Par PITTS ANTONY. The Naxos Book of Carols is collection of both the very old and the very new. Commissioned by the leading international classical music label, Naxos, these twenty-four arrangements of traditional and original carols tell the Christmas story - from the hope of Advent and the message of the Angels, to the humble birth of the baby in Bethlehem and the coming of the King of kings. This collaboration between Naxos and Faber Music has brought this volume, containing all 24 carols in four narrative sequences, in new arrangements for SATB choir with minimum divisi. There is a good mix of accompanied and a capella (even the latter have optional accompaniments) and there is practical guidance on how the carols may be used by congregations, as well as choirs with varied resources. The original CD, performed by the award-winning choir Tonus Peregrinus and directed by the composer Antony Pitts, is included within the book making it incredible value for money. / Choral Music / Recueil / Voix Mixtes

Bethlehem from Boublil and Schönberg’s 1996 musical Martin Guerre is a great addition to any Holiday repertoire this season. The lesser known historical musical from the same creative team that produced Les Miserables and Miss Saigon features similar vocal monumentality as its predecessors. This piece is the best of both worlds combining the grand sound of musical theatre with the festive atmosphere of carolling and will be a welcome change to often overplayed and dusty Christmas programmes. In this edition Bethlehem is arranged for SATB (Soprano Alto Tenor and Bass) Voices with Pianoaccompaniment.

Remember Bethlehem was conceived after a conversation on the works of the late story-telling songsmith Jake Thackray. Thackray’s sometimes bawdy sometimes satirical and often hilarious lyrics are delivered in a lugubrious baritone and underpinned by a strong Yorkshire accent that led him to be dubbed the “North Country Noel Coward”. In his Remember Bethlehem heshows a more tender side and tells a story devoid of expletives and cutting social commentary of a “shabby little country girl” completely broken by the ardours of her journey arriving in Bethlehem as a distrusted foreigner to give birth to baby boy called Jesus. Whatstruck and moved me most about Thackray’s telling of the Nativity Narrative is the way he normalizes Mary. Rather than retrospectively beatifying her - telling her story full in the knowledge of the extraordinary thing she did (as most nativity stories do) – Thackray’s portrayal of her as young afraid and cold makes her achievement all the more astonishing. Indeed so out-of-the-ordinary is the gift given by this apparently ordinary girl that no one and no thing can ever forget it: “Even the stony old hills […] your shaggy old trees […] the sulky old sun Remembers Bethlehem.” My carol of the same name adapts a similar approach to telling Mary’s story. Musically I have only thinly veiled my affection for Peter Warlock’s miniature masterpiece Bethlehem Down and evidence of this can be seen not only in the choice of key triple metre and strophic setting but also in the resemblance of some of the cadential figures. A final strand of influence comes once more from Yorkshire and specifically Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre. My wife is a literature scholar and pointed out to me the parallels between Mary’s plight in Thackray’s story and a scene from the novel in which Jane is lost up on the moors. Through her distrust of man she feels outcast and

Puer natus in Bethlehem-This setting of the famous chant melody Puer natus in Bethlehem will be a versatile addition to all types of Christmas programming from concert to worship. It may be performed in Latin or English with handbells or chimes providinga simple bourdon accompaniment. Duration: ca. 2:30.

Arranged from a Barque Carol for unaccompanied SSATB choir by Elizabeth Poston. Words adapted from the English version of Rev. J.O'Connor by Elizabeth Poston.

Destined for a Throne is an expressive ballad telling of Jesus' journey from the splendor of heaven to earth through Bethlehem and Jerusalem and back to the glory of His kingdom. The tone shifts from minor to majorbetween verse and chorus making the piece dramatically effective. Generous use of unison and two-part voicing in the verses combined with a memorable refrain makes this anthem accessible to all choirs. Destined for aThrone is suitable for Lent and throughout the entire Easter season.

from Journey of Promises-Uses: Christmas EpiphanyScripture: John 7:42 Micah 5:2 Matthew 2: 1-8This is a mosaic of splendid carols celebrating the birthplace of the King of kings! Once in Royal David's City; O Sing a Song of Bethlehem; O Little Town of Bethlehem; and Angels We Have Heard on High all are here and brilliantly orchestrated by Brant Adams. This is ideally fashioned for a Christmas pageant or for hangingof the greens commemorations. Splendid! Also available: iPrint Orchestration and StudioTrax CD.

