Choral Music
With works written for solo voices, duets, trios, unison and full 4-part (and more) harmony, you are bound to find something for your available singer(s) in this selection. Written mostly for the choir of All Saints Church Birchington, some of this music has been used as widely as the USA, Canada and Nigeria, as well as closer to home in various churches and cathedrals. (A number after the name indicates No. of pages. SATB / Accompanied unless otherwise stated.)
"Adam lay y'bounden" (2) and "Balulalow" (2), two unaccompanied carols, originally published by Fagus Music;
"Creator of the Starry Height" (4) is a hymn-anthem using three verses of the Advent hymn;
"Ave Maria" (2) - a three-part S,S,A version of Schubert's popular anthem;
The "Godalming Service" (6) originally three commissioned sections of the Common Worship Eucharist, recently updated to include the Kyries, Gloria, Sursum Corda, Sanctus, Benedictus, Acclamations and Agnus Dei (unison);
"In the bleak Midwinter" (4), a wholly-original tune & arrangement of Christina Rossetti's poem;
"Love Divine" (3) using three of the original verses, this is a popular wedding piece;
The "Magnificat" (2) is a paraphrased strophic setting (4 verses) for unison voices which was especially selected to be sung at the 2014 "Small Choirs' Festival" in London (unison);
"Pater Noster" (2) - an unaccompanied version of the Latin "Lord's Prayer";
*"Westgate Service" (7) originally just the Preces & Responses written for a neighbouring church, but now completed with Amens & the "Pater Noster" (available separately) these have been sung in both Rochester and Canterbury cathedrals (unacc.);
*The "Short Requiem" (21) sets seven sections of the Requiem Mass, some accompanied, some with solos / duets, mostly SATB, but up to seven parts (divisi) in places;
"Silent Night" (2) is a unison-voice arrangement with alternative harmony in the organ (and optional flute / violin) accompaniment;
"The Grace" (2), a Soprano / Alto duet, was written as I could not find any other setting;
The "Song of the Rood", for S,S,A / S,A,Men / Bass solo / Organ / Handbell lasts about 8 minutes and is, in effect, a musical mini mystery play based on an extract from the poem by Caedmon;
"They shall grow not old" (2) sets Binyon's famous words to music which references the "Last Post";
"Masters in this Hall" (3) is a lively setting of the traditional French carol. With complementary organ accompaniment, it is mostly unison, with options of a 5-part final "Nowell" or 3-part alternative.
"Three Blessings" (1/1/1 - all unacc.) were written a few years ago for three consecutive Evensong services. The "Prierre de St Columba" is available on CD from Amemptos Music (scroll down);
Two "Easter Anthems" (4/3) - "Jesus Christ is risen today" and "Jesus Lives" - the first one is particularly syncopated, but still flows once learned;
"Two Short Anthems" (2/2) use words from Psalm 96 "Cantate Domino" and the "Gloria in Excelsis Deo";
"Litany to the Holy Spirit" (2) sets four verses of the poem by Robert Herrick. In unison with accompaniment, variation can be made by using Men / Ladies / Solo / Full in any combination.
"Missa Brevis a tre voce" (12, unacc. S,A,Men) was instantly popular with my choir and congregation. Setting the Kyrie / Christe Eleison, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei, this can either be sung liturgically or straight through as an anthem or concert piece. (Credo also available);
"In Flanders' Fields" (2, unacc. S,A,Men) sets the well know poem of Lt. John McCrae. A sympathetic vehicle for the words, this is ideal for Remembrance or possibly funerals of ex-servicemen;
In musical response to the above, "We shall keep the faith" is a similar (3, unacc. S,A,Men) setting of Moina Michael's poem, inspired by McCrae's words. Ideal as a call and response or as something different for Remembrance;
For the feast of All Saints (or other saints' days) "O quam gloriosum" (3, unacc. S,A,Men) sets the very familiar words in a mostly contrapuntal style, all well within the range of the three voices;
"Five Collects" (2/2/2/2/2, unacc. S,A,Men) from the Anglican liturgy - two for Epiphany, one for the Easter season and two for Trinity.
N.B. - the above eight pieces are now published by Chichester Music Press - click the title to visit their site;
"Qui bibit dormi" (2, unacc.) is a spoof proverb which implies that a drinker will sleep, in which state he cannot sin and thus be holy. Ideal if you like your musical jokes in Latin;
"Let us, with a gladsome mind" (4) uses 5 verses from Milton's hymn set variously for Unison, SATB, SA & TB with a different link each time between the verses - including one reference to the usual hymn tune;
"Arabia's Magi sought him" and "Ubi est qui natus est" (1/2, S,A,Men unacc.) are two complementing anthems for the Epiphany season. Can be used individually or consecutively;
For Good Friday, a setting of words from Luke 23:42,43. In Latin throughout, "Domine, memento mei" (2, S,A,Men unacc.) has an optional plainchant before each half of the polyphonic anthem;
In similar style to the above, "Ne reminiscaris Domine" (2, unacc.) uses both the original Latin prayer for Passiontide (sung by the men / solo) and the English translation sung by the whole choir (S,A,Men). This title is now published by Cantica Nova Publications.
Four settings of verses from the Psalms (2, 2, 2, 2, unacc S,A,Men) can be used as introits, benedictions, Communion Anthems or in concert. Psalms 4, 6, 8 & 9 are set (so far) - "In pace in idipsum", "Miserere mei Domine", "Domine Dominus noster" & "Confitebor tibi Domini" are likely to be joined by more soon.
Taking inspiration from the early Liturgical Dramas, "Quem quaeritis" (3) is a dialogue between the angels and the three Marys at the tomb on Easter morning. With slight poetic licence, the ladies (SSAA) sing the part of the angels & the men (TBarB) that of the humans. This ends on a 3-octave ascending scale, depicting the resurrection in music.
"The Birchington Service" (9, unacc. S,A,Men) includes the Preces and Responses, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis and Amens. Written for the farewell service of a previous Vicar, it was very well received, sounding a lot more difficult than it really is - so your choristers will thank you!
"O be joyful in the Lord" (5) sets the first few verses of Psalm 100 as a dialogue between the organ & voices. SATB, but ending SSAATTBB.
Finally, for now, "You are the peace of all things calm" (2, S,A or 3, S,A,Men) sets some anonymous 1st Century words to a lilting tune with a simple organ (preferably) or piano accompaniment.
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As 2019 seems to be a productive year so far, there may well be more available than indicated here, so please follow the links above (for formally published items) or below to SMP for the full list.
*Please see the Media page for recordings. More will be added as they are made.
As with the organ music, these titles (unless otherwise specified) are available via Sheet Music Plus