Bob Chilcott : Birdland

This engaging musical drama follows the quest of Pip the Sparrow to be accepted into the Dawn Chorus. Along the way Pip meets characters like the Doc Rock Peacocks, who promise to transform the sparrow into a star, and the troubled residents of The Bewilderness. With the help of two friendly owls, Pip meets singing sensation Shamira the Golden Nightingale and discovers a great secret, causing the sparrow to at last understand the power of having a song that is completely their own. As well as the rich variety of solo roles, which feature spoken narration, the work provides great dramatic potential for the unison and mixed choruses, who play an integral role in the storytelling. The memorable, eminently singable melodies are complimented by a characterful orchestration, for 10-part instrumental ensemble, with Chilcott drawing on a broad range of musical styles. Exploring themes of identity, inclusivity, and self-belief, this heart-warming work is a testament to the unifying, healing power of music.

Bob Chilcott and David Hill : Carols for Choirs 6

To celebrate the centenary of the Oxford University Press Music Department, this volume of 50 new carols complements the five previous volumes, bringing new names and styles to the series while providing a complete resource for choirs from Advent to Epiphany.Featuring newly commissioned carols and arrangements of classic melodies, the collection showcases some of today's most exciting names in choral composition.

Bob Chilcott and Susan Knight have searched the globe for vibrant, exciting music representing a wide range of choral traditions and styles-from a powerful arrangement of an old Armenian hymn to a percussive Dominican "villancico," a carol in the style of Nigerian art music, a Polish folk carol, a new arrangement of popular Canadian carol, and much more besides. Each piece may be sung in its original language or in English, and pronunciation guides are provided for those who wish to sing the original texts. This collection will help to refresh the repertoire of choirs the world over, with most pieces suitable for choirs of all sizes and abilities.

Songlist: Villancio De La Falta De Fe, Khorurd Metz, Southern Cross, Kuttun Kantak, Nu Is Die Roe Van Jesse, Acalanto Para O Menino Jesus, The Huron Carol, Notre Divin Maitre, Llega la Navidad, Nuud ole, Jeesus, Kiidetud, Tuikkikaa, Oi Joulun Tahtoset, Ainsi Que Parmi La Pree, Suser Die Glocken Nie Klingen, Krismas Dodzi Vo, Nagykarcsony Ejszakajan, Immanuel Oss I Natt, Carul Failte, Infant Joy, Jajang, Jajang, Ahgi Yesu, Dedziet Skalu, Putietguni, Lullaby Carol, Amuworo Ayi Out Nwa, Det Hev Ei Rose Sprunge, Hej, Hej, Lelija!, Ena Noc Polna Veselja, Susa Ninna, Ett Nyfott Barn, Im Silbernen Wassergrund, My Dancing Day, Who Is The Baby, and more

Bob Chilcott and Susan Knight have searched the globe for vibrant, exciting music representing a wide range of choral traditions and styles-from a powerful arrangement of an old Armenian hymn to a percussive Dominican "villancico," a carol in the style of Nigerian art music, a Polish folk carol, a new arrangement of popular Canadian carol, and much more besides. Each piece may be sung in its original language or in English, and pronunciation guides are provided for those who wish to sing the original texts. This collection will help to refresh the repertoire of choirs the world over, with most pieces suitable for choirs of all sizes and abilities.

