Novello New Choral Series-Why O Lord do you stand far off? was written in memory of the victims of the London bombings on 7 July 2005 questions the presence of God in times of human disaster particularly when committed by man upon his fellow man. The piece's focus lies in the two rhetorical questions first sung by the female voices at the beginning. This opening three note motif returns frequently throughout the work forever challenging the whereabouts of God's watchful eye. This commemorative setting of Psalm 10 was recorded by the Exeter College Chapel Choir in 2006.The Novello New Choral Series is an inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporarycomposers offering pieces for all types of choirs including sacred and secular works from simple four-part settings to more expansive yet accessible repertoire in an exciting variety of styles. This collection is perfect for choirs looking to broaden their repertoire and explore some of the best new music around.Jonathan bridcut (b.1984) has written a broad range of works for choir and orchestra that have been performed throughout the UK and europe. Jonathan was a treble at Winchester College where he was head Quirister in 1998 before Moving on to Radley College as top music scholar. He developed his interest in composition at Oxford University while studying at Exeter College as both an academic and choral Scholar. His first set of Evening Canticles was premiered in 2004 and a year later a second was performed in St Paul’s Cathedral. Recent highlights include performances at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre Tewkesbury Abbey St James’s Piccadilly and at the Lausanne Summer Festival by choirs and orchestras including Schola Cantorum of Oxford Commotio and The Oxford Spezzati. Future engagements include performances by the Oxford Spezzati and Laudate in London Lyon and Chester (where his latest choral commission will be premiered in September 2011). Jonathan graduated from Oxford in 2006 with a BA in Modern

Tarik O’Regan's The Night's Untruth for SATB chorus Brass ensemble and Organ is a co-commission celebrating the 10th anniversary of JAM (The John Armitage Memorial Trust) and the 40th anniversary of VocalEssence. 'The Night’s Untruth explores the use of sleep as metaphor by dint of excerpts from poems written in the 17th to 20th centuries. Death love fear ecstasy isolation dreaming and rest are all textual “variations” on the “theme” of sleep and can be found in the chosen texts. The work’s title is taken from a line in a poem by Samuel Daniel (1562-1619) and speaks tothe composition’s focus on sleep as a parallel possibly dystopian existence to the one experienced in our waking hours.' - Tarik O’Regan March 2010 Scored for brass quintet organ and SATB choir with (minor) divisi and occasional moderately demanding solos for tenor and soprano this evocative 16-minute work probes the mystery of sleep with texts from poems by Keats Samuel Daniel Shakespeare and Hart Crane: 'death love fear ecstasy isolation dreaming and rest' are the themes O'Regan explores through these texts in a work as episodic as a disturbed night with the title creating a 'focus in sleep as a parallel possibly dystopian existence'. - Organists' Review

Per Nørgård's 2 Nocturnes - for 12 voices (2003) 1. Summer's Sleep (text: Ole Sarvig) 2. Michael's Night (text: Ib Michael) English version. Programme note:These two choral pieces for 12 voices consists of radical recompositions on of earlier themes: in Summer's Sleep we hear new combinations of two 'Sarvig melodies' from the 1970s (one of which is now in the Danish Hymnbook under the title 'Året' The Year); Michael's Night is based on an earlier simple choral song (Star Mirror 1987) now for 12 voices and composed such that an originalidea of 'simultaneously displaced opposite motions' cf. the poem) comes out as desired. Of the Nocturnes Nørgård writes: 'Summer's Sleep was composed to stanzas of Ole Sarvig's poem The Year (from the collection Forstadsdigte ('Suburban Poems')) and forms the picture of 'the summer of life' which is asleep - while the 'heaven seed' waits for the summer wind ('invisible to every mind'). The many layers of text are expressed musically in a multilayered choral texture with 'looks' up and down through the various tempo and time-worlds: summer sleep summer dream. 'The second nocturne Michael's Night takes its name from the author Ib Michael whose poem Star Mirror (from the collection Himmelbegravelse ('Sky Funeral') (1986) I pushed/coaxed him to expand from one to nine stanzas. The four selected stanzas set in the nocturne focus on the pan-erotic elements of the moonlit starlit night. With the titles I have chosen I have stressed the mythic layer of the text the summer night not as a dream but as sensual reality. 'The two nocturnes are dedicated to Ivan Hansen on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday on 25th February 2003 out of gratitude for over a quarter of a century of inspiring collaboration'. Danish version available: KP01444

