To Us Is Given (SATB)

Of Noblest Cities is intended for a choir of between 12 and about 40 voices although it may also be given by just six singers one to a part (SSATBB). The piece can be performed unaccompanied if no suitable organ is available simply by leaving approximately two crotchet beats of silence between the end of the last note of one verse and the beginning of the next.Underlying the melody is a simple rhythm which is sometimes expanded or contracted. In the first verse the position of the main beats in this rhythm is made clear by the barlines. In the remaining verses however the barlines are only there to help the singers to keep together and forconvenience in rehearsal: singers should observe their own strong beats which fall in different places for each part and not regard the barlines as indicating downbeats. A few of the strong beats which underlie individual parts and appear to be contradicted by the barlines are marked by the symbol / .The words are a beautiful Victorian translation of a Latin hymn by Prudentius which meditates on the story of the three wise men. Each verse is set to the same melody in an increasingly rich counterpoint inspired by the wonderful sound of Tudor choral polyphony.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. Jeremy Thurlow is a composer writer and pianist. His music has been described as ‘seductive innovative full of freshness’ by Henri Dutilleux. It has been performed by the BBC Philharmonic the Fitzwilliam String Quartet Rolf Hind the BBC Singers Endymion Carmen Elektra Peter Sheppard Skaerved Matthew Schellhorn and Sequitur (New York) among others. In 2007 he won the George Butterworth Award for new composition. As a musicologist he writes on French music in

A Lyke-Wake Dirge - A Border Ballad Op. 110 a - a choral classic by Vagn Holmboe for SATB Choir A Cappella. 'The Lyke Wake Dirge is a moral ballad from the border telling the story of what will happen to the soul after death. If he has never given shoes and stockings to the poor then the 'whinnes' will torment him and pierce him to the bone. If he has never given food and drink to the poor then the fire of purgatory will burn him to the bare bone. However if he has done all these good works then Christ shall receive his soul.'

for unaccompanied SATB chorus-For Unaccompanied SATB chorus.First performed on Wednesday 11th August 2010 given by the choirs of Gloucester Cathedral Hereford Cathedral and Worcester Cathedral conducted by Adrian Partington at the 283rd Three Choirs Festival.'In Joubert’s setting the priest’s part is sung in speech rhythm in some places but in others it is measured and occasionally interlocks with the choral parts. The harmonic style vacillates between a language that is recognizably Joubert’s and one that seems to recall Elgar’s partsongs.'    - Sunday by Sunday (RSCM) John Joubert - Preces and Responses by musicroom

These two previously-unpublished Psalm settings were written while Benjamin Britten was studying at the Royal College of Music in London but despite encouragement from Ireland Vaughan Williams and Howells werenever performed during the composer's life.Scored for chorus and orchestra the contrasting movements show many of the traits so loved in Britten's later music. After being unearthed again from archives the premiere ofTwo Psalms was given on 1 December 2012 by the Oxford Bach Choir and English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Cleobury.Out Of The Deep and Praise Ye The Lord for SATB chorus and orchestra.Full Score.

The Holly And The Ivy is a work by Julian Marshall for Unaccompanied SATB Choir. A setting of the traditional poem a performance lasts around 2 and a half minutes. 'Not an arrangement but a newly composed tune to familiar words this is fun. With its jazzy rhythms and blue notes choirs and audiences will enjoy this setting – but in order for it to sound effortless and natural much preparation will need to be given to the details not least the chromaticism starting in the first bar!' 'Sunday By Sunday' December 2017

That They May Be One-Written for the choir of New College Oxford Ut Unum Sint! (That they may be one) sets words from St John’s gospel in which Christ prays that all may be one. This was the title of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on church unity. Combining atmospheric sections with more dramatic material it was given its first performance by the choir of New College in St Peter’s Rome in June 2015. SATB with Organ. Part of Faber Music’s Choral Signature Series.

Dante/Requiem Mass-Paul Mealor's Paradise for SATB and Brass Band. Commissioned by Professor Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke Band and supported using public funding by Arts Council England. The first performance was given at the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester on 27 January 2018 as part of the RNCM Festival of Brass by the Black Dyke Band with the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus conducted by Darius Battiwalla. Duration: c. 16 minutes

A mouth-watering musical banquet by Betty Roe that will have audiences salivating and leave them feeling stuffed! A Song For Your Supper is a culinary fun-piece for Mixed SATB choir and Piano with optional solo soprano and additional instruments. This is a well thought-out piece with alternatives and options which allow you to adapt to best suit your available resources. This wonderful suite even offers the opportunity for audience participation and they should be rehearsed beforehand and given a clear signal when to sing during the performance. With words by Jacqueline Froom this evocative and descriptive song will really involve and be enjoyed byeveryone.

Thea Musgrave's Missa Brevis for SATB and Organ.Thea Musgrave's Missa Brevis was given its first performance by Wells Cathedral Choir on the Feast of John the Baptist Sunday 24th June 2018 by Wells Cathedral Choir Jeremy Cole (organ) and Matthew Owens (conductor) in the presence of the composer.The work was commissioned by Cathedral Commissions of Wells Cathedral (cathedralcomissions.co.uk).Duration: 12 minutes

The Dance Forever The Dance was commissioned by Michael Kibblewhite and the Hertfordshire Chorus. The first performance was given on 4 December 1999. (Revised 2002). The text has been compiled by the composer and is drawn from a variety of sources which use dance as a metaphor for life and death. In particular poems by Oscar Wilde and W H Auden have been incorporated into the text. Scored for Mezzo-Soprano Solo SATB chorus and Orchestra. Duration 30 minutes.

The magnificent interweaving of harmonies and dialogue-like Voices in Handel’s For Unto Us A Child Is Born make it a perfect addition to the festive choral repertoire. German-born British Baroque composer George Frideric Handel originally composed this piece in 1741 for the English-language oratorio Messiah which eventually became one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. As the last song of Scene 3 of Part I of the oratorio which addresses Isaiah's specific prophecy about the virgin birth of a Messiah For Unto Us A Child Is Born tells the news of Christmas thebirth of a son in Isaiah’s words as found in the Scripture (Isaiah 9:6). The delicate familiar theme is introduced by the Sopranos and taken up by their counter-voices the Tenors later the same dialog is given over to the Altos and Basses. The tutti culminates in 'Wonderful' 'Counselor' 'The Mighty God' 'The Everlasting Father' and 'The Prince of Peace'. As an individual piece this song arranged for SATB Voices with Piano accompaniment is perfect for Christian settings especially during the Christmas season.

Commissioned by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Armonk New York USA. First performed on 4th June 2017 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Armonk; performed by the choir of St. Stephen’s Church conducted by James Turner. With Verses from Psalm 84 adapted by Nils Chittenden from the New International Version of the Bible. Arranged for SATB Choir and Organ. Duration is 4 minutes. 'Familiar verses from Psalm 84 are given a memorable treatment here by Paul Mealor. Repetition aids the chant-like effect more Taizé than Gregorian chant. This is an attractive anthem for modest choirs'. Sunday By Sunday December 2017