Here are three refreshing new modernarrangements of three popular traditional carols “like you ain’t never heardthem before”. Intended for the intermediate alto sax player(s) and a reasonably competentpianist, they are sure to brighten up your Christmas events whether at home,school, church or recital hall. They could be used during a Christmas serviceor as stand-alone pieces at an end-of-term presentation. The audio sampleincludes 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 saxophone 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.