Festival Voices – serie

for SATB and pianoA favorite text and tune of singers and listeners alike, this festival hymn is given new life in this lively and upbeat 7/8 setting. The central section is legato and chorale-like, making for a beautiful contrast, before a slow build with 'Alleluias' returns us to a reprise of the original flavour, creating an exciting and powerful ending.

for SATB and pianoThis lively and upbeat anthem sets a text by the composer based on a passage from Thessalonians. The opening and closing sections feature a catchy melody and recurring syncopated figure in the piano, enclosing a more subdued middle section. Simply yet effectively scored and highly accessible in style, this anthem makes a dynamic addition to a service or concert.

for SATB and organ or pianoHow excellent is an upbeat and celebratory work setting the composer's own paraphrase of Psalm 8. It features exciting and declamatory opening and closing sections with a contrastingly calm and legato central section, evoking this well-known scriptural text. The accompaniment should ideally be played on organ, but piano may be used if necessary.

for SATB and pianoA dramatic and characterful presentation of Psalm 68 for mixed voices and piano that is rich in colour and changes of tempo and style.

for SATB and pianoWith a text by the composer, this declamatory Christmas piece provides a fresh take on the nativity story. The cacophony of choral sound in the polyphonic middle section is akin perhaps to the angelic announcement of Jesus's birth, leading to an emphatic closing proclamation 'Gloria! in excelsis Deo!'.

for SATB (with divisions) and pianoBenjamin Harlan's spirited arrangement of the French carol Angels we have heard on high has an energetic drive, a sparkling piano part, and a joyful refrain. Its sprightly 7/8 metre brings a fresh take to this perennial favourite.

for SATB (with divisions) and pianoThis dramatic and majestic anthem sets verses from Isaiah, starting with an appeal to God to show himself and his power, followed by an admission of human sin, finishing with an affirmation that we are all God's people. The choral parts are largely homophonic, except for an effective unaccompanied fugal central section, and optional high soprano notes are included towards the end for added dramatic effect. The piano part makes full use of the instrument's range and features vibrant scalic and arpeggiated flourishes, tremolos, and rhythmic, accented chords.

for SATB unaccompaniedThis setting of a tune from The Sacred Harp is strong and march-like, with accented rhythms and percussive vocal lines contributing to a rousing overall effect. It was originally published as part of Mack Wilberg Anthems and is also available in a version for TTBB unaccompanied.

for SATB (with divisions) and pianoThis joyous setting of Psalm 145 is an emphatic statement of praise. Homophonic rhythms unite the singers in their presentation of the text, while a sprightly piano accompaniment drives the music forward and leads into explorations of different tonalities.