SKU: CF.CM9654

ISBN 9781491157268. UPC: 680160915828. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: Ab major. English, English. Julian of Norwich (1342-1416).

Burrows's setting of words of assurance from the English mystic Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) is as relevant today as ever. For the advanced mixed ensemble, the powerful lyrics coupled with gorgeous harmonies make this an optimistic song of hope appropriate throughout the year.
All shall be well, And all shall be well, And all manner of thing shall be well. These words of assurance from the English mystic Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) are as relevant today as ever. During her life, Julian saw her community devastated by the Great Plague as well as deep civil unrest. Yet through all the turmoil came a vision of hope that has given the world this profound text. One of the most striking features is how this short text incorporates so much repetition. It's as if the writer knew she must be gently persistent in order for her optimistic message to truly sink in. The opening section tries to capture musically some of that persistent optimism. Then there is a departure from this optimistic tone (measure 26) The feel becomes more desperate, building to an anguished cry (measure 38), acknowledging the reality that, while all shall be well, things are very much NOT well right now. Eventually the anguish subsides (measure 52) as the music turns back hopeward with the calm assurance, again and again, that all shall be well.
All shall be well,And all shall be well,And all manner of thing shall be well.These words of assurance from the English mystic Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) are as relevant today as ever. During her life, Julian saw her community devastated by the Great Plague as well as deep civil unrest. Yet through all the turmoil came a vision of hope that has given the world this profound text.One of the most striking features is how this short text incorporates so much repetition. It’s as if the writer knew she must be gently persistent in order for her optimistic message to truly sink in.The opening section tries to capture musically some of that persistent optimism.Then there is a departure from this optimistic tone (measure 26) The feel becomes more desperate, building to an anguished cry (measure 38), acknowledging the reality that, while all shall be well, things are very much NOT well right now.Eventually the anguish subsides (measure 52) as the music turns back hopeward with the calm assurance, again and again, that all shall be well.

SKU: CF.CM9740

ISBN 9781491161203. UPC: 680160919789. Key: Bb major. English. Siegfried Sasson.

Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom... These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the Great War finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he was feeling dull-minded and depressed. Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent. One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to.   The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality. The appearance of suddenly in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush. There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet's bold choices of action words - burst, winging, and shaken. Then there's alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance. Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11) Find/freedom (measure 21-22) Winging/wildly (measure 23) Setting/sun (measures 47-49) Was/wordless (measures 65-75) Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text.   And just as O is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting - in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder - ...O, but Everyone Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will Never be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about. May the singing never be done.
Everyone suddenly burst out singingAnd I was filled with such delightAs prisoned birds must find in freedom…These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the “Great War” finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he “was feeling dull-minded and depressed.” Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent.One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to. The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality.The appearance of “suddenly” in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush.There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet’s bold choices of action words – burst, winging, and shaken.Then there’s alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance.Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11)Find/freedom (measure 21-22)Winging/wildly (measure 23)Setting/sun (measures 47-49)Was/wordless (measures 65-75)Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text. And just as “O” is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting – in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder –…O, but EveryoneWas a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing willNever be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about.May the singing never be done.

SKU: OU.9780193439160

ISBN 9780193439160. 10 x 7 inches.

For SATB unaccompanied The wonderful choral music of Howard Skempton has a unique voice that is instantly recognizable. Four by the Clock, which sets words by Longfellow, is a rich and brooding piece that although quiet and slow throughout, fizzes with a barely contained energy and excitement for the 'dawn that is to be'.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.

SKU: OU.9780193355583

ISBN 9780193355583. 10 x 7 inches.

For SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied. Set to the text of a 12th-century Sequence in honour of the martyr St Olav and characterized by a mellifluous plainchant-style melody, this glorious motet pulses with understated intensity. The opening drones, performed in free time and re-stated throughout, establish a quiet energy which rises until the luminescent final section, in which the heavens are called to rejoice. The original Sequence provides a stately coda. This is splendid and original music, suitable for both concert and liturgical use.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.

SKU: OU.9780193413450

ISBN 9780193413450. 10 x 7 inches.

for SATB double choir unaccompanied
A setting of Shakespeare's much-loved Sonnet 18, Bednall's expressive work highlights this timeless text with sumptuous harmony, including pleasing tonal shifts and topical false relations. Various choral textures are explored, from the imitative lines of 'Sometime too hot', to the warm richness of the closing pages, where the choir divides into eight parts. This work is part of the New Horizons series and a piano reduction is included for rehearsal purposes.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.

SKU: OU.9780193512061

ISBN 9780193512061. 12 x 8 inches.

For SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied The text for this part-song is a deftly chosen selection of lines from Keats' Ode to a Nightingale. Jackson's setting features many of his stylistic hallmarks: glissandi, melismas, aleatoric patterns, and solo lines that float above the texture. Highly attractive and suitable for summer concerts.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.

SKU: OU.9780193366015

ISBN 9780193366015. 12 x 8 inches.

For SATB unaccompanied To Music is a jubilant anthem set to a poem by Robert Herrick ('To Music - A Song'). Commissioned by the BBC to mark Stephen Cleobury's 60th birthday celebrations in 2009, the work perfectly captures the exultant mood of the text, extolling the virtues of music.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.

SKU: OU.9780193359383

ISBN 9780193359383. 12 x 8 inches.

For SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Setting of a text by St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), a Hymn for Lauds on the feast of the Guardian Angels.

About Oxford New Horizons

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.