Christmas at King's College

20 Hymn Arrangements-Hymns From King’s is a collection of 20 hymns for Choir and Organ arranged by Stephen Cleobury – Director of Music at King’s College Cambridge for more than 25 years. Covering the entire church year including Christmas and Easter Hymns From King’s is not just a book of descants – it also contains varied arrangements and accompaniments for many of the most popular hymns sung not only at King’s College but also in churches around the world.

Par WHITBOURN JAMES. This glorious collection of beautiful choral music by composer James Whitbourn includes fifteen short works drawn from his oeuvre from the first few years of the 21st century. Many of his greatest compositions are included in The Choral Collection, with many of the pieces working perfectly for seasonal performances, while also reflecting the many fruitful collaborations of Whitbourn's distinguished career. All works are arranged for SATB Choir. James Whitbourn has become renowned throughout the world for his acclaimed compositions and settings of numerous texts. He has been described as truly original and an innovator of contemporary British choral music, collaborating with people like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. The former appears here, as A Prayer Of Desmond Tutu, a setting of one of the Archbishop's prayers. His arrangements and compositions for the King's College Choir have been universally critically acclaimed, with A Great And Mighty Wonder, Nunc Dimittis and Were You There? representing these hugely popular collaborations. Whitbourn has also had a very close relationship with the BBC since his beginnings as a composer, working with them on three pieces within The Choral Collection. Eternal Rest and Give Us The Wings Of Faith were both composed specifically for television broadcast, the former (in its orchestral form) was played for the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002. His longest work, for which he is most famous, is a setting of text from'the Diary of Anne Frank'. There Is No Speech Or Language comes from this work, taking its text from other sources, but that still maintain the beauty and tragedy of the wider piece. The Choral Collection of fifteen compositions by James Whitbourn is full of beautiful, haunting, uplifting and inspiring melodies for SATB Choir and Organ Accompaniment from one of the most treasured British choral composers. The brilliant choice of texts throughout is matched only by the sheer compositional skill of Whitbourn in evoking the emotions of the words in the musical form. Also included are suggestions for seasonal song use, a list of recordings, and fascinating song notes written by Whitbourn himself. The joy of choral singing is nowhere more evident than in a work by James Whitbourn, and performances of any piece within this collection is sure to be remembered for a long time to come./ Recueil / Choeur Mixte (SATB) et Orgue

This carol by the leading Finnish composer of his generation was commissioned by King’s College Cambridge and first performed at A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in 2010. Rautavaara’s mystical style comes through in the parallel textures and shifting tonality. Christmas Carol is a challenging but entirely rewarding contemporary carol for choirs looking for something a bit different to add to their repertoire.

These two carols by Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe are in celebration of Christmas. The Birthday of thy King was written in 1988 for the choir of King's College Cambridge. Here it has been paired with the serene and lilting Morning Song for the Christ Child for the first time.

POD-Richard Rodney Bennett's Lullaby Baby is dedicated to the Choir of King's College Cambridge. This work for SATB choir unaccompanied is a setting of text by John Phillip.Duration: 3 minutes. 'This delightful setting of a 16th-century text was written for the choir of King’s College Cambridge and requires fine intonation especially in the jazz-influenced harmonies. A good performance of this carol will create a momentary time of peace amid the jollity of Christmas'. 'Sunday by Sunday’ December 2017   Lullaby Baby a 1986 setting of words by the 16th-century John Phillip (alsoset by Britten) is dedicated to King's College Cambridge and needs such a choir to do justice to the richly varied harmonies which set the repeated stanzas and refrain. Organists Review December 2017

POD Firm Sale Only- Duration:  5 - 6 minutes This work was commissioned as the final voluntary in the 2005 Christmas Service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge. It was broadcast live on Christmas Eve 2005 on BBC Radio Three and again in a repeat transmission on Christmas Day performed by the Senior Organ Scholar Tom Winpenny to whom it is dedicated.

The Shepherd’s Cradle Song was first published in 1918. It is presented here in the key of Eb Major for low Voices with Piano accompaniment. The text is taken from an anonymous lullaby originally written inGerman which is suitable for any Nativity or Christmastide occasion.Sir Arthur Somervell (1863-1937) was a British composer conductor and civil servant. He studied at King’s College Cambridge and the RoyalCollege of Music under Charles Stanford and Charles Parry. He later became an inspector at the Board of Education for which he received a knighthood. While he wrote several large operatic orchestral and choral works he is bestremembered for his chamber music and art songs.

Two volumes of lovely new carols for SATB and Piano/Organ - a must-have for your christmas carols concerts. Written by Alan Taylor originally for the Chipperfield Choir resident choir at Chipperfield Church in Hertfordshire. Alan was a chorister at St. Catherine's College Cambridge and graduated with an honours degree in Music followed by a post-graduate Diploma in Education. A first post as a Head of Music in Nottinghamshire was followed by his appointment in 1961 as Director of Music at The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree where he spent the remaining 35 years of his teaching career. Out of school Alanworked with all the major conductors and his choirs were continually in demand for performances in the London concert halls especially at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden taking part in many broadcasts Promenade Concerts and recordings. His contribution to Music and Music Education was recognised in 1982 with the award of an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Christmas Carol Song begins as a slightly grand adaptation of American composer C B Hawley’s Christmas Cradle Song in a dotted 6/8 rhythm to which the Adeste Fideles is added. English Organist and composer Alfred Hollins was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Blind from birth Hollins was fortunate enough to attend the innovative Royal Normal College for the Blind outside London whose music-intensive curriculum suited his gifts. For more than forty years he was the Organist at the Free St George’s Church in Edinburgh and he travelled the English-speaking world repeatedly on concert tours.

Raising the curtain on Christopher Norton’s Micromusicals – exciting and accessible musicals for schools based on popular classroom teaching topics from the creator of the internationally-acclaimed Microjazz series. Designed for children aged 6-12 each production lasts around 30 minutes and can be learned rehearsed and performed in as little as 2 days.Stage a real class act with this comprehensive and flexible resource:* Succinct casting and direction suggestions * Optional props list with a wealth of additional downloadable resources * Straightforward and catchy songs with complete demonstration and backing tracks on an accompanying CD * Voice and piano scoreswith guitar chords * A wide range of flexible easy band and orchestral parts available to download which can be played in conjunction with the backing tracks or as part of an independent live orchestral or band * Photocopiable lyric sheets (also available as downloads for printing or projection) * Wide-ranging cross-curricular teaching and classroom activity suggestions * A customisable poster to publicise performances A Christmas Carol is an English literary classic written by Charles Dickens and was first published in December 1843. The popular novella is studied at Key Stage 2 and 3 as part of the National Curriculum in England as well as at schools and colleges elsewhere in the UK and around the world. In this new Micromusical adaption the abridged story is told through drama and song.TestimonialsThe micro-musicals have enriched our curriculum and have enabled the topics taught in class to come alive. Through the micro-musicals the children have gained a deeper and broader understanding of the curriculum and have developed a bank of rich language which has supported their writing outcomes. The micro-musicals have provided an excellent opportunity to teach music through all areas of the curriculum and we have been able to use music as a platform to learn history science geography and literature. They have been a good value for money and a valuable resource.-Bronwen Chalmers Head Teacher Davies Lane Primary School

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

Frank LaRocca's gorgeously sonorous setting of this important Latin text is appropriate for Advent or Christmas concerts making this an excellent choice for strong high school college community or church groups. Best for larger choirs. Duration: ca. 7:30.

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. Includes a performance CD recorded by the choir of ClareCollege Cambridge.