Songlist: Looys parats (The Light of Glory), An Australian Christmas, Oi Bethleem! (O Bethlehem!), Omnes nu laet ons gode loven (Now Let Us All Praise God), Acalentando Jesus (Sleep, little Savior), The Huron Carol, Notre divin Maitre (Our master, Lord Jesus), Cantemos a Maria (Let us sing to Mary), Nuud ole, Jeesus, kiidetud (Now blessed by thou, Christ Jesu), On lapsi syntynyt meille (A Son to us is given), Vieux Noel pour les Tout-petits (Awake, awake!), Nikolauslied (St Nicholas Song), Pastoral (Angels Bright), Jol, Oigbhean a chanaim (I sing of a maiden), The Divine Image, Ju nashuhtdah (Jesus is born), Sudrabina lietins lija (See the silver rain is falling), Indigo I, Amuworo ayi otu nwa (For unto us a child is born), Det hev ei rose sprunge (A spotless rose), Tarice-lamance w cudownej stajence (Joyous Dances), Susa ninna, Ett Nyfott Barn (A Newborn Child), Auf, ihr Hirten, von dem Schlaf (Wake up shephers from your sleep), Sussex Carol, Jesus, Jesus, rest your head, Who is the baby?, Ananaya, nanay (Christmas Carol)

This monumental cantata for massed forces was commissioned by David Hill and The Bach Choir and premiered as part of the 2012 BBC Proms. Setting a specially commissioned text by Charles Bennett, Chilcott skilfully uses both metred and unmetered sung and spoken lines to highlight the text's environmental message. While the musically interlinked choirs sing of humanity's negligence towards nature in a series of dream images, the endearing and innocent tunes of the children's choir ultimately evoke a sense of hope for the future. Creating a unique opportunity for adult and children's choirs to collaborate, this captivating piece offers a fun and educational performance experience for singers both young and old.

Songlist: 6pm, As if, Yellow Eye, 9pm, Green Rain, Midnight, We Need, Jam, Sorry too late, Peppermint freckles, 6am (Lutra lutra), Perhaps

Shall I compare thee? is a collection of ten exquisite settings for mixed voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers. Accompanied and unaccompanied settings

Songlist: The Bird of Dawning, Fear no more the heat o' th' sun, I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, It was a lover and his lass, Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?, Sigh no more, ladies, Come away, come away death, When that I was and a little tiny boy, If music be the food of love, Touch her soft lips and part

Hark, hark, the lark is a collection of eight exquisite settings for upper voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers.

Songlist: And will he not come again?, Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Come unto these yellow sands, Hark, hark, the lark, Our revels now are ended, Over hill, over dale, When icicles hang by the wall, You spotted snakes with double tongue

Furusato presents five evocative arrangements of Japanese songs. Each poem depicts the beauty of the Japanese landscape, and familiar melodies and Chilcott's original style combine to create an enchanting fusion of East and West. Suitable for performance as a suite or as stand-alone pieces, these charming and emotive songs will be a welcome addition to the repertoire of any choir.

Songlist: Sunayama, Mura Matsuri, Oborozukiyo, Furusato, Momiji

Mo li hua (Jasmine) is a tri-language publication suitable for Chinese - or English-speaking choirs. A collection of arrangements of five well-known traditional Chinese songs depicting the simplicity and beauty of everyday life, it includes simplified and traditional Chinese scripts, as well as English singing translations. A Pinyin version of the Chinese - for non-Chinese reading choirs - will be available from the OUP website.The songs-drawn from across China-are arranged sympathetically and in Chilcott's original style, suggesting a musical fusion of East and West. The song 'Mo li hua' was written for The Bach Choir and David Hill, who gave its premiere while on tour in China in April 2014.

Songlist: My Flower, Shepherd's Song, Sun is Out, In Sichuan, Mo Li Hua

Previously published under the title Gaudete!, this collection has been re-covered to complement Bob Chilcott's first Christmas choral anthology. From the simple, understated beauty of 'Away in a manger' to the exuberant jazz waltz version of 'We wish you a merry Christmas', this volume takes a fresh look at classics of the Christmas repertoire.

Songlist: Away in a manger, Coventry Carol, Gaudete!, Il est ne, le divin enfant, Jesus, Jesus, rest your head, Jingle, Bells, Still, still, still, Sussex Carol, We wish you a merry Christmas, What child is this?

This exciting collection by Bob Chilcott gives a jazzy twist to nine favourite folk songs from around the world. The spiral-bound edition is accompanied by a fantastic backing CD, allowing choirs to perform with jazz-trio accompaniment. Bob Chilcott currently conducts the chorus at the Royal College of Music in London and is in great demand as a guest conductor and leader of choral workshops worldwide.

