Drop, drop, slow tears

Scoring: SATB choir and organ
Date: 2021 (updated 2023)
Five (now seven!) years on from the original version of my "Drop, drop, slow tears" (see below), here is a major revision of the piece adding an important organ part and expanding the whole piece slightly. I am hoping it now has added drama! 

With thanks to members of the Morley College Composition Workshop, and especially to Dr Paul Sarcich, for their input and ideas on this piece.
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Or see it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pBaWpNsaUYw

  

Scoring: SATB choir a cappella
Date: 2016
A short setting of the classic words of the Jacobean poet Phineas Fletcher. This passionate poem expresses heartfelt regret and penitential remorse for sin. It was most famously set to music as a hymn by Orlando Gibbons and more recently as an anthem by William Walton. This new anthem for SATB choir tries to capture in a more modern way the drama and depth of the words, while retaining a simplicity that enables it to be sung by a church choir. It is particularly suitable for Holy Week services or more generally in Advent and Lent. It might also be sung at Remembrance services.
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Words:

Drop, drop, slow tears,

And bathe those beauteous feet
Which brought from Heaven
The news and Prince of Peace.

Cease not, wet eyes,
His mercy to entreat;
To cry for vengeance
Sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods
Drown all my faults and fears;
Nor let His eye
See sin, but through my tears.

Agnus Dei (Samuel Webbe)

Scoring: SAB choir and organ

Date: 2023

The "Agnus Dei" ("Lamb of God") by Samuel Webbe (1740-1816) is here rearranged for 3-part choir and organ.

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Words:

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona mobic pacem

(Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.)

Alleluia Round (Boyce)

Scoring: Mixed voices and organ

Date: 2023

Here is a round by William Boyce (1710-1779) arranged with a simple organ accompaniment. It can be sung almost any way you like, as long as it is joyful!

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

How beautiful upon the mountains (Stainer)

Scoring: SABar choir and organ

Date: 2023

A simple reduction of John Stainer's "How beautiful upon the mountains" from SATB and organ to SABar and organ, to make it more accessible particularly to church choirs with few tenors and basses. 

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Words (from Isaiah 52:7):

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him

that bringeth good tidings,

that publisheth peace;

that saith unto Zion,

Thy God reigneth!

In Dulci Jubilo

Scoring: SABar choir and organ
Date: 2019 (updated 2022)
An arrangement of the wonderful old German carol "In Dulci Jubilo" made popular in an English version by R.L. Pearsall (1795-1856), mixing English and Latin words, for 8-part choir and organ. Here I have reduced the parts to three (soprano, alto, baritone) so that it can be sung by choirs for whom 8 parts is too ambitious! Perhaps surprisingly, the carol retains much of its interesting counterpoint and tuneful lyricism; I hope both singers and listeners will enjoy it equally.

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Words:

1. In dulci jubilo
Let us our homage shew:
Our heart's joy reclineth
In praesepio;
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio,
Alpha es et O!

2. O Jesu parvule,
I yearn for thee alway!
Hear me, I beseech Thee,
O puer optime;
My prayer let it reach Thee,
O princeps gloriae.
Trahe me post te.

3. O patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stained.
Per nostra crimina:
But Thou for us hast gained
Coelorum gaudia,
O that we were there!

4. Ubi sunt gaudia,
Where, if that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantica;
There the bells are ringing
In Regis curia.
O that we were there!

March of the Kings (Bizet)

Scoring: SABar choir and organ

Date: 2022

An arrangement of a thirteenth century French Christmas carol from Provence harmonized by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-87, attrib.) and, more famously, by Georges Bizet (1838-75, in his L'Arlesienne Suite of 1872). In France the melody is still tightly associated with Christmas, and French audiences start singing their own Christmas words whenever they hear the melody (I have heard them!) The English translation used here is adapted from a variety of sources. The three kings (or more precisely the "magi" from St Matthew's gospel) are seen marching towards Bethlehem with their fantastic golden wealth and grandeur. But why are they going to see a low-born baby and why do they worship this child who will die on a cross?
The organ sets the scene from the beginning with its marching accompaniment, and the first verse is sung in unison by all three parts. The second begins with a canon, as used by Bizet, and then breaks into harmony. The first section of the third verse is much quieter and legato, sung by the sopranos and altos, using wonderful chromatic harmonies based on another section from Bizet's suite. The lyrics express wonder at the beautiful music heard from the camp of the kings. The second section, sung in differentiated unison then begins to wonder why the kings "stoop so low to a baby in a manger". Finally the fourth verse, sung in full harmony, returns to the marching accompaniment and reiterates the amazement of meeting these kings with their mysterious mission.

