Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo is an emerging star in the realm of choral works, and also with music for wind band. Similar to his earlier band works Meridian and The Spheres, Serenity is based on a successful choral work. Beautifully arranged by J. Eric Wilson along with the composer, this version for wind band maintains all the wonder and magic of the original work. The opening is ethereal and so…

Par PORTER COLE. Written by Cole Porter, I’ve Got You Under My Skin became a signature song for Frank Sinatra and was one of his most requested songs at concerts. In 1966, the song became a top ten hit for the Four Seasons and has also been covered by countless others since. A key piece to include in any programme celebrating the Great American Songbook. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Sin…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The poignant words of The Last Rose Of Summer, by Thomas Moore, match this Irish song’s mournful, drooping melody. After a temporarily uplifting modulation for the third verse, where the men of the choir echo the melody two measures behind, the arrangement ends as it began – in a solitary mood, with an empty, bare fifth. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Sing…

Par KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). This is a vibrant and accessible arrangement of All I care about, from the Broadway hit Chicago! With opportunities for whistling, staging and lyrics full of double meanings, this will add a bit of spice to your concert programme. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity o…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Danny Boy (the melody of which is also known as Londonderry Air), is often assumed to be an old, traditional tune, however its structure and meter do not fit any of the known Irish folksong forms. As for the words most commonly associated with it for the last hundred years or so, they were written by an English lawyer who apparently never set foot in Ireland! Still…

The struggle and suffering described in spirituals go hand in hand with an overwhelming sense of hope for a better life. Deep River is one of the most popular spirituals; its long-phrase melody calls for sustained breath control and a real sense of shape. Much contrast can be made between the first and second sections of the melody, and enjoy the more adventurous harmony around the words ‘where al…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). English song in the first half of the twentieth century was largely defined by the wonderful output of Roger Quilter and Gerald Finzi, both of whom delighted in setting fine poetry by Wordsworth, Shakespeare and others. She Walks in Beauty was inspired by these two composers, with a particularly musically evocative and colourful text by Byron and a glorious new mel…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Afton Water is a gentle, lyrical hymn of praise both to the countryside of Scotland itself and to a girl called Mary who lies sleeping by the banks of the river Afton near Ayr, south of Glasgow. Alexander L’Estrange’s arrangement is both enjoyable and approachable whilst being true to the spirit of the original song. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles …

Par KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). Chicago! is perhaps the greatest and bestloved creation of writing team John Kander and Fred Ebb. In We both reached for the gun, Roxie is accused of killing her violent lover and Flynn’s argument is that they both ‘reached for the gun’ at the same time – Roxie had no choice but to kill him, or she would have died. In the staging, Roxie is portrayed as Billy…

Par FORBES L'ESTRANGE JOANNA (Arr.). Wade in the Water is a lively and infectious spiritual. Its features include a call-and-response texture, jazz ‘scat’ vocalization and finger clicks on beats 2 and 4 of the measure. This arrangement by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange remains true to the spirit of Eva Cassidy’s well-loved version, adapting the instrumental improvisation on the recording to create a fun…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The Skye Boat Song is perhaps one of the best-known Scottish melodies of all. It refers to the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie who, still only a boy, was smuggled out of Scotland to France after the Scots’ defeat by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1745. Despite there being a huge reward on his head, not one of his faithful Highlanders would betray him to th…

For Orchestra. Par MADNI ASH. BENEATH CALM WATERS is a cinematic tone poem evoking the scene of a gigantic sea creature rising from the depths below to wreak havoc on an ill-fated cruise ship passing through its domain. Below the French horns performing the main melody, the violins and violas play harmonics, while the cello and double bass tremolos mimic the rise of the giganteum from a distance w…

Par MIRANDA LIN-MANUEL. It was really fun to make an arrangement on these three great melodies from Encanto! Here, the band will be able to work with latin rhythms, syncopation (which doesn't rush) and with possible solo elements on the melody. Use your imagination and feel free to re-arrange to let your musicians shine. (Example: bar 27 and onwards can be performed as a duet) All three songs can …

Par MARSH LIN. A volume of five songs on a spooky theme, written especially for young singers by the talented Lin Marsh. These songs, with piano accompaniment are ideal for class singing, concerts, music examinations and festivals. There is also some simple part-singing. Songs by Lin Marsh have been heavily selected on the new ABRSM singing syllabus, including 'Something Spooky' (grade 2) and &lsq…

lyric. The OperAria repertoire collection for all voice genres that was successfully launched last year has produced lyrical soprano progeny: From Adele to Zerbinetta, from Pamina to Mimi and Ellen Orford - the first two (of altogether four) soprano volumes contain a representative sampling of important arias from the multifaceted lyrical repertoire. Classical audition arias can be found there, ju…