In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Will Todd

Born: 1970. Living in: England
English composer Will Todd is well known for his beautiful and exciting music. His work encompasses choral works large and small, opera, musical theatre and orchestral pieces, as well as jazz compositions and chamber works.

His anthem, The Call of Wisdom, was performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a TV audience of 45 million people. His breakthrough work, Mass in Blue (originally titled Jazz Mass), has been performed hundreds of times all over the world. His arrangement of Amazing Grace was performed at President Obama's Inauguration Day prayer service in 2013 and as part of the BBC's Nelson Mandela Thanksgiving Service.

Arrangements | Recordings

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-5 of 5 items.

Will Todd : Brightest and Best

This setting of the famous hymn words by Reginald Heber, a particularly suitable text for Epiphany, was written in memory of Benjamin Hutto, Director of Music at St John's, LaFayette Square, Washington DC. It received its premiere during the churches bicentennial year in March 2016. Todd's characteristic close harmonies and memorable melodies pervade this attractive carol, which is highly approachable for intermediate choirs. A tender unison treatment of the first verse leads to four-part harmony and a descant in successive verses, followed by a large climax, key change and introduction of an optional organ part for the final verse, before a calm, meditative ending. All this combines to create a showstopper of a carol which will delight audiences and congregations.

Will Todd : Jazz Carols

Innovative jazz arrangements of six carols originally created for a service of Jazz Carols at St Martin in the Fields, London by Will Todd. Rich harmonies serve to bring new expression to familiar Christmas material which is written for SATB voices and piano, with scope for optional congregational singing.

Songlist: Silent Night, Once in Royal David's City, Away In a Manger, We Three Kings, In the Bleak Midwinter, Personent Hodie

Will Todd : Songs of Peace

Written in memory of the composer's mother, Will Todd's Songs of Peace is a six-movement work about love and loss. Two of the movements are scored for upper voices. Although it is not a conventional Requiem, it might be appropriate in a memorial context, butshould by no means be confined to it: in many ways it is a very 'life-affirming' work, characterised by Todds recognisable jazz-infused harmonic language, memorable melodies, and powerful and personal texts. Songs of Peace is designed as a work which may be performed complete, as separate movements (two of which are scored for upper voices) or as a selection. It can be accompanied by piano alone (as written, embellished or extemporised - chord symbols are supplied where appropriate) or jazz trio

Will Todd : Jazz Missa Brevis

Will Todd's Jazz Missa Brevis gives new life to the sung Latin Mass texts in an accessible, short setting which embraces a variety of jazz styles, from the swinging jazz waltz Kyrie to the up-beat Latin-groove Gloria. The smooth jazz ballad Sanctus, 7/8 Benedictus and soulful Agnus Dei complete this inspiring Mass setting. Underpinned by Todd's characteristic jazz harmonies and melodic craftsmanship, it is suitable for performance both liturgically and as part of a concert by mixed choirs of all abilities. The work can be accompanied by piano alone (as written or extemporised), jazz trio (piano, bass and drums) or jazz ensemble (alto saxophone, 2 trumpets and jazz trio - parts available separately).

Will Todd : Mass in Blue

Will Todd's Mass in Blue is a dynamic, uplifting, and highly popular jazz setting of the Latin mass. The work features driving grooves and blues harmonies, with provision for short piano solos (notated or improvised) and great moments of musical interplay between soprano soloist and choir. Itas a worthy centre-piece for any concert. For this edition the composer has revised the work, making it more widely accessible.

A set of notated parts for jazz trio (piano, with chord symbols, bass, and drum kit) plus an optional alto sax part is available separately on sale and on hire/rental. A full backing CD, recorded by the Will Todd Trio, is also available on sale.

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-12 of 12 items.

Will Todd : A Boy Was Born

A new carol from composer Will Todd, written for a service of Jazz Carols at St. Martin in the Fields, London. Full of jazz inflections, this restrained and reflective piece will be a valuable addition to the Christmas choral repertoire.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : Amazing Grace

A jazz influenced arrangement of the Christian hymn, written for Andrew Earis and the choir of St Martin in the Fields, London and performed at President Obama's Inauguration Day prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington DC.

Arranger: Will Todd | Composer: John Newton

Will Todd : An Earthly Blessing

An Earthly Blessing is a gentle reflection on the miracle of God's arrival at Christmas in the recognisable jazz style of Will Todd. In the poem, written by the composer, the personal and individual nature of the Christmas story is brought out, and the music flows around the words, gradually building to the phrase 'open my heart' before returning for a gentle conclusion.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : At Evening

Equally successful in concert or worship, this beautiful and short piece by Will Todd uses his characteristic rich, warm harmonies and shapely melodies. The piano accompaniment is supportive by never gets in the way of the subtle shifts of the melody.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : Christ Is the Morning Star

Will Todd's exquisite treatment of this famous text of hope is gentle and yet powerful. The repeated motifs, the well-placed unison passages, and the occasional a cappella sections, all combine to make a reflective and expressive choral anthem.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : I sing because . . .

With an aching melody which starts on upper voices and gradually builds to the whole choir, this work features the composer's characteristic lush vocal harmonies and improvisatory accompaniment. The result is a very emotionally charged piece in which the words and music complement each other greatly.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : Kyrie Eleison

Here is the first movement from Will's major work Jazz Missa Brevis. This music works equally well in liturgy or in concert ands can be performed with only piano, a jazz trio or a full jazz ensemble. All options are available from the publisher.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : Make Not a Bond of Love

An attractive addition to the wedding/civil ceremony choral repertoire, Make not a bond of love is an approachable motet of around 3 minutes duration featuring Todd's characteristic lush harmonies and expert vocal writing. The text by Kahlil Gibran tells of the joys of love, but also of the need for individuality in a relationship.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : The Lord Is My Shepherd

This setting was written as the 4th movement of Todd's 2009 Te Deum which was commissioned by the Vivace Chorus. Todd's jazz background is evident in this approachable but effective setting of the famous psalm text.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : This Other World

Inspired by workshops with the pupils of All Hallows School in Shepton Mallet, this work is about how the world around us can support us, change us, and lead us in our lives. The text is drawn from a pool of lyrics written by the pupils.

Composer: Will Todd

Will Todd : Three Jazz Carols

Innovative jazz arrangements of three carols originally created for a service of Jazz Carols at St Martin in the Fields, London by Will Todd. Rich harmonies serve to bring new expression to familiar Christmas material which is written for SATB voices and piano, with scope for optional congregational singing. Includes: Silent Night, Once in Royal David's City, Away in a Manger.

Arranger: Will Todd

Will Todd : Three More Jazz Carols

A second set of innovative jazz arrangements of three carols originally created for a service of Jazz Carols at St Martin in the Fields, London by Will Todd. Rich harmonies serve to bring new expression to familiar Christmas material, written for SATB voices and piano, with scope for optional congregational/audience singing. Includes: We Three Kings, In the Bleak Midwinter, Personent Hodie.

Arranger: Will Todd