John Tavener's Ex Maria Virgine is a sequence of Christmas carols their emphasis on the Nativity and the Virgin Mary. Scored for SATB unaccompanied or with Organ the collection isrepresentative of the broad range of Tavener's choral writing. These carols may be performed as the full sequence or as individual pieces: carols such as Ding! Dong! Merrily on High and Unto Us is Born aSon to familiar texts made novel and exciting or Rocking a simple four-part setting sure to become a favourite with choirs of any accomplishment.

It is now impossible to imagine a world without Imagine an enduring hymn of solace and promise that has carried us through extreme grief and continues to provide hope all around the world up to this day.The immortal song was the best selling single of the solo career of John Lennon the co-founder of the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music the Beatles; a legend who hardly needs any introduction. Since its release in 1971 the song has sold more than 1.6 million copies just in the UK and has been recorded and performed by dozens of artists including Madonna Stevie Wonder Elton John and DianaRoss.As part of the Pop Choral Series John Lennon’s signature song has been arranged for SATB a cappella choir by Roger Emerson. Named one of the 100 most-performed songs of the 20th century and played just before the New Year's Times Square Ball drops in New York City since 2005 Lennon’s plea for world peace remains relevant and timeless a guaranteed audience favourite.

This evocative lesson from scripture reminds us that repentance is at the center of the journey of faith. The music follows the contours of the lyric with organic clarity to capture the nuance and meaning of redemption and reconciliation. With distinctive choral textures that add heightened expression, this anthem is a prayer of deep yearning for restored intimacy with God. Inspiring!

A secular carol-Commissioned by the Fairhaven Singers (Ralph Woodward conductor) and premiered in December 2013 this Christmas carol is not explicitly religious and so can be used at any occasion during the festive period. The text tells of ‘this beautiful time of the year’ and how it is a time for reflection on the year that’s gone by. The strophic setting is very approachable being mostly homophonic with some gentle dissonance and would give a contrast to the lighter side of the traditional Christmas choral fare.

Blake Fragments was written for performance in Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Guggenheim Museum in New York City and calls for the solo voices to be placed in various positions on the concentric rings that rise up from the central rotunda. In subsequent performances this configuration will generally be impossible but the soloist arrangement that was used is included should performers like to respond in some fashion to the original arrangement. The piece may be performed with the four soloists singing within the main chorus though some spacial separation on a single level or additionally using a balcony or backstage might better dupicate the original intentions. To allow fordifferent positions the four solo parts may be sung by more than four choral members (in the premiere there were two different sopranos covering the soprano part.)

The Kikapust Choral Series offers choirs an extensive choice of close-harmony a cappella arrangements. All of our arrangers / composers Jonathan Rathbone Ben Parry & Mark Williams were long-standing members ofthe Swingle Singers.

'Adoro te' is a hauntingly atmospheric setting of text by Thomas Aquinas which has been translated into English by Bishop James Woodford. It’s beautiful simplicity and relative brevity makes it an ideal addition to a choral programme at any point in the liturgical year.

The Kikapust Choral Series offers choirs an extensive choice of close-harmony a cappella arrangements. All of our arrangers / composers Jonathan Rathbone Ben Parry & Mark Williams were long-standing members ofthe Swingle Singers.

A cappella motet from Requiem-Motets is a set of intimate and spiritually uplifting a cappella choral works by Karl Jenkins featuring new pieces and arrangements of a selection of movements from his most popular works including The Armed Man Requiem Adiemus and The Peacemakers. Although scored for mixed choir a cappella most pieces include an optional accompaniment for piano or organ. Next to the complete vocal score (BH 12937) all 19 separate motets are also available as single pieces.Motets was recorded on Deutsche Grammophon 0289 479 3232 by Stephen Layton and Polyphony.

Judith Clurman Choral Series-With a text by Christina Rossetti this a cappella piece for mixed voices displays a full dynamic range through rich homophonic textures. A challenging and compelling work!

Novello New Choral Series-Craig McLeish writes of The Negro Speaks of Rivers; Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was the first black American to earn his living from writing. He was an innovator of jazz poetry becoming part of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s. He wrote plays short stories novels and his poetry was widely read. He was also a journalist columnist and lecturer. The Negro Speaks of Rivers was perhaps his earliest published work written when only 17 and while travelling by train to Mexico to visit his father. As the train crossed the Mississippi he suddenly began thinking about how rivers had impacted on Negro history particularly in the fight against slavery.The four rivers mentioned in the poem lent themselves to using musical influences from those particular regions. However I have tried to keep these links fairly tenuous to avoid overt pastiche. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to work with Congolese musicians. These sessions led to the intricate rhythms in The Congo. The Mississippi mentions New Orleans so a jazz fugue seemed the most appropriate compositional device to weave into the texture. The spirit of The Nile was gauged from many hours listening avidly to Egyptian music.Craig McLeish began his musical life as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral. As a bass guitarist conductor musical arranger and composer he has worked with a wide variety of groups in several genres and scored a hit with the cult pop band ‘Fat & Frantic’. He is musical director of Young Voices UK and conducts several youth and community choirs in and around Milton Keynes. Listen to an excerpt from Craig McLeish's The Negro Speaks Of Rivers:  

Nico Muhly's All Our Works for unaccompanied SATB Choir.This piece incorporates words by Thomas Cranmer. It was commissioned by The Cardinall's Musick for their 25th Anniversary in 2014 with the support oftheir friends. The first performance took place on 26 July 2014 conducted by Andrew Carwood atWigmore Hall London.

Sleep Softly Now. for SATB unaccompanied This beautiful setting of a medieval English text is simple yet effective, written in Assersohn's clear and approachable style. With tender 'lullay, lullow's, lilting phrases, and gentle modal inflections,this hushed lullaby paints a serene picture of the baby Jesus at rest.