An Angelic Christmas

Beginning with a light jazz feel and optional a cappella voices this medley floats along with contemporary piano accompaniment and touches upon the angelic lyrics of well-known Christmas carols. A beautiful selection for bothsecular and sacred settings. Available: SATB; SSAB; SSA; PianoTrax CD.

This little piece was commissioned by King's College, Cambridge in 2002 as the then-latest in their celebrated annual Christmastide service of Nine Lessons and Carols for their unique Chapel - it is dedicated to the choir and its director Stephen Cleobury. 'Little', but already a mini-cantata telling the start of the familiar story - Gabriel's Annunciation - praise to the Virgin before she too sings 'my soul doth magnify the Lord': the shepherds a-watching their flocks by night - the angelic chorus in the sky - the fusion of celestial and earthy around the crib holding the baby who is also 'lord of Time and Space'. Here we stop, for now. In fact this is only the first panel of a Christmas Sequence that continues and concludes the whole tale. Seeking out unhackneyed texts, I found such attractive material in the byways that I couldn't resist weaving together from it a composite tapestry, then setting the lot! The words of this section are from the Gospel account, anonymous carols of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, Edmund Bolton (1611, 'Sweet music, sweeter far...'), the Gloria from the Mass, a couple of lines from well-loved Anglican Christmas hymns - with neutral link-lines of my own. The music, also, has elements of such wider referencing, which will surely not be lost on the attentive hearer! / Choeur Mixte (SATB) Et Orgue

7 Arrangements for Brass Quintet-Seven holiday favorites recorded by The Canadian Brass: Away in a Manger * Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy * Deck the Halls - In Dulci Jubilo * Grand Angelic March * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * Sweet Songs of Christmas * We Three Kings of Orient Are.

7 Arrangements for Brass Quintet-7 holiday favorites recorded by The Canadian Brass: Away in a Manger * Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy * Deck the Halls - In Dulci Jubilo * Grand Angelic March * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * Sweet Songs of Christmas * We Three Kings of Orient Are.

7 Arrangements for Brass Quintet-7 holiday favorites recorded by The Canadian Brass: Away in a Manger * Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy * Deck the Halls - In Dulci Jubilo * Grand Angelic March * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * Sweet Songs of Christmas * We Three Kings of Orient Are.

Uses: Advent Christmas Feast of the AnnunciationScripture: Luke 1:16-26The words of the Magnificat are joined with the English carol Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day to capture the joy ofMary as she worships God at the angelic announcement. A graceful treatment of a beloved tune this anthem is essential repertoire for Advent Christmas or any Marian emphasis. Delightful!

There is no rose may be considered as having three distinct but musically interlinked phases. The first is reflective in nature a set of musings on the mysteries of Mary as the Mother of God the nature of God Creation and the Trinity; the music lends a sense of the rising expectation appropriate to the season of Advent. This increasing tension breaks out into the angelic chorus Gloria in excelsis Deo a brief glimpse of something other which is then echoed by the fading repetitions of Gaudeamus (we rejoice). Finally the poem moves on joining the procession towards Christmas; a new key the expanding range and Transeamus (we go/proceed/cross over) fading intothe distance serve to provide a musical metaphor for the journey.The Novello New Choral Series is an inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers offering 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. This collection is perfect for choirs looking to broaden their repertoire and explore some of the best new music around.Andrew Cusworth (b.1984) read music at Magdalene College Cambridge where he was also an Organ Scholar. Recent compositions include Factum est silentium for double choir and organ which won the first New Music for St Paul’s Cathedral Composition Competition and Give ear O ye heavens which was shortlisted for the King James Bible Trust Composition Awards. 'This is a piece whose effect greatly exceeds its simple means and it would be welcome in any serious carol service.' - Jeremy Summerly Choir & Organ

From the Republic of Congo this wonderfully rhythmic traditional African folk tune is sung in the Lingala language. The lyric joyfully expresses the angelic announcement of the birth of Emmanuel and conveys a message of hope for the world. Percussion is included in this great multicultural selection for Christmas.

Incorporating Hark! The Herald Angels Sing-Uses: Christmas YouthScripture: Luke 2:8-14This anthem articulates two different choral styles creating a dramatic effect. The opening style depicts a peaceful pastoral tableau that surrenders to amiddle section defined by a jubilant contemporary style reflecting the glory of the angelic acclamation. With or without the rhythm section this anthem works well for a traditional/transitional congregation.

from Once Upon a Night-Pepper Choplin has a singular perspective that he brings to the craft of composition. This beautiful call to reflections is a pull-out from his best-selling cantata Once Upon a Night. Long after the angelic“glories” have died away the message of this piece is to listen deeper to the echoes of one's own heart to find the true meaning of Christmas. A “selah” for your seasonal service planning. Profoundlymoving!

Gloria by Gary Hallquist for SATB and Piano.With a text by the composer this declamatory Christmas piece provides a fresh take on the nativity story. The cacophony of choral sound in the polyphonic middle section is akin perhaps to the angelic announcement of Jesus's birth leading to an emphatic closing proclamation 'Gloria! in excelsis Deo!'.

Based on Gloria-The beginning and ending fanfare sets the tone for an exciting arrangement by Vicki Tucker Courtney of the well-known French carol Gloria. A syncopated accompaniment along with the vocal meter change from 4/4 to 6/8 in the choruscreates energy throughout the music. The original chorus transitions to the familiar chorus building to a triumphant ending. The available brass ensemble parts add power and finesse. Instrumentation includes: Score Trumpet 1 Trumpet 2 Trombone Bass Trombone.