Here are three refreshing new modernarrangements of three popular traditional carols ?like you ain?t never heardthem before?. Intended for the intermediate alto sax player(s) and a reasonably competentpianist, they are sure to brighten up your Christmas events whether at home,school, church or recital hall. They could be used during a Christmas serviceor as stand-alone pieces at an end-of-term presentation. The audio sampleincludes recordings of all three pieces.

The King Rides Out(based on ?Good King Wenceslas?) starts conventionally enough but turns into acountry-style song and then there?s a three-part Bach-like contrapuntal section,concluding with a wistful coda before the music returns to the joyful countrystyle. Waltz with Holly ? or Possibly Ivy (based of course on ?The Hollyand the Ivy?) turns into a dreamy waltz with long extended phrases and a goodvehicle to show the saxophone player?s tone quality. The Merry Gentleman goLatin is a lively rumba version of ?God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen?.

ColinKirkpatrick studied composition, cello and piano at London?s prestigious RoyalCollege of Music and after graduation followed a career in music education. Hewas a High School Music Director in London for about fifteen years and laterbecame a Music Education Adviser for local government, with the addedresponsibility for training teachers and directing the instrumental teaching service.

Hehas been published by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, Paxton, Schott, OxfordUniversity Press, Chester, Belwin Mills and Intrada (Netherlands). He holds MAand PhD degrees in education and his other interests include reading,photography, travel, cooking and wine tasting - though not necessarily all atthe same time.

This beautiful song is one of the most popular American folk songs, evoking images of the river life of yesteryear. It is sure to be a popular addition to your saxophone recital, or it would make an excellent encore piece. The top note is D (written) above the treble staff and the duration is 03:55.

As with most folk songs, there are many different versions of Shenandoah, and it?s impossible to determine the song?s exact provenance with any degree of certainty. It probably has its origins among the French Canadians who traded with Native Americans around the Great Lakes during the sixteenth century. In most versions of the song, the lyrics tell of a seafarer, possibly a canoeing fur-trader, who was in love with the daughter of Shenandoah, a Native American Chief who lived in what is now the state of Virginia. Shenandoah was a real person: an individual of commanding presence who lived for over a hundred years.

Sailors heading down the Mississippi picked up the song and made it a capstan shanty, which they sang while hauling in the anchor. By the mid-1800s versions of the song were heard almost everywhere the clipper ships ventured. Shenandoah was one of the most popular capstan shanties, a slow song which set a manageable pace for the crew in a heavy and lengthy task. Add this lovely American song to your repertoire today!