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

Uses: Advent Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:1 Isaiah 11:1-2 Isaiah 53:2 Innovative and filled with precious beauty this re-thinking of two evergreens from our seasonal carol book is simply breathtaking. The lyrical piano treatment motivates the anthem with dreamy patterns of loveliness while the impeccable vocal writing is given a sensitive caretaking. The melody of It Came upon the Midnight Clear is an apt vase for the Rose of this Advent moment.

The subtle beauty of this timeless Rodgers and Hart classic is enhanced by Bob Krogstad's masterful arranging touch. The rich harmonies progress in a classic jazz style into a perfect unfolding at just the right melodic moment. Magical! Duration ca. 3:50.

Lovely setting from Matthew 'Come unto Me and I will give you rest.' good for a small or new choir.

from Miss Saigon-Here is the tender ballad from Miss Saigon in a warm and expressive a cappella setting. The imploring melody emerges from the rich vocal accompaniment like a beacon. Stunning! Duration: ca. 2:50.

Uses: General Concert Revival Missions Evangelism Scripture: John 1:1-2 - II Timothy 3:16-17 Take a step back in time and experience the joy and nostalgia of a great hymn of the faith! Sweeping across the heartstrings this lilting arrangement is truly captivating! The accompaniment echoes the old-style revival piano playing that is our heritage of sacred song. A tour de force for the choir the writing offers each section a chance to shine and the ending Amen moment will give a satisfying conclusion to this winner! Score and Parts (fl 1-2 ob cl 1-2 bn tpt 1-3 hn 1-2 tbn 1-2 tba perc 1-2 timp hp pno vn 1-2 va vc db) available on CD-ROM and as a digitaldownload.

Originally released for male choir this revoicing evokes the mournfulness surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. Burchard's flowing lines in and out of alluring suspensions keeps us immersed in the sweet tension of the Latin text. But our struggles are beautifully rewarded as the piece quietly ends in the major tonality. A wonderful Lenten or Communion anthem for the advanced church choir or a concert piece for community or college choirs. Medium in difficulty.

The Peter Aston Editorial Library includes detailed performance notes and recognizes English Renaissance works that have largely been missed in the U.S. This Farrant composition displays some of the best Elizabethan writing and is a joy to sing.