Songlist: Composer's Note, A La Claire Fontaine (There by the Crystal Fountain), En La Macarenita (Down in Macarena), Hush, Little Baby, Sakura (Cherry Tree), Scarborough Fair, Tell My Ma, The House of the Rising Sun, Tuoll' On Mun Kultani (There is my Loved one), Waltzing Matilda, CD Tracklist and Credits

Nine classic Chilcott songs including original pieces and arrangements of traditional material. The varied nature of the collection highlights Chilcott's prodigious gifts. Some of the pieces are published here for the first time.

Songlist: Aka-Tonbo, Ar Hyd Y Nos, Composed Upon Westminister Bridge, September 3, 1802, Dance In The Street, O Danny Boy, Over the Wave, The Lily and the Rose, The Runner, Skye Boat Song

An uplifting and joyful concert setting of four texts exploring man's relationship with the earth. Brimming with energy, the work has a wonderful freshness and vitality. Chilcott selects a range of evocative texts from ancient Chinese, Aztec, Eskimo, and native American cultures. Chilcott's skill for capturing the essence and meaning of words in music shines throughout the work.

Songlist: When the Sun Rises, The Earth, The Innermost House, Come to the Great World

This exciting and accessible collection for upper voices (scored for SA choir and piano) features five brand-new songs by celebrated choral composer Bob Chilcott. Drawing on five very different texts, Chilcott guides the voices through a number of styles and moods; the songs include the rousing 'All for Love of One', gentle 'The Truth is Great', and thought-provoking 'All things pass'. The central song, 'Circles of Motion', is a fervent and positive setting of Joy Harjo's well-known 'Eagle Poem', and the collection is completed by the funky 'Red Boots On', which uses jazzy rhythms and harmonies to bring Kit Wright's text alive. This is Chilcott at his very best - a welcome addition to the repertoire of any upper-voice choir.

Songlist: All For Love of One, The Truth Is Great, Circles of Motion, All Things Pass, Red Boots On

Samba Mass is a joyous and colourful setting of the Latin Missa brevis. The work is framed by the gentle bossa nova style of the warm Kyrie and relaxed Agnus Dei, which is prefaced by a funky Benedictus. The compelling rhythms of samba come to the fore in the second movement, a vivacious Gloria, which is followed by a beautiful Sanctus that offsets a steady flow of quavers with rhythmic syncopations. The stylistic piano part can be played as written or serve as a guide, and an optional guitar, bass, and drum kit part is available separately for band accompaniment. Performers will enjoy exploring the interplay between voices and the rich, warm colours of the samba and bossa nova styles

Songlist: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei

Composed for the Reykjavik Cathedral Choir's "Solo Dei Gloria" Festival in 2004, Advent Antiphons is an exquisite concert setting of the Great O Antiphons. Traditionally chanted or sung between 17 and 23 December, the Antiphons comprise seven brief prayers which proceed in sequence, charting events from before Creation through to the birth of Christ. The powerful sentiments conveyed in these texts are brought to the fore in Chilcott's masterful writing for double choir; he embroiders a beautifully textured work in which echoes of plainchant combine with richly expressive harmony. In the third and fifth movements, the composer instructs the individual sopranos and altos in each choir to sing their parts in their own rhythm, to entrancing effect. Without doubt, this is some of Chilcott's finest music to date; subtle yet potent, haunting, and uplifting.

Songlist: O Sapientia, O Adonai, O Radix Jesse, O Clavis David, O Oriens, O Rex Gentium, O Emmanuel

Songs And Cries Of London by Bob Chilcott is a vibrant and varied choral cantata in five movements for SATB choir, upper-voice choir, piano duet, and optional percussion. The two outer movements draw their words and inspiration from "The Cries Of London" by Orlando Gibbons and frame three contrasting middle movements setting a poem each by Dunbar and wordsworth, as well as the anonymous 18th century rhyme "Oranges and Lemons." Together, these settings evoke a surprisingly contemporary impression of London's sights, sounds, and moods, inspiring some irresistible music, by turns contemplative and unquenchably thrilling.

