'for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain'for junior-upper voice SSSA Choir and Double SATB Choir a cappella (Score)Commissioned by the National Youth Choirs of Great BritainText is by Arthur W. E. O'Shaughnessy, adapted by Jessica Duchen.Composer's NoteWhen the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain requested a short piece for their gala concert at Birmingham's Symphony Hall, I was particularly excited about the prospect of writing for 300 singers. A recent research trip to Estonia resulted in somewhat of a revelation: having heard and seen their world-renowned choirs in action (literally!) has resulted in We are the Music-Makers having the less mainstream 'surround-sound' of upper voices/junior choir at the back and sides of the audience and a further stereophonic double-choir on stage.This poem was sent to me by Tim Williams (my ex Head of English at school), and immediately seemed to fit this occasion. This text has already been set magnificently by Elgar, so partly to avoid any kind of comparison and also to bring its timeless message up to date, I asked my poet friend Jessica Duchen to give it a sligtly more contemporary feel.A poem about global music-making (which ties in with the NYCGB's recent World-Music CD), it speaks about humankind, nation to nation, and the mention of Babel inspiring a 'speakng of tongues' effect by using as many different international words for 'music' as possible as an accompaniment (not an easy task, as many of them are similar to our own word!). These are: French (Musique), Romanian (Muzica), Swahili (Mahewa), Polish (Muzka), Estonian (Muusika), German (Muzik), Japanese (Ongaku), and Spanish (Música). / Choeur Mixte (SSAATTBB) A Cappella

Psalm No.2 Why rage fiercely the Heathen Op.78 (1st & 2nd versions)Mendelssohn’s Three Motets Op.69 and Three Psalm Settings Op.78 belong to the standard repertoire of many choruses and vocal ensembles. Our editions the work of two leading Mendelssohn specialists Hiromi Hoshino and Michael Cooper present these pieces in separate volumes reflecting the latest state of scholarly research.We also offer a separate edition of Psalm 91 “For He shall give His angels charge” in its original setting for eight-part a cappella chorus. (Mendelssohn later incorporated it into “Elijah” with an orchestral accompaniment).Eachedition contains the original German text and the English translation authorized by the composer himself.A two-stave reduction of the vocal parts has been added as an aid in rehearsal. Complete editions are available with critical reports and introductions in German and English.- Urtext at the forefront of musical scholarship- Complete editions with critical reports and introductions in German and English- With piano reductions for rehearsal purposes

Hail Gladdening Light was written at the request of Matthew Owens for the choir of Wells Cathedral and was first performed at Candlemas 2006. The composer has long been an admirer of the setting by Charles Wood and so wanted to create a work with a completely different atmosphere particularly focusing on mystical light. The opening and closing sections make use of the Gregorian Chant for Candlemas – a troped setting of the Nunc dimittis. Where these chanted sections occur they should be unconducted and sung with the freedom and tempo of plainsong. The emphasis throughout the whole piece should be on luminosity. This piece isfrom Faber's Choral Signature Series which introduces a wealth of new or recently written choral music to choirs in search of fresh repertoire. the series draws in a rich diversity of living composers and includes both lighter and more challenging contemporary works offering a thrilling array of varied styles.

The a cappella motet 'Alleluja' (2018) is a 'song of longing' which resonates existential need as well as the hope of a profound connection to God. In the beginning which is delicate and motivically very concentrated but metrically deliberately uncoordinated more and more voices gather to sing together until suddenly starting from the bass a violent and rhythmically exalted incantation breaks out. The following fortissimo unison in a high register is the climax of the entire work piece. In the â??Abgesang â?� the beginning is taken up but now in a polyphonic and harmonically intensified setting. The end in A major seems like a salvation. The work has been released onthe CD 'Rejoice. Vocal Music by Kay Johannsen' (Carus 83.496/00).

VOCES8 singles series-A lullaby for choir and children?s choir (or sopranos) setting an ancient nursery rhyme that explores the idea of the journey through life. A New World is a musical story across five movements with texts by authors from Cicero and Ovid to George William Russel; from nursery rhymes to war poets. The music and texts link to form a narrative that questions what sort of ?New Worlds? have come into existence or could be created in our future and considers how we balance human traits of fear displacement isolation and conflict with equally human traits of love hope forgiveness and unity. The internationally-renowned British vocalensemble VOCES8 is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. The celebration of diverse musical expression is central to the ensemble?s ethos and this is shown in their versatile concert programmes and innovative educational work. The ?VOCES8 singles? series includes songs for which the group is particularly well known and which have been composed or arranged specifically for VOCES8.