Jon Washburn Choral Series-This beautiful Sara Teasdale poem presents initially a comforting vision of the natural beauty of a world returning to equilibrium until we realize that it can only happen after humans are removed from the ?natural?equation.?Written a century ago this timely text is set by Rob Teehan in a lush colorful style which will allow your choir to focus on the poignant text.

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke-Scored for chorus children's choir organ and chamber orchestra St Luke Passion adopts a pared-back focus on choral voices over its 75-minute span. Seeking a more spiritual inward approach to match Luke s text the composer eschews settings of interpolated texts as arias and the customary Evangelist and Christ soli: everything is sung by choral forces. A children's choir grants a measure of innocence to Christ as the sacrificial lamb emphasising aspects of otherness sanctity and mystery. The Passion narrative is framed by a Prelude exploring the Annunciation and a Postlude taking us beyond the Crucifixion to the Resurrection and Ascension. These incorporate Gospel textswhere Luke explains the Kingdom of God.

These three a cappella movements each originate from different largescale compositions, some for fairly substantial forces. In these works, when the focus is turned on the essence of a statement, I have (probably out of pure instinct) permitted all adjuncts - such as subtle orchestral accompaniment, opulent percussion, soloists, electronics etc. - to fall silent and tried to express myself through pure choral singing. There is a saying originating from the Judeo-Christian tradition of thought: 'The last shirt has no pockets.' Perhaps this can also be applied within the field of music when one is attempting to penetrate to the essentials. Harald Weiss / Choeur Mixte A Cappella

Uses: Thanksgiving GeneralScripture: James 1:17; Psalm 85:12This Thanksgiving or general use anthem will be welcomed in choir folders and hearts everywhere. A pleasing 6/8 meter and a memorable thememake the piece easily accessible while sensitive word painting in the choral parts give ensembles a chance to focus on enunciation and expression. Includes flute and cello parts.

Incorporates Be Still My Soul and It Is Well with My Soul-Joining two beloved hymns in a prayer that is as timely as it is beautiful Joseph Martin has written an anthem of hope that offers assurance and comfort. Beginning with a tender setting of “Dona Nobis Pacem ” theninterweaving the two hymns “Reflections of Peace” is a choral prayer that is profoundly diverse in its appeal suitable for any occasion where the focus is on the subject of peace.

Uses: General Service MusicScripture: Psalm 95:1; Philippians 4:4; Psalm 104:1-2Moving your congregation from spectators to active participants is the focus of this new worship resource. Intended tobe a special moment for choir and congregation this octavo presents three hymns decorated with choral flourishes and piano and organ accompaniment. The congregation sings from the hymnal or reproducible song sheets as the choirand instrumentalists support and elaborate. An important new encouragement for corporate worship! Hymns featured include: Come Christians Join to Sing Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart and O Worship the King.

Gratias Agimus Tibi is a work by James Whitbourn for Unaccompanied Voices (in any combination) with an optional 'Amen' for SATB Choir and Organ ad lib. A setting of Latin text by Nigel Palmer the workwas composed for the college grace of St Stephen's House Oxford. Please note that the lyrics are in Latin. A review in the June 2016 edition of Organist's Review says that 'this anthem would be ofgreat use for St Stephen's Day and any service that may focus on the Saints...Another enjoyable composition from James Whitbourn who is fast becoming a very important and original voice in the field of church music.'

