A Child, A King - SATB with Performance CD

These two carols by Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe are in celebration of Christmas. The Birthday of thy King was written in 1988 for the choir of King's College Cambridge. Here it has been paired with the serene and lilting Morning Song for the Christ Child for the first time.

Two SATB arrangements of Pieds En L'Air from Warlock's Capriol the first being a slumersome lullaby and the second an optimistic springtime song.Tomlinson's first arrangement Hush My Child was intended to take advantage of Warlock's sumptuous harmonies in the original string orchestra version of Pieds En L'Air but with voices. This setting was then shown to John Bishop who responded by creating the text Welcome The Spring to provide a more optimistic and forward-looking interpretation of the same piece.Both versions are featured in this edition leaving the choice to the singers and choral leaders themselves!

Noël! 3 is an exciting collection of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany music for mixed-voice choirs, from the easy to learn to the more challenging and unconventional. The contents range from the Baroque to the present: familiar settings of traditional and lesser-known carols through the ages to Howells, Berkeley and Warlock, and works by today's composers including Richard Rodney Bennett, Paul Mealor, John Tavener, Francis Pott and Richard Allain. Mixed-voice choirs of all levels will enjoy these new arrangements of favourite carols as well as stimulating original works for the Christmas season. / Choeur SATB Et Orgue (Ou Piano)

Brendan Lord the Executive Director of the Alberta Choral Federation has offered us a beautiful and thought-provoking Christmas piece. Opening in a chant-like manner the text asks us to imagine holding the child of God withinlike Mary. Eventually as the music takes shape we learn that God is within and we can celebrate that gift and the gift of the child as well.

14th century carol-Originally arranged for New York Polyphony this ancient carol tells the story of Christmas - from the shepherds to the kings to our own rejoicing for the Christ child. Uncomplicated in its construction with utmost care given to each iteration of the melody.

Uses: ChristmasScripture: Luke 2:12-15; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6Written in a gentle calypso style this Christmas gem is shining with the message of Christ's birth. Crafted for immediate success yourchoir will enjoy both the harmonic fullness of the chorus and the skillful call and response style of the verses. As natural as folksong this song will be a sure winner with your people. Flute part included. Available separately:SATB LiteTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:38.

Incorporating Jesus Loves Me-If you're looking for an anthem which incorporates a children's or youth choir you're in for a treat. As a Little Child uses that universally loved hymn “Jesus Loves Me ” which can be sung easily by children ladies or a few voices of any combination. The text is based on the scriptures telling us that we must become as little children to share in the kingdom of God. A delicate piano accompaniment contributes to a feeling of innocencethat culminates with the addition of “Jesus Loves Me.” Generous use of two-part writing with full four-part phrases for contrast and emphasis combine for an anthem that's highly effective and suitable for any sizechoir. Refreshing.

The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols is perfect resource for choirs of all types and sizes. Each piece is presented with flexible scoring options clearly explained throughout enabling performance by various combinations of singers. With carols for Advent Christmas New Year and Epiphany and a fabulous range accessible quality material this is a must-have collection for all choirs at Christmas.

Ode à la Musique (1961)for Baritone 4-part mixed chorus trumpet two horns three trombones piano and double bass Frank Martin (1890-1974) Frank Martin was born in Geneva Switzerland on 15 September 1890. He was the tenth and youngest child of a clergyman’s family. He played and improvised on the piano even before he went to school. By the age of nine he had composed charming children’s songs that were perfectly balanced without ever having been taught musical forms or harmony. A performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion heard at the age of twelve left a lasting impression on the composer for whom J.S. Bachremained the true master. He attended classical languages high school and to please his parents went on to study mathematics and physics at the University of Geneva for two years. Simultaneously he started studying piano and composition with Joseph Lauber who initiated him in the “craft” especially in instrumentation. Between 1918 and 1926 Frank Martin lived in Zurich Rome and Paris working on his own searching for a personal musical language. In 1926 he founded the “Société de Musique de Chambre de Genève” which he led as pianist and harpsichord player for ten years. He taught improvisation and theory of rhythm at the “Institut Jacques-Dalcroze” and chamber music at the Geneva Conservatory of Music. He was artistic director of the “Technicum Moderne de Musique” from 1933 to 1940 and president of the Swiss Association of Musicians between 1942 and 1946. In 1932 he became interested in the 12-tone technique of Arnold Schönberg. He incorporated certain elements into his own musical language creating a synthesis of the chromatic and twelve-tone techniques without however abandoning the sense of tone – that is the hierarchical relations between notes. Le Vin Herbé (1941) was the first important work in which he completely mastered this very personal idiom. Together with the Petite Symphonie Concertante (1944-45) it established his international reputation. Martin’s many musical activities in Switzerland interfered with the peace and

An abundantly versatile composer Peter Foggitt in A Christmas Lullaby tunes in to the spirit of minimalism that has inspired so much remarkable music since Tavener Górecki and Pärt discovered a new gift to be simple in their ground-breaking works of the 1970s and 1980s. To the nativity scene painted in words by John Addington Symonds the unchanging-changing chords of the limpid accompaniment for Organ or Piano bring an aura of rapt intensity and communion. With the clarity of an icon this is a cradle song for an infant king who is also the Prince of Peace and a child in a manger and a study inexpressive and disciplined singing for SATB chorus.

Brian Chapple's What Child Is This? for SATB choir with optional Piano accompaniment.Inspired by the simple directness of William Chatterton Dix's vivid pictorial text the composer explores the breadth of the choral canvas in this expressive and artful carol. The piece has a straightforward verse-chorus structure with gentle development of the verse material and an effective motif to close each verse making it accessible to and rewarding for choirs of all abilities. Also available in a version for upper voices.

Uses: Christmas Christmas Eve Scripture: Genesis 15:2 Psalm 18:10 I Corinthians 6:19-20 Philippians 4:19 Written in the composer's characteristic expressive ballad style this sacred cradle song is a precious portrait of the newborn Savior. Juxtaposing the manger scene with the holy child's future ministry among us permeates the song with meaning and a deep sense of awe. The chorus is a moment of worship that will bring power to the singing making this music more than a performance. Inspiring poetry plus thoughtful music equals a truly memorable devotional anthem. Score and Parts (vn 1-2 va vc db) available as a digital download.

This heartfelt manger ballad opens with a plaintive child's solo posing a simple, thought-provoking question. The lush harmonies are supported by a rich accompaniment. The optional violin obbligato enhances the tender message. / Choeur Mixte (SATB)

This SATB lullaby is quite accessible and contains a light happy rhythm with a solo that tells the Christmas story. The soloist can be either male or female or can be done by the tenor section.

Inspired by the vibrant a cappella sounds of the vocal group Pentatonix this accessible setting of the mash-up by Swedish House Mafia is accompanied with keyboard and rhythm section making this a fantastic showcase for high school pop and show choirs.