Songlist: Come Buy, The Flower Of Cities All, London Bells, Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, Good Morrow

These anthems by Andrew Carter, Bob Chilcott, and John Rutter contain ten of their most popular pieces to date. The anthems have been carefully selected to be both approachable to a wide range of choirs and appropriate to the needs of today's liturgy. Together, these collections offer an unrivalled choice of text, style, and scoring, which will make them indispensible and treasured additions to any choir library.

Songlist: And Thank Him Then, Be Thou My Vision, even Such Is Time, God Loved So The World, If Ye Love Me, Irish Blessing, Just As I Am, Song From Jubilate, Sweet Prospect, Walk Softly

The carols of Bob Chilcott have quickly become classics of the repertoire. Fresh, arrestingly beautiful, and exquisitely crafted, they signal a new direction for carol writing, and appeal to a wide range of singers of all ages. This collection of carols for mixed voices assembles nine of the finest pieces from Chilcott's first ten years with Oxford, including two new pieces specially written for the book. Together, they offer a reat range of styles and moods, and provide a moving narration of the Christmas story that will delight choirs and their audiences for years to come.

Songlist: Christmas-tide, For Him And All Stars Have Shone, Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child, Mid-Winter, Nova! Nova!, Remember O, Thou Man, The Shepard's Carol, The Time Of Snow, Where Riches Is Everlastingly

The beautiful eight-part setting of 'My Prayer' starts out with a beautiful alto duet. This challenging piece is a joy to perform and to hear. 'Pray that Jerusalem may have peace' is a Scottish Psalter that was commisioned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the consecration of Glenalmond College Chapel. The multiple key and tempo changes make this a challenging but exciting piece to perform. The text in 'God so loved the world' comes from John 3:16. The soprano solo adds a beautiful descant to this touching piece. 'Even Such Is Time' comes from the text by Sir Walter Raleight. The piece starts out with soft, but expressive, four-part harmonies. Half way through the song, the men's parts divisi. The soprano solo at the end adds a great finish. George Herber's text in 'Even-Song' is brought to life with gorgeous harmonies and yet another sweet soprano solo.

Songlist: My Prayer, Pray That Jerusalem May Have Peace, God So Loved The World, Even Such Is Time, Even-Song

'Singing by Numbers' is a celebration of singing in all its various forms, using a diverse assortment of texts. The seven short movements include items for upper (or children's) voices and men's voices as well as the full choir.

Songlist: Sing We Now Merrily, The Singing Of Birds, Hey Down A Down, Cruet MacNighshade, Sing You Now, Everyone Sang, Hey Down A Down / Sing With Thy Mouth

The weather, the most quintessentially English of topics, was the inspiration for Bob Chilcott's Weather Report, written for the BBC Singers. Chilcott weaves together a tapestry of well-known weather rhymes to create a work that is energetic, quirky, and entertaining. His choral writing is inventive and full of character, using layered rhythms and jazzy harmonies. This is a fun piece to perform, and perfect as a light addition to any concert programme.

This vibrant collection presents five jazzy settings of poems from William Blake's Songs of Innocence. Chilcott challenges the expectation of the listener by setting each classic text in a different jazz-inspired style-from the laid-back swing of 'The Echoing Green' and ballad-like setting of 'The Lamb' to a lilting jazz waltz, 'The Little Boy Lost/The Little Boy Found'. The voices are underpinned by a stylistic piano part, which may be played as written or serve as a guide, and a part for bass and drum kit is available separately for jazz trio accompaniment. Ideal for performance individually or as a suite, these innovative songs will make a colourful addition to any concert programme.

