Alice is a quirky, light-hearted celebration of the Alice books by Lewis Carroll. The singers' tale of an encounter with the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and the Hatter is underpinned by a lively and characterful piano part. Spirited, fun, and with great potential for dramatic performance, this piece will be a memorable addition to any concert.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

As She Goes sets words by the composer on a reflective yet inspirational theme ('We were born to fly, but your wings come without a trial run'), against the backdrop of images from the natural world. The choral lines are simple and melodic, drawing on the sound-world of the folksong 'My Love's An Arbutus', which opens the work. Ideal for adult and youth upper-voice choirs, as well as children's choruses.

Composer: Stephen Hatfield

This playful song sets the famous 'Beautiful Soup' poem from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in a suitably tongue-in-cheek manner. With lilting rhythms, intertwining lines, and opportunities for portamento, Beautiful Soup will make an enjoyable addition to any concert programme.

Composer: Brian Chapple

This delicate, spring-like poem, by poet Kevin Crossley-Holland, is an affectionate salutation to a newborn babe. The poet tells that the parents couldn't decide on a name for their baby, and that instead of imposing an inappropriate name on her, they will welcome her into the garden of the world and wait for her to 'declare' herself. After a hushed introduction of whispered welcomes, the voices burst into a dance-like song in celebration of the new arrival's homecoming.

Composer: Cecilia McDowall

This is an uplifting and expressive setting of a fun, descriptive text by Christie Dickason that characterizes the sky in an imaginative way. The compelling melodies are underpinned by a dynamic piano part, often featuring rippling quavers, and charcterful interjections from the glockenspiel and suspended cymbal complement the narrative. A contrasting middle section in triple time quotes from the Northumbrian folk song 'When the boat comes in', while the final section is affirmatory in feel, emphatically repeating the final line of the poem, 'and I will grow'.

Composer: Cecilia McDowall

Here in my Heart is an uplifting and optimistic setting of an original text by the composer that explores the power of the natural world to fill the heart with song. The evocative melody perfectly complements the theme of the text and uses duplets and syncopated rhythms to create a lilting sense of ebb and flow. The rippling piano part and increasingly rich textures build to bring the piece to an emotive close.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

This bewitching setting tells the story of a young girl walking in an enchanted forest, mesmerized by dreamy, ancient songs sung by a chorus of birds. An atmospheric ostinato played on finger cymbals and claves accompanies the voices, and Quartel sets a strong melodic line against the warm harmonies of the birdsong.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

I remember sets a text reflecting on the wonder of the natural world and the people who shape our lives. The stirring melody calls to mind the folksong tradition, and is underpinned by a gently flowing piano accompaniment. The middle section brings a contrast of tonality, with the altos accompanying the sopranos' melodic line, before the beguiling melody of the opening returns to bring the setting to a poignant close.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

Morning Light sets an optimistic text by the composer about home and finding your way. Inspired by American folksongs, the captivating melody and warm harmonies perfectly complement the uplifting theme of the text. Morning Light will be a welcome addition to the upper-voice repertoire.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

This is a gentle setting of an optimistic text about joy and hope and the expression of these through song. Sister Song features delicate piano ostinatos, persuasive melodies, close harmonies, and contrasts of unison and imitative writing.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

Songbird sets an evocative text describing songbirds that spin tunes of gold. The catchy, colourful melody is first presented by tutti voices, and is then woven through the vocal parts, often to scat accompaniment. The setting ends with an effective passage of close imitation.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

This original composition sets the composer's own text celebrating freedom of expression and the music within each of us. Accompanied by hand-drum and piano, the piece is an exciting and engaging sing filled with teachable moments and opportunities for musical growth, with simple legato and two-part passages, and vocal percussion.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

Exhibiting Chydenius's unique style, this contemplative ballad sets a wistful text by American lyrical poet Sara Teasdale. The close harmonies, persuasive melodies, and appealing syncopations in the voices are underpinned by a stylistic piano part with a rhythmic chord pattern that creates a sense of build and drive. The Kiss is ideal for upper-voice choirs looking for an evocative concert piece.

Arranger: Jussi Chydenius | Performed By: Rajaton

The quirky style of The Look perfectly complements the nature of Sara Teasdale's poem, which reminisces on past romances. The melody is catchy and colourful, with a stylistic ornament that gives the piece a carefree feel, and there are effective contrasts of tonality and texture. The voices are accompanied by a jazzy, characterful piano part with driving syncopations.

Arranger: Jussi Chydenius | Performed By: Rajaton

Voice on the Wind sets an inspiring text, written by the composer, about the empowerment of singing. With a catchy melody, imitative scat singing, and a driving hand drum accompaniment, this piece has all the hallmarks of Quartel's innovative style.

Composer: Sarah Quartel

Would Like To Meet is taken from a suite of three pieces by Cecilia McDowall called Lonely Hearts, composed in 2005. The whimsical text by Christie Dickinson is a lonely hearts column written from the perspective of various animals and plants, and this imaginative theme is perfectly complemented by McDowall's spirited and fun setting. The mood is light and energetic, the piano part characterful, and the accessible and appealing vocal lines feature interspersions of scat writing.
Lonely Hearts features on a 2007 CD dedicated to the composer's music recorded on the Dutton label.

Composer: Cecilia McDowall