Today's Choral Classics is a special collection of pieces from the most exciting talents in choral composition today. From the church to the concert hall, it is the perfect volume for choruses seeking a contemporary choral repertoire, rich in accessible, modern arrangements in a variety of styles. Featuring Paul Mealor's Wherever You Are , a Christmas #1 for The Military Wives choir, and Ubi Caritas , his specially commissioned piece for the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - serene miniatures by John Tavener and Eric Whitacre - simple gems by Richard Rodney Bennett and Richard Blackford - and more substantial works by Judith Weir, James Whitbourn, Tarik O'Regan and Nico Muhly - choirs of all styles, sizes and abilities will discover a wealth of variety of inspiring pieces to delight singers and audiences alike. Today's Choral Classics is a fantastic addition to any music library or choral resource, and provides a solid and accessible basis for any contemporary choral concert programme. / SATB

Motets is a set of intimate and spiritually uplifting a cappella choral works by Karl Jenkins, featuring new pieces and arrangements of a selection of movements from his most popular works, including The Armed Man, Requiem, Adiemus and The Peacemakers. Although scored for mixed choir a cappella, most pieces include an optional accompaniment for piano or organ. Next to the complete vocal score (BH 12937) all 19 separate motets are also available as single pieces.Motets was recorded on Deutsche Grammophon 0289 479 3232 by Stephen Layton and Polyphony. / Choeur Mixte (SATB) A Cappella

These well-known words seem endlessly fruitful for the composer and conjure up such lovely images which strike each of us in our own way. For me it was the beauty of the language with its flower imagery which made me want to set the words with richly warm harmony and to temper that with gently imitative refrains. The important element in approaching the performance of this carol is the blend and balance of voices. With divisi writing and characteristically colourful harmonies, it is important that each note in the texture is given equal weight. It is also desirable that the tempo should be flexible and that phrase ends should be given a little time, especially at those moments marked either with a comma or tenuto. The final section starting with the upper voices should be ethereal and when the tenors and basses join they should do so gently to balance the upper parts. The bulk of the carol should be conducted in a minim beat, as indicated by the 2/2 time signature. Subdivisions should only be necessary at rallentandos. The piece should flow freely. 3/4 bars can be conducted in one to continue to encourage the carol's flow. Recommended recording: Come out, Lazar - The shorter choral works of Paul Spicer (Regent REGCD280) by The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, directed by Sarah MacDonald. / Choeur Mixte (SATB) A Cappella

A stunning and thoughtful setting of The Lord's Prayer in Afrikaans. The composer captures the mystery of the text in his melody. Contrasts in texture and dynamics hold the singer and listener throughout. A great choice for more advanced choirs. From the Amanda Quist Choral Series. / Choeur Mixte Satb A Cappella

Setting the Wendell Berry To My Mother but incorporating it for his parents, Joshua Shank portrays the sense of wandering and confusion in the early sections of his music but ultimately finds the revelation of true, unconditional love. Commissioned by Matthew Culloton and The Singers - Minnesota Choral Artists, and chosen by Dale Warland for his G.Schirmer series, this is a work worthy of the finest choirs. ScorePlay - click to view score with recording. / Choeur Mixte (SATB) A Cappella

Josquin des Pres is the master of polyphony for singers. Conductor, composer, editor Jameson Marvin is the standard bearer for polyphony in todays choral classroom. This movement from Missa Mater Patris allows your mens chorus to explore both polyphony and several beautiful homophonic moments in this Renaissance masterpiece. / Choeur TTBB A Cappella

'Each year at their Summer Festival in Tavistock, the Exon Singers feature the music of a living composer. In the summer of 2008 I was privileged to be the chosen composer. Salve Regina was written for the Festival and was performed once at a concert and subsequently at the broadcast of Choral Evensong in Buckfast Abbey.The music is unaccompanied and set for a six-part choir, with two parts for both sopranos and basses (and divisi for altos and tenors in the final phrase). The music begins gently and there is some dialogue between upper and lower voices. The climax in the middle uses all six parts and the end is quiet and reflective. Although some of the phrases are short, they should be sung with much expression and with appropriate crescendos and diminuendos.' / Choeur SSAATTBB A Cappella

Though it sounds very much like a folk song, Lorena was actually composed in 1856. It became extremely popular during the Civil War, when it was a favorite of both Confederate and Union soldiers who longed to be reunited with their sweethearts. This setting is scored for SATB divisi a cappella and was first sung by the Yale Glee Club, Jeffrey Douma director. / Choeur Mixte (SATB) A Cappella

Multi-dimensional imagery and music combine in this emotional homage to the power of abiding love. Challenging, yet intensely satisfying. / Choeur Mixte (SATB) A Cappella

Voici un cadre animé d'un texte anonyme de Noël que, bien que contemporaine, a une qualité de danse médiévale, comme à elle. Un programme idéal thème ouvre-boîte ou de concert, il faut un excellent pianiste. / SATB Et Piano

Commandée par Royal Holloway, Université de Londres, pour Rupert Gough et le Choeur de Royal Holloway à St Cecilia Concert annuel de l'Ordre a tenu en 2012, le 24 Novembre. / Choeur SATB/SATB

Using the sturdy but lilting Shaker tune, Jeffrey Douma has crafted a beautiful a cappella setting appropriate for any good high school or college choir. With a text that is as important today as it was when it was written, Wherever I am called, whatever I can do, shall be done in the name of the good and true, - this can be a powerful learning experience for all involved. / Choeur Mixte (SATB) A Cappella