with a new and unique take on a familiar and famous film song.

Hawley Ades' arrangement of Sy Miller and Jill Jackson's Let There Be Peace On Earth for SAB choir with Piano accompaniment.

I'll be here tomorrow alive and well and thriving. Jerry Herman's heart-warming lyrics ring true today with a message of hope and opportunity especially in these uncertain times. Performed with a live combo or the ShowTrax CD this will be an uplifting number on your next concert. Available: SATB SAB SSA IPak(C) ShowTrax CD. Approx. Time: 3:00.

This song captures all the memories and hopes of the Beatles' generation and still resonates with singers and audiences today. This setting has all the appeal of the original recorded version and will be irresistible in concert!

from Ghost the Musical-Adapted from the 1990 movie starring Patrick Swayze Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg Ghost the Musical opened on London's West End in 2011 before transferring to Broadway in 2012. Performed in the musical by the cast and the psychic Oda Mae Brown this is a full-out rock & roll production number that will be an awesome selection for pop and show choirs!

Five delightful and accessible folksongs with French lyrics are to be sung together as a set any choir would enjoy singing these! SSA A Cappella.1. Ti zuazo (Little Bird): A little bird on her way to Mrs. Lalo’s house warns the children not to go there because Mrs. Lalo may try to eat them. However the song is quite playful because the nightingale eats only fruit.2. Muen soti nan vil Leogan’ (I Come from the Town of Leogane): Thisslow soft song tells how the singer hears that his mama is sick. He is sad that he cannot be at her bedside.3. Feill’ oh (Leaves Oh!): The singer hopes that a good healer will be able to save a sick little boy. The wordsare repeated rhythmically as part of the healing charm.4. Dodo Titit (Sleep Little Child): The child must fall asleep before a crab comes. The second verse tells that the child’s parents are away at the river.5.Frere Jacques Kilik Kilik: Brother John are you sleeping? The little bells are ringing. Kilik kilik give me a piece of banana; give me a piece of sweet potato.

These arrangements of favourite songs from Cats are perfect for the young or developing choir. The pieces are selected with a view to creating coherent concert programmes and have simple Piano accompaniments. These arrangements by Nicholas Hare are relatively straightforward and great fun to sing. They will soon become favourites with both choir and audience alike.

A new Christmas carol composed by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman with text by children's author Michael Morpurgo We Were There is arranged for SSA Chorus and Piano. The work was commissioned by Liverpool Philharmonic for their 175th anniversary and first performed by the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth on the 18th of December 2014. Portman's work gained a rapturous reception with critics and audiences praising its pretty melodies and the text by the master of fiction Michael Morpurgo. This Christmas carol makes a fantastically fresh antidote to the tired old favourites and it will definitelybe a hit with audiences who will love the new sound and the divine melodies. It'll certainly be a hit at any Christmas concert. In the September 2015 issue of Organists' Review David Lindley wrote that We Were There 'would make an agreeable piece for a school carol service and should be well within the abilities of a reasonably competent group.' An equally good review from the September 2015 issue of Sunday by Sunday from the Royal School of Church Music states that 'choirs will enjoy this attractive and effective piece.'

from Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa-From the popular animated sequel Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa this song performed by will.i.am will be a cheerful buddy song that younger choirs will love to sing! Need a shoulder to cry on need a friend to rely on ... I'm there for ya! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed 2-Part ShowTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:25.

Your singers will develop important expressive skills in this setting of two traditional spirituals Walk Together Children and There_x001A_s Going To Be a Meeting Here Tonight that combine in an uplifting celebration of emotion and joy. Your singers will be instructed in the history of these songs and how they impacted the struggle for freedom. Perform with piano or the optional instrumental ensemble.

You'll say it's alright with this cheerful setting of the George Harrison classic! A delightful showcase for young performers this well-crafted setting will be a highlight of many concert programs. Discovery Level 2 Availableseparately: 3-Part Mixed 2-Part VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:30.

It was the music that shook the world and launched generations of young fans. Now young choirs can celebrate the history of Rock 'n' Roll in a 30-minute show that explores the music of the 50's 60's 70's 80's and 90's and 2000+. Using dialog ripped from the headlines of the day John Jacobson's choreography and a breezy light style this will be a show that's a snap to learn and fun to perform. Perform it in sections or as a complete show it's sure to be a hit with your audiences! 1950's: Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay Tutti Fruiti The Twist Yakety Yak. 1960's: Surfin' U.S.A. Where Did Our Love Go? People Got To Be Free Yesterday Up Up And Away. 1970's: Let It Be RaindropsKeep Falling On My Head Roll on Down The Highway You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'. 1980's: We Got The Beat Ride like The Wind Don't Worry Be Happy We Didn't Start The Fire. 1990's: Rhythm Nation Make It Happen From A Distance .2000+: Jump Jive and Wail.