Files: pdf  - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

God be in my head (Walford Davies)

Scoring: SABar Choir and organ

Date: 2022

An arrangement of a very simple and well-loved anthem by H Walford Davies (1869-1941) for three-part choir and organ. The original was written for SATB choir. As the original is very short, the whole anthem is repeated, but shifted up a minor third, from the original key of A major to C major. This gives a much brighter and more passionate rendition the second time, and encourages a more fulsome climax on "God be in my heart and in my thinking" before returning to a pianissimo "God be at mine end, and at my departing."

Files: pdf  - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Christ the Lord is risen again (descant)

 Scoring: Soprano descant, unison choir, and organ

Date: 2022

A descant written to supplement the last verse (v.4) of Anthony Foster's "Christ the Lord is risen again" from The New Oxford Easy Anthem Book, OUP 2002, p.39.

The original Easter hymn/anthem itself is lovely: very straightforward for the top line, with interesting simple harmonies for altos, tenors and basses. This descant, with its organ accompaniment incorporating some extended harmonies, was written to give some added interest for the sopranos to sing (as well as providing more variation for listeners!) The rest of the choir are to sing the main melody in this verse.

The words are by Michael Weisse (c.1480-c.1530), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-78).

Links: pdf - pdf (part) - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

The cold winds are blowing (Ave Maria)

VERSION 1: 

Scoring: SATB choir and organ

Date: 2021

Words: Christian W J Catsanos

This carol is the result of a kind commission by Christian Catsanos (Australia) to set the words of a Christmas poem of his own. It has three verses with a repeated refrain, and a straightforward meter. 
To create interest the verse and refrain are set in different time signatures: 3/4 and 6/8. Verses are in a modal minor key, while the lilting refrain begins and ends in the relative major. The organ part is used to provide support for the choir and plenty of musical colour, especially in the arpeggiated accompaniments which characterize two of the three refrains. Harmonies are rich, allowing plenty of opportunity for the composer to vary the presentation of each section. The piece definitely has the feel of Christmas!

At present there are two versions of the piece: SATB/organ and a hymn-style single sheet (see below.)

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

VERSION 2: 

Scoring: Hymn sheet

Date: 2021

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Words:

1. The cold winds are blowing, the stars shine so bright,
The angels are singing on this holy night;
A beautiful mother, so gentle and mild,
Now lays in a manger her heavenly Child.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Jesus thy Child is the hope of the earth.
Sancta Maria, Sancta Maria,
Sing we in chorus the joy of His birth.

2. A manger His cradle, the beasts pressing round,
In Him is no glory, no majesty found;
Yet Mary his Mother, so tender with bliss,
Adores her sweet Saviour and gives him a kiss.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Jesus thy Child is the hope of the earth.
Sancta Maria, Sancta Maria,
Sing we in chorus the joy of His birth.

3. His courtiers are shepherds and sages so wise,
Who found Him by starlight they saw in the skies;
Their gifts are so rare, yet His Mother most mild
Sees no greater treasure than Jesus her Child.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Jesus thy Child is the hope of the earth.
Sancta Maria, Sancta Maria,
Sing we in chorus the joy of His birth. 

by Christian W J Catsanos, 2021

Pie Jesu (Fauré)

Scoring: SABar choir and organ

Date: 2017 (revised 2021)

The beautiful "Pie Jesu" by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) is scored for solo soprano/treble and orchestra or organ. This arrangement for choir (with just one lower part) and organ aims to make it more accessible to choirs, while keeping its sublime simplicity. Taken from Fauré's Requiem, it could perhaps be used in churches at funerals and memorial services.

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Words:

Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem sempiternam. (English translation from the Latin: Sweet Lord Jesus, Grant them everlasting rest.)

Hail, Gladdening Light

An evening hymn of confidence and faith in the Son of God

Scoring: SATB choir and organ

Words: Phos hilarion (3rd century [or earlier] Greek hymn), based on the translation by John Keble (1792-1866)

Date: 2020

This ancient hymn is about "gladdening light", in particular the light of Jesus Christ who comes from God the Father into our dark world. It is intended to be sung in the evening. What is unusual about the hymn is the position of its doxology ("Father, Son and Holy Ghost") in the middle of the hymn, rather than after the last verse, as is common in most settings of psalms, canticles and many hymns from the last 200 years. This enables it to retain a biblical freshness, in which the Son of God is the main focus of attention, with theological reflection secondary to the primary reality that he is the "giver of life".

