Novello New Choral Series-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 moreexpansive 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 & 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

This book contains sumptuous new Choral versions of seven chart-topping pop songs. The arrangements are by renowned Vocal Coach and Choral Director Mark De-Lisser and are recorded by ACM Gospel Choir. The fourth pop repertoire book in the popular Sing Out! series brings you uplifting songs with positive lyrics. With such feel-good hits as Happy by Pharrell Williams Magic by Coldplay You Gotta Be by Des’ree and more this Choral collection will delight and inspire both the singers and listeners alike. Arranged for SAT Choir with the occasional solo part this pack includes a download card with performancebacking tracks full demonstrations and individual rehearsal tracks of each Vocal line recorded by members of ACM Gospel Choir. The scores feature Piano parts and chord symbols for band accompaniment. Helpful hints for performing each piece are also included in this book giving you everything you need to learn these well-loved songs. If this all sounds too good to be true it isn't! Watch Mark De-Lisser himself explaining why you need to check out the Sing Out! Series straight away:  

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

The Alleluia Jubilate was written for the Choir Schools’ Association Conference and is therefore a creation for well-trained young musicians. The opening phrases in which the conductor separates the syllables with restsis particularly effective in cathedrals and spaces with long reverberation time.Contemporary British composer and conductor James Whitbourn an award-winning creator of Choral music film and television scores and works for theconcert hall may be best known for his largest composition the oratorio Annalies which sets words from The Diary of Anne Frank.

John Rutter's What Sweeter Music for SSA or SSS and Organ or Strings.Originally published in a version for mixed voices this much-loved Rutter carol has been adapted by the composer for performance by upper-voice choirs. Full scores and Sets of Parts specially composed for the upper-voice version are available on sale and on hire/rental. The Set of Parts contains the following String parts: 4 x vln I 4 x vln II 3 x vla 2 x vc 1 x db.

‘How many insects find their home in an English country garden?’ asks the second verse of this tongue-in-cheek arrangement of the familiar traditional English Country Garden before moving on to the birds that ‘drive you right up the wall’ and the weeds ‘that always defeat you’.Contemporary English composer Herbert Chappell has been an active free-lance writer of music since the 1950’s since when he has written and conducted hundreds of works that range from advertising jingles and tv and film scores to beloved works for young and amateur musicians and much in between. English Country Garden cleverly modulates upwards at each verse adding to the fun and ending with a coda fullof exasperation and humour.

Quoting the Austrian folk carol Still Still Still Mark Williams scores a winner for treble choirs

Pop sensation Colbie Caillat scores again with this appealing charmer that soared up the pop charts in 2009! Available separately: SSA ShowTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:25.

This setting of Away in a Manger includes both of the well-known melodies interweaved with the gentle arpeggiated accompaniment that underscores the warm vocal textures. Includes part for optional melody instrument.Availableseparately: SATB SAB and 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 3:00