holiday

Balulalow
SATB a cappella, Mayfair Music (Leslie Music) VA-4028
A prize-winner in the Amadeus Choir Carol Competition full of lush, expressive harmonies. It has been performed and recorded by many international choirs. Selected as “Favourite of the Month”, December 2012, Musica international  See score  YouTube or YouTube

new release 2021 Becomes Bethlehem
SATB & piano, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48024798
This marvellous poetry is by award-winning Canadian poet, Wendy Jean MacLean, who also provided the fascinating text for Sirett’s “The Stars Point the Way” awarded “Outstanding Composition” from Choral Canada in 2010. It links together both sacred and secular images of the Christmas celebrations with eternal themes of peace, justice, wonder, hope, love…and home. See score & listen YouTube

Celtic Carol (Sweet was the Song)
SATB a cappella, Cypress Choral Music KH 012
A setting of the traditional medieval text “Sweet was the song, the song the virgin sang”. Warm sustained harmonies compliment the sentiment of this beautiful text. Contact the composer for ordering information. See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks

new release 2021 Christmas in Carrick
SATB fiddle or flute, spoons or bodhan, Cypress Choral Music CP1912
SSA Cypress Choral Music CP1921
TBB Cypress Choral Music CP1920
I lively Celtic celebration of Christmastime…Pass the punch around the table, Christmas comes but once a year!  See score & listen YouTube

new release 2022  The Clouded Heaven
SATB a cappella, Walton Music WW1867
This exquisite and gratifying a cappella work expresses a sudden clarity of purpose in life’s journey. It was commissioned by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, William Maddox, Organist and Music Director, and sung during their residency at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The universal search for enlightenment expressed in the text is appropriate any time of the year, but particularly Christmas and Epiphany.
See score & listen YouTube

Det finns en ros som renast är (There is no Rose)
SATB a cappella, Julkören by Notfabriken Music Publishers Sweden.  Although in Swedish, the publication include the English text as well. YouTube 

D’ou viens-tu, bergère?
SATB a cappella,  ‘An American Christmas’ ed. Jerry Rubino, Oxford University Press. An a cappella version of one of Canada’s best-loved Christmas carols.  Performed by Chanticleer for its 2018 Christmas tour See score Listen to Chanticleer: YouTube

Du förstår när han är här
SATB a cappella, Gehrmans Musickförlag SKG 10083
This is the Swedish version of “Thou shalt know Him” published by Augsburg/Fortress and Church Music Society.  See score YouTube or YouTube or YouTube 

Dormi Jesu
SATB a cappella, Boosey & Hawkes M051-47741-8
First Prize Winner of the 2005 Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto Carol Competition in the  a cappella division.  This lullaby-carol has elegant lines and sophisticated harmonies. Selected as “Favourite of the Month”, December 2012, Musica international.  See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks

Ecce concipies
SATB a cappella, Boosey & Hawkes 051-47974
This a cappella Advent motet, written for the Elora Singers, on the Latin text of the Annunciation, uses long, legato, intense lines to describe the birth of the baby Jesus. With divisi in all voice parts and full vocal ranges required from everyone, this lush setting is suitable for the very best college and professional choirs. See score & listen YouTube

new release 2023 Lo Conocerás Cuando Vieniere
SATB a cappella Augsburg Fortress 99798889831259
The Spanish version of the popular Advent/Christmas anthem, Thou Shalt Know Him See the score
YouTube

Love Came Down at Christmas
SATB & organ, Canadian International CIM1031
A simple and melodious setting of this classic text by Christina Rosetti. Easy and very effective.  See score

Make We Joy Now 
SATB, brass & organ, Jubilate Music Group 00-VA4031
A colourful and exciting setting of this traditional Christmas text provides interesting mixed metres and lively rhythms. The work can be performed with organ alone, or organ and brass. Another winner of the Amadeus Carol Competition. Exciting and rewarding.  See score