The musical setting is here based around a major seventh chord, and it uses deliberately chromatic harmonies, both of which illustrate the words with sparkle and colour. The first verse is sung by soprano and alto soloists, and its words are then repeated by the whole choir a cappella. After a shortened, quiet second verse, with its reflective doxology, the organ performs a brief, noisy and celebratory cadenza, before launching into the final verse with the full choir in exuberant praise. The anthem ends, as it started, with the phrase "gladdening Light" extending as if to the furthest ends of the world.

Links:  pdf (score)  - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Words:

1.

Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured

from the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2.

Now we are come the sun's hour of rest,

the lights of evening round us shine,

we hymn the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

3.

Worthiest art Thou at all times to be sung

with undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life:

in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Seal Communion Setting

Scoring: SATB choir and organ
Date: 2014 (latest revision: 2018)
These eight short pieces (updated and extended, August 2018) are settings of the Church of England's "Common Worship" Communion Service. They are designed to be easy to sing, but interestingly different from each other. The congregation, accompanied by organ (or other keyboard instrument), sings the top line of each setting, with an optional SATB choir providing harmonic interest in various forms. The "Lord, have mercy" has a quiet second line forming a kind of angelic echo. In the "Doxology" the congregation and choir are encouraged to sing the first few bars as a two-part round before continuing into the "Amen" section. 
Links: Full Communion Setting: choir pdf, congregation pdf
Lord have mercy: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Glory to God in the highest: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Holy, holy, holy Lord: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Christ has died: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Great Amen & Doxology: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Lamb of God: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Lamb of God (Advent/Lent): pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Words:
1.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

2. 
Glory to God in the highest, 
and peace to his people on earth. 
Lord God, heavenly King, 
almighty God and Father, 
we worship you, we give you thanks, 
we praise you for your glory. 
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, 
Lord God, Lamb of God, 
you take away the sin of the world: 
have mercy on us; 
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: 
receive our prayer. 
For you alone are the Holy One, 
you alone are the Lord, 
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, 
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. 
Amen. 

3. 
Holy, holy, holy Lord, 
God of power and might, 
heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
in the highest. 
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest. 

4. 
Christ has died. 
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again.

5.
Amen.

6.
Blessing and honour and glory and power
Be yours for ever and ever.
Amen. 

7. 
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. 
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. 
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. 

Seal RC Mass Setting

Scoring: SATB choir and organ
Date: 2015 (revised 2017)

A new setting of the Roman Catholic Mass in English using the words of the Roman Missal published in 2010. This ecumenical offering from Seal Church is composed because of the composer's strong ties with, and ongoing affection for, the RC community in the UK. At least half of the music is adapted from the composer's "Seal Communion Setting" (also available on SMP) for the Church of England parish near Sevenoaks in the UK. It consists of six short settings, each with its own distinctive character within the whole of the Mass:

1. Lord have mercy, 2. Glory to God, 3. Holy, holy, holy, 4. We proclaim your death, 5. Great Amen, 6. Lamb of God

Although several of these are written for SATB choir, their use is intended to be flexible, with the congregation singing the main melody or soprano line, while a choir may join in with as many of the other lines are feel able to produce!

Links: choir pdf, congregation pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Rorate Coeli

Scoring: SATB choir and organ

Date: 2017

This setting of the traditional Advent plainchant is based around a harmonized refrain using the original Latin words: "Rorate coeli de super et nubes pluant justum" ("Drop down, O heavens, from above and let the skies pour down *justice".) The music and the words express the Advent theme of a cry for justice and salvation in the midst of despair. The traditional verses making up the Advent Prose, based on various parts of scripture, are sung in English unison plainchant, and they express the feelings of one living through a disaster (specifically the fall of Jerusalem in the sixth century BC.) The third and fourth stanzas become more hopeful in their words, especially the famous words (from Isaiah 40) "Comfort, O comfort my people," Here the setting introduces some gentle harmonization, leading to a final return of the "Rorate" chorus in unison and a harmonized hope-filled coda. 

Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Words:

Rorate coeli de super et nubes pluant justum

1.
Turn your fierce anger from us, O Lord,
and remember not our sins for ever.
Your holy cities have become a desert,
Zion a wilderness,
Jerusalem a desolation;
our holy and beautiful house,
where our ancestors praised you.

