Sacred SATB
Adam lay y-bounden
This setting of the medieval carol opens by evoking the bleakness of ‘four thousand winters’, then grows to a triumphant “Deo gracias” at the end. Also available for unaccompanied double choir.
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SATB and organ
Advent Introit:
I heard a voice
This opens with short, declamatory solos for baritone and tenor over hushed choral entries. With sparse harmonies and dancing rhythms in the middle section, this makes a dramatic start to an Advent carol service.
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Unaccompanied SATB
In manus tuas
Simple, but powerful setting in which plainsong-inspired lines alternate with block chords. If forces are too small for a semi-chorus, there is also a version for single choir with optional antiphonal singing. "Haunting, but with a beguiling simplicity" - Philip Moore.
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Sacred SATB
O clap your hands
For SATB with some splitting, this has catchy, syncopated rhythms swinging into 6/8 time and back again.
"Full of dramatic, exhilarating shifts of harmony" - BBC Music Magazine
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Sacred SATB
Preces and Responses
A setting for SATB with occasional splitting. Includes the Lord's Prayer.
"Very effective" - Music Web International
"A genuine revelation - refreshingly original" - North-East Post
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Sacred SATB
St Mark’s Mass
Sacred SATB
For SATB and organ, based on the plainsong Credo I. Linked by a common mode, each movement introduces new notes to enhance different tonal centres. Described as “inspiring and accessible” at its first performance in York Minster. "Deftly designed to be accessible to both professionals and accomplished amateurs" - Gramophone
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The Lord bless you and keep you
A short and simple setting. “A real gem”. “Really beautiful.”
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Unaccompanied SATB
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
A simple, but effective arrangement of the spiritual for SATB and organ/piano. Some parts are unaccompanied, with optional organ support if required.
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SATB and organ/piano
Secular
Fear no more the heat o’th’ sun
A setting of the song from Shakespeare’s Cymbeline with a fair amount of splitting, especially in the sopranos. In a gentle waltz style, this becomes more animated as it builds up to the dramatic final stanza.
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Unaccompanied SATB
O mistress mine
A light-hearted setting of Feste's song from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. In a tango style, it has moments for the baritone and alto to take centre stage and show off.
Unaccompanied ATBarB
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Over hill, over dale
Unaccompanied SSATB
A setting of the monologue from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a jive style. The basses set a driving pace for syncopated rhythms in the other voices in close harmony. Tricky but fun!
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The Swallow
In this setting of a poem by John Clare the narrator watches a swallow from their window and flies along with it in their imagination, across the countryside and then back home to roost. Swooping vocal lines represent the swallow’s flight, taking us low over ponds and whistling past trees. Shortlisted in the 2023 Voces8 Composition Competition.
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Upper voices/Small choir
Amazing Grace
3- or 4-part unaccompanied mixed choir
This arrangement can be adapted to suit the occasion or a choir’s capabilities. The 3/4 metre of the melody is retained as it blends with adapted versions of partner-songs O when the saints and Swing low, sweet chariot. A new bass line provides a lower layer for most of the verses until all voices sing in unison for a powerful final verse.
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Hail! Bright Cecilia
SSAA and organ
Commissioned in 2014 for the choir of Farnborough Hill School. Also available with an accompaniment for chamber orchestra.
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Hear my prayer
A reflective piece for two equal voice parts over a gently pulsing piano part. Mostly quiet and meditative, but with a more dramatic, pleading middle section.
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My God, accept my heart this day
An arrangement of the hymn by Robert Bridges to the tune Belmont. Easy to learn and popular with small church choirs.
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S A Men and organ/piano
O clap your hands
A lively piece with syncopated rhythms for two equal voice parts and piano. The final refrain has optional hand claps on the off-beats.
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O for a closer walk with God
S A Men and piano
An arrangement of the hymn by William Cowper to the Scottish Psalter tune Caithness. Rhythmically different to the SATB setting by Stanford, it has more of a folk music feel and is a useful option for a small choir, with a prominent part for the altos in verse 3.
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O sing joyfully
For a single voice part (with optional lower voice in places) and piano. In a lively waltz time, this swings its way through a paraphrase of psalm 81, with vivid word-painting for ‘sing loud’ and the various instruments. Winner of the Small Choirs Composing Competition 2012.
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Wexford Carol
SATB and organ/piano
A simple arrangement of the Irish carol, mostly in unison, sharing the melody between the parts. The fourth verse has the tune in the basses and sopranos, with gently rocking counter-melody for altos and tenors.
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