Songlist: Piping down the valleys wild, The Lamb, The Little Boy Lost/The Little Boy Found, The Echoing Green, The Divine Image

Following the success of the mixed-voice edition of Furusato, Bob Chilcott has adapted his arrangements of five evocative Japanese songs for upper voices. Each poem depicts the beauty of the Japanese landscape, and familiar melodies combine with Chilcott's original style to create an enchanting fusion of East and West. Suitable for performance as a suite or as stand-alone pieces, these charming and emotive songs will be a welcome addition to the repertoire of any upper-voice choir.

Songlist: Sunayama, Mura Matsuri, Oborozukiyo, Furusato, Momiji

This work is classic Chilcott - vibrant, fresh, and great fun. It is an exuberant setting of the well-known carol in which the 'five gold rings' refrain is re-written to appear in an array of guises: gentle soprano solo, swinging barbershop quartet, hard funk, and rock gospel style. This version is for an SATB choir but retains the flexibility to include 'guest' performers. Even the audience can join in!

A compelling collection exploring different times of the day and the four seasons, Times and Seasons presents a fruitful collaboration between Bob Chilcott and poet Delphine Chalmers. Four of the pieces are unaccompanied, while the remainder have characterful and supportive piano accompaniments; the voices sing in unison or two parts, making this collection eminently accessible. Suitable for performance as a suite or as stand-alone pieces, these charming songs will be a welcome addition to the repertoire of any children's or upper-voice choir.

Songlist: Morning, Spring, Midday, Summer, Evening, Autumn, Night, Winter

A cycle of songs taking their subject from the seven 'themed' floors of the Evelina Children's Hospital, London, opened in 2005. Texts are by John Mole.

Commissioned by the King's Singers in celebration of their 40th birthday, this work has unusual forces and a comparatively complex nature. Using two texts by Henry Vaughan and John Gillespie Magee, the work charts a journey from a free tempo reflective beginning to a rousing ending, celebratory in tone.
The work was first performed by the King's Singers & King's College Choir at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, 1 May 2008.

This is a vivid musical depiction of the colourful dreamscape created in Charles Bennett's text. The solo tenor floats over the soft, jazzy harmonies of the other voices as he narrates the journey through London's sky, noting the 'blackbirds in the sleeping streets' and a taxicab slumbering below. Swimming over London is recorded by The King's Singers on their CD of the same name.

This second book of anthems by Bob Chilcott assembles pieces in a wonderful range of styles and moods. The anthems have been carefully selected to be both approachable to a wide range of choirs and appropriate to the needs of today's liturgy. An indispensable addition to any choir's library. For SATB accompanied and unaccompanied.

Songlist: Dear Lord and Father of mankind, A Thanksgiving, This day, The Lord's my shepherd, Love Divine, The Lord's Prayer, Queen of the May, Let the earth acclaim him

Carols for Choirs 5 continues the tradition of its predecessors by providing a complete resource for choirs from Advent through to Epiphany. Featuring brand new carols and arrangements of classic tunes, the collection showcases the very best established and new names in choral composition today.

Songlist: A Heavenly Song, A little child there is yborn, A Patre Unigenitus, Adam lay ybounden, Away in a manger (UK tune), Away in a manger (US tune), Blest Mary wanders through the thorn, Candlelight Carol, Carol, Ding dong! merrily on high, Glory to the Christ Child, God rest you merry, gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! the herald-angels sing, Hush! my dear, I saw a stable, I saw three ships, I sing of a maiden, In dulci jubilo, It came upon the midnight clear (UK tune), It came upon the midnight clear (US tune), Joy to the world!, Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming, Lullay, my liking, My Lord has Come, New Year, O come, all ye faithful, O come, O come, Emmanuel, O little town, Old Christmas Returned (or Hospitality Revived), and more

An exciting collection of 20 specially commissioned SATB arrangements almost all of which are a cappella. The contents reflect the richness and diversity of the spiritual tradition, including many much-loved favourites like "All My Trials". "Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho" and "Steal Away" alongside exquisite discoveries that are less well known. All burst with freshness and invention to provide singers with inspirational, moving and above all enjoyable repertoire. As well as contributing five new pieces, the compiler Bob Chilcott has assembled a top selection of arrangers including Joseph Jennings, JohnWashburn and Steve Barnett. The result is a dazzling array of styles, from the introspective to the estatic (including a stylish gospel-influenced song or two along the way). With a mixture of large and small-scale pieces, there's something here for every choir whatever its forces or level of expertise.

