SKU: A0.1142452

Vocal or C instrument descant for the Christmas hymn’s “O Little Town of Bethlehem� alternate FOREST GREEN tune adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Melody with stanzas 2 and 4 text are included. 1 page (file is 2 pages; first is sample page). Could also use this as a C instrument descant on Stephen P. Starke's hymn “O Sing of Christ,� which uses the FOREST GREEN tune. Use hymnal or other source for accompaniment. Descant fits traditional Ralph Vaughan Williams setting (as in Lutheran Worship, Lutheran Service Book, others). Options for use: 1) Vocal descant for stanza 2 or 4 2) C instrument descant for any stanza 3) Alternate 2-part choir hymn stanza 2 within the more traditional “ST. LOUIS� tune 4) Combination of choir and instrument hymn stanza.

SKU: A0.1477258

A hymn concertato arrangement of the last verse of this popular Christmas hymn, for descant sopranos, brass quintet and organ. There is an optional two bar link before the verse begins at bar 3. The fifteen page download includes a one page soprano descant score, five individual brass parts and a two page organ score. The brass quintet parts are more advanced in difficulty level, the soprano descant and organ parts are intermediate in difficulty level. The descant is new and fresh, and the harmonies used to support it are closely related to the familiar harmonization by Mendelssohn. The trumpet parts in particular are fanfare-like while the lower three instruments support the hymn tune and harmony. (See also my arrangement of this hymn verse for soprano descant, trumpet & organ).

SKU: A0.796336

Melody and descant for C instrument: flute, recorder, oboe, or violin. Key of C major. 1 page. (File is 2 pages; first page is sample page only).  Flute may want to play up an octave.  Tune: WEIL ICH JESU SCHAFLEIN BIN.  Use hymnal or other source for accompaniment.  Descant fits both Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Service Book hymn settings (easily adaptable to LW's notation), may also fit other settings.  Uses:  Easter season, Good Shepherd Sunday, children's music.  Descant for Bb Clarinet and a version for 2 octave handbells also available separately.

SKU: A0.796325

Handbells introduction and descant for the Thanksgiving hymn Come, You Thankful People, Come (TUNE: ST. GEORGE'S, WINDSOR). 1 page each.  (4 total pages; first two are sample pages only.) Use this for a smaller handbell group to introduce the hymn, then have the bells play the descant for stanza 4.

Introduction: 3 octaves, 12 bells used.

Descant: 3 octaves, 14 bells used.  Some ringers can keep the same bells as in the introduction; some can switch during singing of other stanzas.  Use hymnal or other source for accompaniment.  Descant fits Lutheran Worship, Lutheran Book of Worship, and Lutheran Service Book.  May also fit other settings.  

Same tune is also used for the Epiphany hymn Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.  .

SKU: A0.796340

Melody and Descant for Trumpet in Bb. For concert key of C major. 2 pages; 2nd page includes descant with melody and stanza 4 text for reference. (Note file contains 4 pages as first 2 are sample pages only.)

Tune: EIN FESTE BURG by Martin Luther. This is the RHYTHMIC version (closer to Luther's original).  Ideal for Reformation.

Use hymnal or other source for accompaniment. Descant fits Lutheran Service Book (LSB) and The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) accompaniments, may fit others. **Note different measuring.

SKU: A0.796327

Melody and descant for violin on the Christmas hymn Silent Night, Holy Night. [Tune:  STILLE NACHT].  4 pages included: Melody & descant; descant with melody for reference, and bonus pages include the hymn accompaniment with the descant.  (File is 8 pages; first 4 pages are sample pages.).

SKU: A0.1477297

The final verse of this popular Christmas hymn arranged for soprano descant, trumpet in Bb and organ. This new and fresh descant is supported by the organ, with the trumpet providing fanfare-like counter melodies. The trumpet part is more advanced, the soprano descant and organ parts are intermediate level. The full score download includes a one-page choral score, one-page trumpet score and a two-page organ score. (See also my arrangement of this hymn verse for descant, brass quintet and organ).

SKU: A0.1475880

This concertato arrangement of the 3rd and 4th verse offers a new descant for verse three as well as a brass quintet accompaniment for the final verse. This makes it an ideal arrangement for Christmas Day. The third verse allows the sopranos to sing a new and fresh descant while the congregation and ATB members of the choir sing in unison, accompanied by the organ and 1st trumpet.  A short two-bar link passage allows the music to modulate up a key to A flat major. Congregation and choir in unison accompanied by brass quintet and organ: Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning. The seventeen page score downloads with five individual brass parts, a two page organ score and one page soprano descant score attached. (See also my arrangement of these two verses for soprano descant, trumpet & organ).

SKU: A0.591721

Sandcastles is a beautiful new and original composition by David McKeown arranged for two Descant Recorders.

Sandcastles is one of a set of 10 Summer-themed duets. All 10 can be found together in 10 Easy Summer Duets for Descant Recorder. Just copy and paste the title in the search box above to find it.

Sandcastles can be played at any time of year, in the Summer to celebrate the season, or in the Winter, to remind yourself of warmer days! The duet is mixed ability, with the top part set for players at an easy to early intermediate standard, and the bottom part to be played by a teacher or intermediate player. Playing time is around one minute; click on the link above to hear a full performance of the clarinet version on YouTube.

Sandcastles is

• Perfect for concert performances large and small;
• Fully articulated to help develop that sense of style;  
• Great for helping with simple rhythms and keeping the pulse;
• Road tested with students;
• Fun to play;
• The titles provoke mental pictures that connect with the player’s musical imagination;

There are thousands more duets available for all standards and styles, in many different instrumental combinations at https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/david-mckeown/6203