Dr. Tim Sharp Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association has created this unique and captivating service of lessons an carols in the Early American style. Characteristic harmonies and sounds of the era canbe heard in this one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration. Readings and an outline for the service are included.Includes: Away in a Manger; Followers of the Lamb; Go Tell It on the Mountain; I Heard the Bells onChristmas Day; Oh Come Little Children; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Rise Up Shepherd and Follow; The Saviour's Universal Prayer; Shout Ye Heavens; Thou Child Divine; A Virgin Unspotted; We Three Kings of Orient Are; What ChildIs This? Available separately: SATB Preview CD ChoirTrax CD (split trax only) Preview Pak CD 10-Pak. Score and Parts (flute recorder clarinet percussion violin 1-2 viola cello double bass dulcimer accordion harpand opt. banjo) available as a Printed Edition.

A Cantata for Christmas-A Midnight Clear is a joyful collection of carols that beautifully and elegantly portray the Christmas story. Stylistic variety abounds and the optional Chamber Orchestration will provide additional layers of texture and color to the work. Selections can be presented individually or as part of a full-length cantata making this book an excellent choice for Lessons and Carols services or for concert presentations. Songs include: King Jesus Hath a Garden; Puer Natus in Bethlehem; Blessed Be That Maid Mary; All My Heart This Night Rejoices; It Came Upon the Midnight Clear; O Come Little Children; In Dulci Jubilo; Carol for the Newborn King; Christmas Celebration.

This service in song is a joyous celebration of hope and peace for the Christmas season. Using carols narration congregational participation and original anthems this approachable work is the perfect choice for choirs of any size. From jubilant songs of praise to reflective carols of peace this cantata is filled with moments designed to energize the spirit of the season in your community of faith. Extra musical suggestions offer directors creative options for presentation and the wonderfully crafted and colorful orchestrations by Brant Adams further enhance the festive potential of this thoughtful work.Songs include: Christmas Overture and Processional; The AdventRose; The Divine Expectation; Concertato on ?O Little Town of Bethlehem;? Carols from a Quiet Manger; Arise! (Hodie Christus natus est); Bleak Midwinter's Gift; Let There Be Christmas and more.

This service in song is a joyous celebration of hope and peace for the Christmas season. Using carols narration congregational participation and original anthems this approachable work is the perfect choice for choirs of any size. From jubilant songs of praise to reflective carols of peace this cantata is filled with moments designed to energize the spirit of the season in your community of faith. Extra musical suggestions offer directors creative options for presentation and the wonderfully crafted and colorful orchestrations by Brant Adams further enhance the festive potential of this thoughtful work.Songs include: Christmas Overture and Processional; TheAdvent Rose; The Divine Expectation; Concertato on ?O Little Town of Bethlehem;? Carols from a Quiet Manger; Arise! (Hodie Christus natus est); Bleak Midwinter's Gift; Let There Be Christmas; A Joyful Gathering of

from Season of Wonders-Uses: Advent ChristmasScripture: John 7:42; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-6Twirling like a Hebrew dance and leaping from the pages of prophecy this celebratory combination of folk song and carol is a jovialshout of praise for Advent. Unmistakable in its impact the anthem sings itself while the rollicking accompaniment creates an engine of joy propelling this piece into the heart of the listener. Two well-known melodies join in aballet of sound celebrating the anticipation of the coming Messiah. Available separately: SATB StudioTrax CD Orchestration CD-rom (Score & parts for Flute 1&2 (Flt 2 dbl Piccolo) Oboe Clarinet 1&2 Bassoon Horn 1&2 Trumpet1 Trumpet 2&3 Trombone 1&2 Bass Trombone/Tuba Timp Perc 1&2 Harp Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola Cello Double Bass). Duration: ca. 3:56.

In this seventh volume of Warlock’s Choral works there is a mixture of work. The Full Heart sets poetry of Warlock’s friend Robert Nicholas and is written for eight-part Chorus with a Soprano solo. A Cornish Christmas Carol is one of two Cornish carols Warlock wrote. This one is for Chorus SATB with SA divisi and a solo Soprano moment toward the end. Corpus Christi written in 1919 requires contrAlto solo and Tenor solo from the choir with an extremely demanding part for the contrAltos. The three dirges All the Flowers of Spring Call for the Robin Redbreast and The Wren and The Shrouding of the Duchess of Malfi were originally published as a set but are performedseparately. The first is for mixed Chorus SATB the second SSAA and the third TTBB with a first Tenor line of almost unequalled challenge.Composer writer and musical scholar Peter Warlock (Philip Heseltine) was active in the early decades of the twentieth century when he distinguished himself by his rediscovery and transcription of early English music his writing on Delius Gesualdo and other many other musicians and for his Choral works and songs among them the carol Bethlehem Down.