Sing Pop A Cappella is a collection of a cappella arrangements of fantastic pop songs old and new, by renowned teacher, singer and director Gitika Partington. Her arrangements are used by choirs across the UK, and she emphasises that being able to read music is not necessary. Rewarding and enjoyable, Book Three continues her project to bring people together through the power of song.What's great about Gitika Partington's Sing Pop A Cappella series is how she understands that to make great music or to sing a great song, it's not necessary to be able to sight-read. It may be useful, but she has learned that there are other ways to communicate music, namely through ear training, repetition and gesture. Her arrangements, five of which appear in this book, have enabled youth and community choirs to spring up across the country, making singing truly and universally accessible. Included in this book are wonderfully rich a cappella arrangements of Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers, Black Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair, Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, Adele's Rolling In The Deep and a huge favourite, Sway (Quien Sera). Vocal scores for these innovative and enjoyable arrangements are included in standard notation, although Partington recommends learning by ear as something equally beneficial. To aid with this, the accompanying download card includes five tracks of audio for each song. One features a full performance demonstration while the other four each focus on either soprano, alto, tenor or bass. The easy download of these tracks makes learning efficient and fun, as you are able to listen wherever you are.The great thing about a cappella singing is that it can be done anywhere, with limited resources, with members who don't necessarily have any musical training. Partington has created a book that can be used by a cappella choirs who love pop music that sounds great and will thrill audiences. Sing Pop A Cappella is not just a songbook, though, it also includes an extensive introduction by Partington, as well as performance tips for each song and information on voice care and learning the tunes. It's a personal book for Partington, who is passionate about the power of music to bring people together, and enthusiastic about getting people who wouldn't believe they had the confidence or ability, to sing pop!Sing Pop A Cappella is a brilliant book for choirs of any type or size who would enjoy singing five incredible pop tunes without accompaniment. The fantastic sound of a group of people singing a well-known song in a completely new and interesting way is something that Gitika Partington knows well, and something that she wants to impart to groups across the country. Songs like this were made to be sung, so pick up Book Three and Sing Pop A Cappella! / Choeur Mixte (SATB) Et Piano

Sing Pop A Cappella is a collection of a cappella arrangements of fantastic pop songs old and new by renowned teacher singer and director Gitika Partington. Her arrangements are used by choirs across the UK and she emphasises that being able to read music is not necessary. Rewarding and enjoyable Book Three continues her project to bring people together through the power of song. What's great about Gitika Partington's Sing Pop A Cappella series is how she understands that to make great music or to sing a great song it's not necessary to be able to sight-read. It may be useful but shehas learned that there are other ways to communicate music namely through ear training repetition and gesture. Her arrangements five of which appear in this book have enabled youth and community choirs to spring up across the country making singing truly and universally accessible.  Included in this book are wonderfully rich a cappella arrangements of Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers Black Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up Adele's Rolling In The Deep and a huge favourite Sway (Quien Sera). Vocal scores for these innovative and enjoyable arrangements are included in standard notation although Partington recommends learning by ear as something equally beneficial. To aid with this the accompanying download card includes five tracks of audio for each song. One features a full performance demonstration while the other four each focus on either soprano alto tenor or bass. The easy download of these tracks makes learning efficient and fun as you are able to listen wherever you are. The great thing about a cappella singing is that it can be done anywhere with limited resources with members who don't necessarily have any musical training. Partington has created a

Holiday cheer abounds in Dick Averre piece for mixed voices (SATB)! It is suitable for performance by any junior or senior high school where the winter holiday focus is on themes of good cheer and warm hearts.

From his Christmas work A Festival of Lessons and Carols John Leavitt's stately setting of this familar carol with its focus on the baby Christ Child may be used Christmas Eve or for any other special service during theChristmas season. Optional chamber orchestra parts available separately: woodwinds harp handbells strings and percussion.Available separately: SATB ePak(O) and BonusTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 2:50.

Purity of line and harmony focus attention on the expressive text of this beautiful ballad. / Voix Mixtes