A Gaelic Blessing is a simple and catchy piece by Craig McLeish. This piece will be particularly useful for school, junior and community choirs, and a tuneful introduction to singing simple contrapuntal lines. The second soprano part repeats the tune at bar 33 and should dominate here - the first sopranos and altos should support appropriately. Ease and beauty of tone should be of paramount importance throughout. An inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers, the Novello New Choral Series offers 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. Craig McLeish began his musical life as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral under Barry Rose. He began composing at the age of ten and his preces and responses for four trebles are still in the repertoire. After a degree at York University he returned to London to study at the Guildhall and sang again at St Paul's as a tenor. At the time he also arranged and copied music for West End shows such as Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, and played bass guitar for various groups. This led to a spell in the cult pop band 'Fat and Frantic', who shaved the top 100 twice with the whimsical anthem Last night my wife hoovered my head. He also worked as musical assistant for David Heneker (Half a Sixpence) and David Fanshawe (African Sanctus). In 1992 Craig became director of the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs Orchestra and Singers, performing concerts throughout the UK and becoming involved in a number of recordings and BBC broadcasts. During this time he arranged more than 250 orchestral scores ranging from Queen to Calamity Jane, Stravinsky and Stevie Wonder. Alongside this he began arranging and writing songs for children's collections (Big Blue Planet, Love Shone Down) and producing recordings and string arrangements for various artists (Sheila Walsh, Kim Hill, Matt Redman). He is also well known as a conductor and arranger for Songs of Praise. Recently Craig has collaborated with composer Tolga Kashif writing orchestrations for the RPO's Seo Taiji Symphony, the Classic FM chart-topping CD by saxophonist Tyler Rix, and the Genesis Suite which was premiered at the Barbican. He has been musical director of Young Voices UK for 13 years, bringing large school choirs together to play with a live band and solo artists, and currently conducts the Milton Keynes Community Choir, Hart and Soul Community Choir and the Milton Keynes Youth Choir. / Choeur SSA

A little donkey helps Santa Claus bring presents to children in Italy in this delightful novelty arrangement. Various Italian words and expressions are used throughout with easy part writing and plenty of hee-haws for all!

Hungary has a thousand-year-old tradition of reverence for the Virgin Mary. In the course of the centuries the Church has found more and more occasions for the celebration of Mary. The greatest is the celebration of Mary?s assumption into heaven which coincides with the anniversary of the death of Saint Stephen on August 15. The texts of these choral works originate from various supplicatory prayers from the office vocal texts and hymns. The six choral works don?t form a cycle since the texts are associated with different liturgies. The choruses: Regina caeli ? antiphon for Easter Sub tuum praesidium ? antiphon Maria Mater gratiae ? short hymn Ave Regina caelorum ?antiphon for Lent Ave maris stella ? Hymn to Mary Virgo parens Christi benedicta ? responsorium can be sung singly or in any combination.

This composition was inspired by a poem that incorporates various bird sounds with melodies based on the actual songs. A charming and playful piano part supports the motif of this song - just right for spring concerts! For high school women and beyond.

Peter Lawson's Tunes From The Trenches - Songs From World War One for Choir and Orchestra or Concert Band or Choir and Piano.A non-stop medley of tunes from World War One from recruiting through to the Last Post. This arrangement can be performed by a Choir with either an Orchestra band or piano accompaniment. There are different choral versions available for Mixed Voice Choir - both SATB (GM131) and for those with a shortage of male voices SA+Men (GM134) - for Upper Voice Choir (SSA - GM132) and for Male Voice Choir (TTBB - GM133). The orchestra score and parts (GMCP020) can be used either on its own or to accompany a choir.Therecruiting song 'Your King and Country Want You' starts us off followed by 'Goodbye Dolly Gray' as the soldiers leave for war. 'Belgium put the Kibosh on the Kaiser' is followed by some proper trench songs - various lyrics were improvised by the soldiers!! - 'Three German Officers crossed the Rhine' and 'They were only playing Leap-Frog'. 'The Bells of Hell go Ting-a-ling-a-ling' leads to strains of 'Stille Nacht' recalling the Christmas truce. 'When this Lousy War is Over' and 'There's no place like Home' are balanced by 'Land of Hope and Glory' before the Americans arrive with 'The Caissons go Rolling Along' and 'Over There'. 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' brings us towards a rousing finish save for an optional 'Last Post-lude' to end reflectively.

Carmina Mundi. 10 original compositions for female choir. Unlike many countries in which music was passed on by word of mouth over generations, Israel possesses no such tradition. Nevertheless the various ethnic groups which have emigrated to Israel have taken their musical traditions there with them. 'Open the Gates' offers - along with two pieces from Morocco and the Yemen - arrangements of classical Israeli songs for female choir./ Répertoire / SSA

The candle is a universal symbol of peace and hope. This seasonal selection honors the tradition with its captivating music and heartwarming text. At the end, four spoken greetings embrace various holidays. As a special touch, project animated images from the VideoTrax DVD on a large screen during performance. / Choeur SSA

A lively very effective arrangement of a traditional slave song about the road to freedom. Syncopation and subject matter make this a fine program selection. For SAB high school choir with piano and various percussion. A popular well-received work!

A highly original and effective concert setting of the Latin Missa brevis in which the various movements embrace a variety of jazz styles. The characterful piano accompaniment can be played as written or serve as a guide and bass and drums can join in ad lib.

Irish Folk Song-Colcannon made from various combinations of cabbage kale onions scallions and potatoes mashed with butter and milk is one of Ireland's most famous traditional dishes. Although this piece at first seems like a tribute to food it's really a tribute to memory and to times gone. The verses take us from the home to the school to courting on a country lane with the narrator a little older in every verse and a little more aware of the magic of the moment. For women's choir (SSA).

We Reach This Season-This fun gospel-style piece is arranged for women's choir with solo and keyboard but can also be used with other vocal configurations by assigning the solo and SSA parts to various voices. It begins slow and soulfully themiddle section is fast and driving and the conclusion returns to the opening theme.