O Brillante Estrella 
SATB & piano, Boosey and Hawkes 48019887
Commissioned by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Noel Edison, conductor. An original composition on a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas nativity text, O Brillante Estrella is in the style of a villancico, a lively Spanish carol. Colorful harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and flamboyant accompaniment help to capture the Spanish and Latin American spirit of this engaging piece. Two instrumental versions are available from the composer a) fl, ob, vl, db and piano b) brass and organ. See score & listen  Listen to brass and organ version  YouTube

The Oxen
SATB & piano (or harp), ECS Publishing 6415
A setting of Thomas Hardy’s magnificent poem about the legend of the oxen kneeling in adoration at midnight on Christmas Eve. A strong, handsome tune is accompanied by a majestic piano part that can also be effectively performed by harp.  See score & listen ChoralTracks

Song of the Angels (Gloria)
SATB & percussion, Boosey & Hawkes, M051476596
A colourful sound-scape on the “Gloria” of the traditional Latin mass. Experimental effects found throughout are quite accessible and often supported by the tuned and untuned percussion instruments. Gregorian chant inspires the opening and concluding melodies. The work has received acclaim at various international festivals. See score & listen YouTube

Taladh Chriosda
SATB, piano & violin, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48024795
SSA, piano and violin, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48019991
This beautiful Gaelic carol, The Christ-child’s Lullaby, comes from the Scottish Isles. The tune, which is in the Mixolydian mode, has a medieval quality. The gently swaying rhythm captures the essence of Mary gently rocking the baby in her arms.  Fl, ob, vl, db and piano duet version available from the composer. Gaelic Pronunciation Guide See score & listen YouTube or YouTube

There Is No Rose 
SATB a cappella, Gordon V. Thompson (Alfred) VTS-4049
Although unavailable from Alfred, this is now available as ‘Det finns en ros som renast är’ (with English text included) in the Christmas collection  Julkören  Notfabriken Music Publishers  YouTube

Thou Shalt Know Him COLLECTION
SATB a cappella, Augsburg/Fortress Press 0-8006-5520-6
SATB a cappella, The Church Music Society (OUP 978-0-19-395397-0)
Du förstår när han är här (SATB a cappella Swedish) Gehrmans Musickförlag SKG 10083
Erkennen wirst ihn (SATB a cappella German) Augsburg/Fortress 9798889831242
Vous le saurez quand il vient (SATB a cappella French) Augsburg/Fortress 9798889831235
Lo conocerás cuando vieniere (SATB a cappella Spanish) Augsburg/Fortress 9798889831259

SSAA
a cappella Augsburg/Fortress Press 0800675304S
TTBB a cappella Augsburg/Fortress Press 9798889831228
A stunning text complimented by a soaring melody and expressive harmonies are found in this popular a cappella motet.  This work has been frequently recorded and broadcast by professional and amateur choirs worldwide including Vocalessence, the National Lutheran Choir and heard on CBC and NPR.  See score YouTube or YouTube or YouTube ChoralTracks

new release 2023 Vous Le Saurez Quand Il Vient
SATB a cappella, , SATB Augsburg Fortress 9798889831235
The French version of the popular Advent/Christmas anthem Thou Shalt Know Him See the score
YouTube

Waye Not His Cribb
SATB a cappella, Boosey & Hawkes, M051-47574-2
Winner of the Amadeus Choir Carol Competition, this work has also been performed by VocalEssence directed by Philip Brunelle. The expressive nativity text is by Renaissance English poet Richard Crashaw. The opening verse is set for alto or baritone solo and chorus. See score & listen YouTube

Welcome all Wonders
SATB a cappella, Augsburg Fortress Press
Commissioned by the Oriana Singers of Port Hope, this Christmas anthem is found in  The Augsburg Choirbook for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Augsburg Fortress Press  ISBN: 9780800678586.  See score

What Sweeter Music 
SATB a cappella, Augsburg Fortress Press 0800659287
This wonderful text by George Herbert has been set in rich harmonies that evoke the vivid imagery of the text. Especially good for more advanced church choirs, and for concert. See score & listen YouTube

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