STAINER AND BELL MUSIC FOR MIXED CONSORT

SKU: ST.MB40

ISBN 9790220211706.

15 pieces from the Walsingham Consort Book of 1588 and 19 pieces from Matthew Holmes's Consort Books, c.1575 represent music for mixed consort, a colourful and eclectic genre that played an important role in Elizabethan and Jacobean secular music-making.

SKU: ST.B854

ISBN 9780852498545.

Though little known in her lifetime (1776-1805), Ann Griffiths is now widely regarded as being among the leading hymnwriters in Wales. She is a major figure whose word speaks strongly to a contemporary audience at a time of growing sensitivity to Christian spirituality in its many and varied forms, and to the often unacknowledged role of women in the life and history of the church. As a crystallising of the gifts of many people, this treasure of a book would be hard to rival. (Christoper Idle, News of Hymnody).

SKU: ST.B954

ISBN 9780852499542.

The outcome of a fruitful collaboration of theologians, writers and musicians working at the retreat and therapeutic centre of Holy Rood House in Yorkshire, this new collection articulates the needs of a contemporary ministry of healing through the agency of hymns, the church's most resonant and expressive form of worship.

Acknowledging the impact of medical science in vastly expanding the range of the possible in every aspect of our living and dying, eighty-three texts tackle a rich diversity of themes: infant death, illness and suffering, ageing and dementia, the genome, mortality and bereavement, grief and lament, pain and despair - including pain and despair from the failure of healing - but also wisdom and resilience, healing as part of a spiritual holism of mind and body, and as a metaphor for social and political justice and care for the environment. The wealth of music includes new tunes and familiar ones, and the anthology concludes with a section of twelve short or repetitive texts to be used in conjunction with prayer.

Hymns of Hope and Healing is the product of many voices, from those of widely experienced authors to others taking their promising early steps in the form. It will provide a vehicle for worship and reflection for those involved in chaplaincy, in therapies and counselling, and all in the wider church with an interest in this ancient ministry. Witnessed through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, it is refreshed and re-imagined here for a time both of breathtaking scientific advance, and of an urgent need to affirm our wholeness and faith while embracing the momentous challenges to our traditional understanding of health and healing.

SKU: ST.B949

ISBN 9780852499498.

I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce this new collection. The one-word title, Onward! is a call anyone can respond to, at any age. To quote Scottish singer Sir Harry Lauder, we can all 'keep right on to the end of the road'.

Most of the hymns were written between 2012 and 2015, some of which are hymn-style versions of biblical psalms or significant portions of a psalm, or in response to a verse of scripture. Some older texts have also been included, paired here for the first time with recently crafted tunes.

This collection also includes a previously unpublished song I co-wrote with my wife, Susan Heafield, a United Methodist pastor and musician. Praise Partners, our joint musical venture, has released two collections: We Can Be Messengers (Ref PP001) and Tell the Good News! (Ref PP003), both distributed by Stainer & Bell.

Brian Wren

SKU: ST.B874

ISBN 9780852498743.

The 135 hymns and songs in Whatever Name or Creed are texts for today, reflections by Andrew Pratt on a variety of contemporary topics, illuminated in the searchlight of his insistent and uncompromising questioning.

A major theme, regarded from the author's own Christian viewpoint, is the relationship between faiths, especially as witnessed in their heritage of shared insights.

The introduction is by Geoffrey Duncan. New musical settings by composers including Peter Cutts, Hal H. Hopson, John R. Kleinheksel Sr and Ian Sharp complement many of the texts, while others are indexed with tunes suggested from a number of standard British and American hymnals.

SKU: ST.B870

ISBN 9780852498705.

The 36 hymns in this new anthology cover a variety of subjects, including familiar themes such as Christmas and Easter, as well as the role of women, illness and healing, wartime remembrance, and prostitution. They are illuminated by the author's preface and commentaries to each of the hymns, offering fascinating insights into hymn writing and the creative process, and issues of language and content in relation to the concerns of contemporary Christians. Ian Sharp has composed new musical settings for many of the texts.

SKU: ST.B934

ISBN 9780852499344.

This , the ninth of a series of books begun in 1983, contains Brian Wren's 36 most recent hymns (2009 to 2012). It is nicely presented and laid out in a user-friendly way. The hymns are divided into five thematic sections: Jesus from Cradle to Cross; Easter Hymns; Church and Mission; Praise; and Metrical Psalms. This last section, rooted in (though not bound by) the Old Testament, is often influenced by Isaac Watts and will be of more use to some than others; it concludes with a tremendous rendering of Psalm 8; a paean of praise which all will love, set to a stirring tune.

Each section is prefaced with a single page introduction listing the contents and, in some instances, giving an interesting insight into Brian Wren's theology and thinking which provides food for contemplation. Each hymn is printed in words format with all the necessary information for inclusion in an order of worship. Every hymn is also printed with full score music for accompaniment interlined with the words. The book is slightly larger than A5, and there are various useful indexes.

The tunes range from ancient to modern, some very familiar, including Candler (better known as Ye Banks and Braes). A number are of a metre where alternative tunes are available. Those tunes which are new vary in ease of use; some will be readily picked up, others would prove challenging for occasional use in a small congregation but could be used as music group items.

These are hymns which need to be read as a whole and require thought. The words are chosen with care and notable as much for those not used as those included e.g.: 'Christ, untameably alive,/ breathe your life upon us - / Compass, Governor and Guide, / with us and beyond us,/ Sky and Sunlight, / spreading Vine./ Spring of Living Water,/ Truth and Wisdom, Way and Word,/ here, and then hereafter.' These hymns will be useful in worship as either sung or read pieces, and will also prove an invaluable resource for private devotion.

Robert Canham, Reform

SKU: ST.W216

ISBN 9790220221514.

Jere my Jackman has brought his wealth of experience as a choral conductor to create a new set of practical and highly attractive short Wedding Responses for upper voices. The texts are from the traditional rite of the Book of Common Prayer, much favoured for its qualities of solemnity and occasion. Reminiscent of the ceremonial styles of Bliss and Walton, the music of each brief response is both contemporary and accessible in style, yet is easy to perform and well within the ability range of a typical church choir, whether using trebles or mixed voices.

SKU: ST.B840

ISBN 9780852498408.

This is the first collection of the work by an author whose tough, realistic view of our world today is tempered by his search for poetry and spiritual truth. Several of the texts have already found their way into anthologies and collections, including Pratt's controversial contributions to the under 7s songbook, Big Blue Planet. Topics selected at random from the book's Index of Themes includes AIDS/HIV, computer disks, deception, genocide, nurture and perfection.

SKU: ST.B890

ISBN 9780852498903.

Stai ner & Bell are pleased to announce the publication of A Rainbow to Heaven, which brings together in one volume many of the musical settings and texts which are the fruit of June Boyce-Tillman's commitment to the empowerment of women.

Her role as composer, performer, writer, teacher and theologian is faithfully reflected in 167 items, which draw on a diversity of traditional and modern sources to create a unique and inspiring collection.

There is material here that relates to the themes of dance, healing, ecology, the medieval abbess Hildegard of Bingen, women saints, the Wisdom tradition, peace and justice, ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue, inclusive language and many other topics of contemporary interest.

A fascinating introduction places the hymns, songs and chants in the context of June's evolving thought about the nature of music, worship, spirituality and the role of women.