A jolly Christmas carol-This lively carol was commissioned in 2005 by Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir (now called the Cathedral Chorus) to celebrate the birth of Hannah Scriven and Holly Mason the daughters of the two cathedral organists at that time. The words were specially written by Tony Barnard the then Canon Chancellor at Lichfield and a member of the choir. This carol whilst not entirely foreign to my normal style touches more ‘country and western’/popular buttons than I am in the habit of touching. But I wanted to write a tuneful piece which swayed and danced and reflected the colourful imagery of Tony Barnard’s text. Recommended recording: Comeout Lazar – The shorter choral works of Paul Spicer (Regent REGCD280) by The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College Cambridge and Claire Innes-Hopkins (organ) directed by Sarah MacDonald. Text: This child of God who’s born on Christmas day whom shepherds view to whom kings homage pay is called to be a shepherd and a king. Sing alleluias praise this wondrous thing. This child of God is shepherd born to lead through pastures green by banks of golden reed; nor left nor right but ever on the way which leads to Calvary and endless day. This child of God this Son of David’s line is root of tree a shoot a fruitful vine it shelter gives to all who see the way which leads them to the cross and Easter day. This child of God this many spangled star is light’ning flash which dazzles near and far; bright light to guide our feet along the way that leads to Calvary and endless day. This child of God is called to save mankind to open eye and ear the heart and mind; to heal and make the lame man leap and play along the road that leads to Easter Day. This child of God let angel voices praise. Give God the glory live his loving ways. Let peace on earth o’er come our worldly strife through all who walk his road throughout their life. Tony Barnard

A Welsh Prayer is a setting of a poem by Grahame Davis for SATB Choir and two Harps composed by Paul Mealor. A Welsh Prayer was commissioned by Holywell Music and the North Wales International Music Festival as a gift to celebrate the 65th birthday of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.The piece was premiered by the Aberdeen University Chamber Choir with harpists Hannah Stone and Catrin Finch conducted by the composer on 22 September 2013 at St Asaph’s Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.Vocal Score available: NOV294329 and Parts: NOV294250

A Welsh Prayer is a setting of a poem by Grahame Davis for SATB Choir and two Harps composed by Paul Mealor.  A Welsh Prayer was commissioned by Holywell Music and the North Wales International Music Festival as a gift to celebrate the 65th birthday of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.The piece was premiered by the Aberdeen University Chamber Choir with harpists Hannah Stone and Catrin Finch conducted by the composer on 22 September 2013 at St Asaph’s Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.Full Score available:  NOV294228 and Parts:  NOV294250

This 1927 English sacred song has had world-wide popularity for good reason. The sentiment is direct and the melody is strong. The composer May Hannah Brahe was also known as May H Morgan. It was originally published under the title Bless the House.

The Gibbons Hymnal contains the 17 hymn tunes composed by Orlando Gibbons for George Wither's The Hymnes and Songs of the Church (1623), many of which are still popular today. This is the first modern edition which incorporates Wither's hymn texts beyond the first verses. Gibbons composed treble and bass lines for the hymns - editor David Skinner has constructed the inner voices to create a collection of pieces that can be performed either as hymns or as simple anthems. Also in this volume are Gibbons's ten surviving full anthems, including popular works such as Almighty And Everlasting God and his masterpiece, O Clap Your Hands , alongside lesser-known compositions such as the beautiful miniature, O Lord, I Lift My Heart To Thee , and, presented here in a new reconstruction, I Am The Resurrection And The Life . / Choeur Mixte (SATB)