Songlist: All My Trials, Balm in Gilead, By an By, Deep River, Didn't It Rain, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Goin' Home to God, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, I Got A Robe, I Want Jesus To Walk With Me, Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, Peter, Go Ring Them Bells, Steal Away, Surely He Died On Calvary, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Wade In The Water, Way Over In Beulah-lan', Were You There?

SongStream is an exciting and innovative collection of 10 songs for youth choirs. Largely scored for SAB, with some divisi and optional parts, these songs combine the music of Bob Chilcott and the Voiceworks approach of Peter Hunt to present a dazzling array of pieces in all styles for young singers. Here are original compositions and arrangements, a gentle Japanese song and a gutsy setting of a Native American text, a funky spiritual and a Beatles encore, a tranquil folksong and a song noisily celebrating life and youthful energy. Accessible, relevant, and heart-warming, these pieces will communicate directly with young singers and their audiences and freshen any concert programme.

Songlist: Aka-Tonbo, Blue Mountain River, Can You Hear Me?, Give Me Strength, How Can I Keep From Singing?, The Ribbon, Shake the Bottle, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Three Country Dances In One, With A Little Help From My Friends

Christmas Spirituals is a fresh and inspiring collection of new spiritual arrangements and orginal pieces in a gospel style for SATB groups of every size and ability. All the best-loved spirituals are here including "Mary Had A Baby", "Go Tell It To The Mountain" and "Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow", whilst the new songs are sure to become tomorrow's "classics". Together, the 12 pieces represent a wonderful diverse telling of the Christmas story to delight and inspire choirs and their audiences throughout this season of the year.

Songlist: And His Name Shall be Called, Away in a Manger, Behold that Star, Children, go where I Send Thee, Go, Tell It on the Mountain, Mary had a Baby, Mighty Wonder, Remember, O Thou Man, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, Star of the Night, The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy, Wasn't that a Mighty Day!

Drawing together two composers long associated with contemporary vocal music, Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars presents eight original and exciting pieces by Bob Chilcott and Jussi Chydenius (of Rajaton fame). Setting celebrated American and English poetry, as well as specially-written texts by Chilcott, this collection examines themes of nature, the elements, eternity, and love. The timeless character of the words is explored through a wide range of popular musical styles, including rock grooves, reflective ballads, and exuberant encores. With a cappella and accompanied pieces, optional bass and drum kit parts, and a variety of SATB textures, Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars provides an array of compelling concert material for today's audiences.

Songlist: Come back!, Tonight, My Heart's Friend, Deep in the night, Sun, Moon, Sea, and Stars, On a Windy Day, She walks in beauty, The Sound of the Sea

Bob Chilcott joined the King's Singers in 1987 and sang tenor in the group for 12 years while also serving as their primary arranger. This collection includes 8 favorite North American folksongs, now available for the first time in a single volume. Piano for rehearsal only.

Songlist: Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair, Feller From Fortune, The Gift To Be Simple, The Golden Variety, I Bought Me A Cat, L'Habitant De Saint Barbe, The Lazy Man, She's Like The Swallow

Based on their Grammy Award-winning album, this compilation by The King's Singers features an eclectic collection of songs. A stunning variety of folksongs, spirituals and pop songs.

Songlist: Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair, Deep River, The Gift to Be Simple, Helplessly Hoping, I Love My Love, She's Always A Woman, The Turtle Dove, Valparaiso, When She Loved Me, You Are The New Day, You Can Close Your Eyes