In Katherine Tynan's Christmas poem, verses describing the bitterness and gloom of winter alternate with couplets describing the gentle miracle of Christ's birth. In Sheena Phillips' musical setting, dissonance and disquiet in the verses contrast with the sweeter harmonies and lilting endings of each couplet. This beautiful and poignant piece culminates in a joyful chorus of interlocking exclamations: Noel! Our Lord is born! Duration: ca. 4 minutes 30 seconds.

Arranger: Sheena Philips

The Apple Tree Wassail comes from the cider country of Devon and Somerset, where it might be sung in the orchards or at the farmer's door. Wassail comes from the Anglo-Saxon wes hael - to be healthy.

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield

This contemporary a cappella setting of the traditional Latin text was composed as a gift to Judith Clurman. Edited by Ms. Clurman. Duration: 2:30.

Arranger: Wayne Oquin

An old Irish carol adapted with the composer's own recollections of childhood Christmases on Vancouver Island, Canada. This heartfelt song evokes natural beauty and childhood wonderment.

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield

From Queen's College, Oxford, comes the ancient ritual and the rousing holiday song The Boar's Head Carol, where the highly decorated dishes of the Christmas feast were presented to the company amid song, pomp and circumstance, with the great platter on which rested the boar's head given pride of place. This arrangement can be adapted and customized to suit various levels of choirs, and lends itself to staging a spirited processional.

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield

This lyrical Christmas anthem is composed in three sections with the opening section built on a melody passed among voices. The middle section is slower and the final section features the basses singing the melody with the upper voices floating above as if they were the angels gathering to witness the birth. Overall, the song speaks to the serene and delicate moments inspired by the original latin text Puer Natus.

Composer: Matthew Emery

Hanukkah is a celebration of triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. This music captures this sense of joy and celebration in both the words and the music.

Composer: Dean Rishel

A joyous fanfare, heralding the great news of birth in the time of darkness. This piece is full of precise rhythms and should be sung with breathless enthusiasm.

Arranger: Lee Kesselman

Arranger: Doreen Rao | Composer: Michael Praetorius

or with Strings or Piano (Harp). Duration: ca. 3:20.

Arranger: James Helme Sutcliffe

Out of a single note, a single moment in time, arises the Great Mystery, revealed in the Christian tradition at Christmas time. After opening with a haunting unison chant, bass ostinato evokes the dry, dustiness of a camel procession in the desert, and an Eastern-sounding melody in the sopranos transports you to another time and place.

Arranger: Lee Kesselman

This a cappella arrangement can be done with female voices, male voices or mixed voices.

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield

Set to an early 20th-century poem, this simple a cappella work offers the joyous message of hope just when all seems dark.

Arranger: Wayland Rogers

A uniquely evocative setting of the Gloria. Elegant and fluid lines suggestive of Gregorian chant are changed into a freely sung soundscape of great beauty and richness.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

A uniquely evocative setting of the Gloria. Elegant and fluid lines suggestive of Gregorian chant are changed into a freely sung soundscape of great beauty and richness. With percussion.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Winner of the 1989 Christmas carol competition held on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, this original a cappella carol can be used for both concerts and caroling. Around a candle they did sing to celebrate the newborn King, and of the joy we hold in store, sang the carolers at my door. Duration: ca. 2:00.

Arranger: Caroline Mallonee

A gentle rocking-song from the Outer Hebrides, traditionally sung at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Rogers' arrangement begins quietly with a solo soprano, and gradually builds to the full choir.

Arranger: Wayland Rogers

This arrangement explores the Caribbean style known as Afro-Cuban: independent melodic lines with strong rhythmic pulses are superimposed to build up textures that are both rich and translucent. Every section of the choir is spot-lit; every section gets its turn to lead. The piece would especially suit a choir in search of something seasonal but upbeat which is not a novelty number. (3:05)

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield

This arrangement explores the Caribbean style known as "Afro-Cuban": independent melodic lines with strong rhythmic pulses are superimposed to build up textures that are both rich and translucent. Every section of the choir is spot-lit; every section gets its turn to lead. The piece would especially suit a choir in search of something seasonal but upbeat which is not a "novelty number."

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield