Here are three refreshing new modernarrangements of three popular traditional carols “like you ain’t never heardthem before”. Intended for the intermediate flute player (or players) and areasonably competent pianist, they are sure to brighten up your Christmasevents whether at home, school, church or recital hall. You can of course use the music with any number of flute players. The pieces could be usedduring a Christmas service or as stand-alone pieces at an end-of-termpresentation. The audio sample includes recordings of all three pieces.

The King Rides Out(based on “Good King Wenceslas”) starts conventionally enough but turns into acountry-style song and then there’s a three-part Bach-like contrapuntal section,concluding with a wistful coda before the music returns to the joyful countrystyle. Waltz with Holly – or Possibly Ivy (based of course on “The Hollyand the Ivy”) turns into a dreamy waltz with long extended phrases and a goodvehicle to show the flute player’s tone quality. The Merry Gentleman goLatin is a lively rumba version of “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”.

ColinKirkpatrick studied composition, cello and piano at London’s prestigious RoyalCollege of Music and after graduation followed a career in music education. Hewas a High School Music Director in London for about fifteen years and laterbecame a Music Education Adviser for local government, with the addedresponsibility for training teachers and directing the instrumental teaching service.

Hehas been published by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, Paxton, Schott, OxfordUniversity Press, Chester, Belwin Mills and Intrada (Netherlands). He holds MAand PhD degrees in education and his other interests include reading,photography, travel, cooking and wine tasting - though not necessarily all atthe same time.