Par PARRY BEN. This Spiritual Medley comprises three songs that speak of a journey through trial to eventual salvation and liberty. It should gradually gather pace and energy from a slightly more reflective start, though retaining a lively feel throughout. All My Trials developed into a popular protest song in the 1950s and 60s and has been recorded by, amongst others, Joan Baez, Paul McCartney and Elvis Presley. By and By is a more upbeat song with plenty of syncopated rhythms and more forthright dynamics – it should be sung and played with lots of energy. The medley ends with I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, a true ‘pilgrim journey’ full of trials and breaking hearts, but never giving up on hope and final deliverance. The tempo should really pick up for this final section, galvanised by the walking bass line and more jazzy harmonies, and reaching its climax in the final few measures. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). When Cecil Sharp transcribed O Waly Waly in 1908, it bore this title but did not contain the title words (beginning instead with ‘Down in the meadows’). It has been suggested since that the version we know now may be a composite of three songs: the Scottish ‘Waly waly’ (meaning ‘a cry of woe or grief’), the Cecil Sharp transcript and an American song, The water is wide, which begins the first verse of our version. This sad song is sometimes set in 3/4 time, but in this arrangement L'Estrange has chosen to give it a gently rocking 4/4 feel, slightly reminiscent of the version by the singer James Taylor. This beautiful folk tune also features in L’Estrange’s hit cantata Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose under the tile The water is wide. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The Skye Boat Song is perhaps one of the best-known Scottish melodies of all. It refers to the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie who, still only a boy, was smuggled out of Scotland to France after the Scots’ defeat by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1745. Despite there being a huge reward on his head, not one of his faithful Highlanders would betray him to the ‘auld enemy’: a girl named Flora MacDonald disguised him in her maid’s clothes and helped to row him ‘over the sea to Skye’. The words by Sir Harold Boulton date from the nineteenth century. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Simple Gifts has been sung to numerous different lyrics (particularly Sydney Carter’s 1960s hymn Lord of the dance) and the tune is very well known, thanks to its use in Aaron Copland’s score for the ballet Appalachian Spring, first performed in 1944. Elder Joseph Brackett – a shaker from Maine – originally wrote it as a ‘dancing song’ in 1848. This arrangement by Alexander L’Estrange is appropriately simple and beautifully effective. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Low-down on the Hoe-down is a rollicking romp through a selection of light-hearted line-dance tunes. It’s a tribute to Ward Swingle, founder and arranger of the legendary vocal group The Swingle Singers, whose idea it was to make a show-stopping concert-piece out of a number of barn-storming American square-dance songs, using a song called The Arkansas Traveler to bind them all together. Focus on incredibly clear diction, with a smile on your face, and the audience will enjoy it as much as you! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The Lark In The Clear Air is an exquisite Irish folksong celebrating the beauty of nature. Unusually for a folksong lyric, it also presents a positive outlook on love! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Auld Lang Syne (meaning ‘old long since’) recalls days gone by, promising always to remember them with friends. A popular New Year’s Eve song in many parts of the world and a perfect encore piece for any New Year or celebratory concerts. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). (Is this the way to) Amarillo? is about a man travelling to find his fiancée in Amarillo, Texas. After the second verse and chorus there’s a chance to go a cappella: the piano can leave out the small notes and give the singers a chance to show off what they can do! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Love’s Philosophy, a beautiful setting by Alexander L’Estrange, explores the marvellous comparison of couplings in nature – the mountains and the river, the moonbeams kissing the sea – and amongst humans. The music is inspired by composers Gerald Finzi and Roger Quilter, two of the most prominent figures in English song in the first half of the twentieth century, and the poem is by Shelley. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano