This setting of the 98th Psalm (Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.) comes originally from my cantata “The Manchester Magnificat”, based on Audrey Vaughan’s Poems about the religious and social history of the city. The oratorio was...  onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreone;">This setting of the 98th Psalm (Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.) comes originally from my cantata “The Manchester Magnificat”, based on Audrey Vaughan’s Poems about the religious and social history of the city. The oratorio was first performed in Manchester Cathedral in 1994. This psalm forms the climax of the whole cantata and provides an expression of optimism after the tragedies of the previous sections. In this “extracted” version, the tragic surroundings of the history remain in the background and the purebubbling joy of the psalm itself shines forth. Enjoy the complex rhythms and let your hair down! This performance by Daniel Shaw's Composer's Choir (based in Connecticut) is a brilliant rendition of the piece and will, I hope, encourage other church choirs and concert choirs to consider including it in their repertoire.  onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

Cape Town Youth Choir (formerly Pro Cantu): "Ave Verum Corpus" Conductor: Leon Starker Composer: William Byrd (1540-1623) Performed at Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium, Cape Town (16th July 2013) in a joint concert with the Whiffenpoofs of Yale Ave Verum...  onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreone;">Cape Town Youth Choir (formerly Pro Cantu): "Ave Verum Corpus" Conductor: Leon Starker Composer: William Byrd (1540-1623) Performed at Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium, Cape Town (16th July 2013) in a joint concert with the Whiffenpoofs of Yale Ave Verum Corpus William Byrd (1540-1623) Renaissance Motet An English composer of the Renaissance period, William Byrd was a student of Thomas Tallis and wrote many works both sacred and secular in the common forms in England at the time. Byrd's Ave Verum Corpus appeared in his Gradualia, two volumes of liturgical polyphony published in 1605 and 1607. Primarily devoted to use within the major feasts of the church calendar, some of the included items in the 1605 volume do not belong to the main sphere of works. The Ave Verum Corpus is one of these. It is a popular work of Byrd's, utilising the well-known Latin text of the Eucharistic hymn. Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine, vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine, cuius latus perforatum fluxit aqua...    onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

Anonymous catch in 4 equal voices based on peals of bells from "The Catch Club or Merry Companions", published in 1731. I have added some lower voices at the octave for better resonance.

Vocal Ensemble Quadrivia and friends Aleksandar Alić -flute and percussion Andrej Kukuruzar - violin Milan Blanuša - guitar

We take pleasure in singing Songs of joy, struggle, liberation, celebration and peace from around the world. We are a mainly secular, community choir where everyone is welcome. No audition. No need to read music (unless you want to). We're a friendly bun...  onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreone;">We take pleasure in singing Songs of joy, struggle, liberation, celebration and peace from around the world. We are a mainly secular, community choir where everyone is welcome. No audition. No need to read music (unless you want to). We're a friendly bunch - why not come along and give us a go?  

This is an a cappella arrangement of the tune Stowey, which is a traditional English folksong often paired with these words by Frances Chesterton: How far is it to Bethlehem, not very far? Shall we find the stable room lit by a star? Can we see the l...  onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreone;">This is an a cappella arrangement of the tune Stowey, which is a traditional English folksong often paired with these words by Frances Chesterton: How far is it to Bethlehem, not very far? Shall we find the stable room lit by a star? Can we see the little child, is He within? If we lift the wooden latch, may we go in? May we stroke the creatures there, ox, ass or sheep? May we peek like them and see Jesus asleep? If we touch His tiny hand, will He awake? Will He know we've come so far just for His sake? Great Kings have precious gifts and we have nought Little smiles and little tears are all we have brought. for all weary children Mary must weep Here, on His bed of straw, sleep, children, sleep. God in his mother's arms, babes in the byre Sleep as they sleep who find their heart's desire.  onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

Another great gift idea for the singer in your life - 5 beautiful Songs suitable for any solo voice! Our music is available worldwide from any manner of sources, but if you order 'Songs from the British Isles, Vol 1' via this link, then we will giftwrap...

The 2012 New Boy group performing Shake the Papaya Down during their first performance on Wednesday 15 February 2012.

Trois Chansons - Poems by Charles Duc D'Orléans music by Claude Debussy Performed (transposed) by the one-man multitrack choir dwsChorale

[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of Songs from traditions across th...