2.
We have sinned and become like one who is unclean;
we have all withered like a leaf,
and our iniquities like the wind have swept us away.
You have hidden your face from us,
and abandoned us to our iniquities.

3.
You are my witnesses, says the Lord,
and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know me and believe me.
I myself am the Lord,
and none but I can deliver;
what my hand holds, none can snatch away.

4.
Comfort, O comfort my people,
my salvation shall not be delayed.
I have swept your offences away like a cloud;
fear not for I will save you.
I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,your redeemer.

Nunc Dimittis (3 versions)

1) Scoring: SATB choir and organ
Date: 2016 (revised 2018)
The "Nunc Dimittis" is sung at every choral Evensong or Vespers, with the words of the prophet Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) on seeing the child Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem. Here the canticle is set in English ("Lord, now your servant depart in peace") for SATB choir and organ. 
It has a grand opening in D minor ("My eyes have seen your light"), followed by the main canticle text set in a rich D flat major tune. The opening theme returns towards the end, and the piece finishes with a glorious "Glory be to the Father... Amen." 
The canticle would also be particularly appropriate at Candlemas celebrations, as well as at services expressing "letting go..."
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

2) Scoring: SSA choir and organ
Date: 2016 (revised 2018)
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

For a lovely, live rendition of the SSA version sung by the Ladies of Eglantine see https://youtu.be/EPbR178t0vU?si=gG2QWZVqQioMnkLx

3) Scoring: Mixed voices and organ (simplified version)
Date: 2023
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Words:

My eyes, O Lord, have seen your light.

Lord now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your word,
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

Lord now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your word,
A light to reveal you to the nations,
and to be the glory of Israel your people.

My eyes, O Lord, have seen your light.
The light of your salvation reveals you to the nations.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.

My eyes, O Lord, have seen your light.

Amen.

Based on translations from the Church of England's "Book of Common Prayer" and "Common Worship"

Magnificat (2 versions)

Version 1 scoring: SATB choir and organ
Date: 2016
A setting of the Magnificat Canticle from Luke 1:46-55 using verses by David Mowbray from the Church of England resource "Common Worship" *
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

YouTube video scores for practice:
Full version
Soprano and Alto
Tenor and Bass

Version 2 scoring: SSA choir and organ
Date: 2016
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

YouTube video scores for practice:
Full version
Soprano
Alto

For a lovely, live rendition of the SSA version sung by the Ladies of Eglantine see https://youtu.be/EPbR178t0vU?si=gG2QWZVqQioMnkLx

And another (October 2024):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RXNOVvYaZA

Words:

With Mary let my soul rejoice,

and praise God’s holy name –

his saving love from first to last,

from age to age the same!

How strong his arm, how great his power!

the proud he will disown;

the meek and humble he exalts

to share his glorious throne.

The rich our God will send away

and feed the hungry poor;

the arms of love remain outstretched

at mercy’s open door.

So shall God’s promise be fulfilled,

to Israel firmly made:

a child is born, a Son is given

whose crown will never fade.

All glory to the Father, Son

and Spirit now proclaim;

with Mary let the world rejoice

and praise God’s holy name!

Verses by David Mowbray

* https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/daily-prayer/canticles-daily-prayer/54c-magnificat-song-mary

I vow to thee my country (Thaxted)

Scoring: SATB choir, congregation and organ
A more "joined up" arrangement of the well-know hymn "I vow to thee, my country" (Thaxted) to match more faithfully and effectively the original setting of the tune from Holst's "Planet Suite". 
Date: 2018
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Words:
I vow to thee, my country — all earthly things above —
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I’ve heard of long ago —
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

O Holy Night (two versions)

Version 1 scoring: SATB choir and organ
Date: 2018
A simple arrangement of Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night". The setting aims to enable choirs to sing this lovely piece of music without the need for excessive length or complexity, while retaining a degree of variety and passion.
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

For a really excellent performance (December 2023) see https://youtu.be/JuvyjtaP2j0?t=2591 (starting at time 43:17)

Version 1a scoring: SATB choir and organ (adapted)
Date: 2021
This version is slightly adapted for choirs with fewer tenors and basses
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib - sib 6

Version 2 scoring: SSA choir and organ
Date: 2018
Links: pdf - mp3 - midi - mxl - sib

Words:

1  O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born.

2  Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, he guardeth us from danger.
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend.

3  Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever,
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim.