The Oxford Book of Flexible Choral Songs

Alan Bullard was born in London and studied with Herbert Howells at the Royal College of Music, and at Nottingham University. He enjoyed a successful career in music education; for many years he was Head of Composition at Colchester Institute, and is currently an examiner for ABRSM. He now devotes most of his time to composing, editing, and arranging. His music unfailingly appeals to both performers and audiences; he has written for all kinds of choirs, and instrumental works for a variety of ensembles and orchestras. Alan is a respected writer of music for examination syllabuses and educational albums. His major publications include the four inspirational Oxford Flexible Choral Anthologies, Alan Bullard Anthems, and the five cantatas Wondrous Cross, O Come Emmanuel, A Light in the Stable, Psalmi Penitentiales, and Images of Peace. He and his wife Janet also write the Pianoworks series for the older beginner.

This very finely produced volume ought to form a staple in the libraries and repertoires of all self-respecting choirs and choral societies. Indeed, such is the quality of the wide-ranging selection, the practicalities of the editing and aids to performance, and the presentation throughout that one can but agree with the publisher's claim that the volume offers the perfect resource for secular choirs and singing groups, providing the flexibility to perform songs in a range of combinations from unison to SATB . . . All-in-all, this is a terrific volume that all choir-masters (and their librarians) should acquire without delay.