Refugee Children. Photo: episcopalnewsservice.org
2023: New Carols, Premiered Carols, Resurrected Carols, Premiered Christmas Music, and New Commissions
We are a little late in getting this list off the ground. As you remember, this is a "working list" and updated frequently. We have much to update you on. If we are missing your composition, or if your ensemble premiered a Christmas work, please let us know by emailing christmascarolblog@gmail.com. You can also direct message on Instagram @carols_of_christmas or on Facebook @carolsofchristmas.
Please note we have way more to add as we go thru our notes for the last Christmas season.
Compiled by R. Rojas
Updated Sept. 15, 2024.
Commissions
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge
King's College announced that Cheryl Frances-Hoad was commissioned for 2023 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge. We are working on post on Frances-Hoad. Look to it soon. In the meantime, check out Frances-Hoad's webpage at: https://www.cherylfranceshoad.co.uk/
BBC Singers Commision
The BBC Singers commissioned Grace Rossiter to compose a carol for their Contemporary Christmas Carols Concert. It was premiered on Dec. 21, 2023. We don't know what the carol was, but we are investigating.
Choir of St. John's College
Helen Grime was commissioned by St. John's College Cambridge to compose a piece for their Advent Live Volume 3 which was released in late 2023.
Also, the Choir of St. John's College premiered Joanna Marsh's piece "Refugee" at their Epiphany Service in Jan. 2024. The text is the poem by Malcolm Guite.
"Refugee"
Firsts
Chris Gray directed his first Advent Carol Service at the College of St. John's, Cambridge. A playback of the services can be listened to on BBC Radio 3: A Service for Advent with Carols.
Fundraisers
St. George Hospital Charity
The London Concert Choir (on Instagram @ondonwconertchoir) performed at their annual charity carol concert on Dec. 20, 2023 at Holy Trinty Sloane Square to benefit the St. George Hospital Charity (On Instagram @stgeorgeshopitalcharity). Please see the choir's November 27, 2023 Instagram post, on how to donate.
The Ealing Choral Society held a Charity Carol Concert on behalf of Read Easy, December 16, 2023 at the St. Barnabas Church, in Earling, UK. You don't have to be in the UK to support as you can give at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ecs-read-easy-ealing
Update: The choir Facebook post about the concert says they raised 7000 pounds for charity.
Premieres, New Arrangements, and Compositions
(more commissions)
Alphabetized by composer.
Richard Allain - Allain's "Lute Book Lullaby" was included in Carols for Choirs 6 published by Oxford University Press (OUP). More information on Carols for Choirs 6 below under "Books." Allain's "Coventry Carol" was included in Ikon's 2023 recording Venite, Gaudete!: Choral Music for Christmas.
Ivo Antognin - Antognini's "O Magnum Mysterium" was included in the Concordia College Christmas concert and recording Start of Bethlehem Lead Us to Peace.
"O Magnum Mysterium"
Kristina Arakelyan - Arakelyan's "Ave Maria Stella" was included in Carols for Choir 6. Her "Prelude on "Carol of the Bell'" was included in Oxford University Press' Christmas Organ Music, Book 2 published in 2023. www.kristinaarakelyan.com/
Malcolm Archer - "As I sat on the sunny bank" was commissioned by Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"As I sat on the sunny bank"
William Armiger - Chichester Press published Armiger's O Virgin of virgins of the Advent Antiphons:
"O Virgin of virgins"
Kim Andre Arnesen's - Arnesen's arrangements of "Folkerfrelss" and "Fra fjord og fjaere" were included in Den Norske Studentersangforening 2023 Christmas album I signet juletid.
"Fra fjord og fjaere"
Chris Artley - See below in Awards.
George C. Baker - Baker's "Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol" was included in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol"
Charlotte Baskerville - Baskerville's "Creator of the stars of night" was included in Encore Publication's Carols of Our Time. More information on Carols of Our Times in the "Books" sections below.
Sally Beamish - Beamish's "In the Stillness" was recorded by the Choir of Salisbury Cathedral for their 2023 release Salisbury Christmas and in The Cambridge Chorale's 2023 album The Very Best Time of the Year.
"In the Stillness"
"Variations sur ‘In dulci jubilo’"
David Bednall - Bennall's "Wie schon lechtet (Meditation)" was included in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey. His "Sortie on 'Mendelssohn'" included in Oxford University Press' Christmas Organ Music, Book 2 (2023).
"Wie schon lechtet (Meditation)"
Ester Bersweden - Bersweden's "Away in a Manger" was included in the book Carols of Our Time.
Abbie Betinis - Continuing the Burt family carol writing tradition, Betinis arrangement of "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" was performed by the Atlanta Master Chorale this past season. A video can be seen at:
"In the Bleak Mid-Winter" arr. Abbie Betinis
The score is available from Graphite Publishing.
Judith Bingham - Bingham's carol "Epiphany" was include in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
Evan Blach - Blach put out an arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter". @evanblachejr on Instagram.
"Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier"
Guy Bovet - Swiss organist Guy Bovet's "Prelude on 'Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht'" in Oxford University Press' 2023 book Christmas Organ Music, Book 3.
B. E. Boykin - Boykin's arrangement of the "Coventry Carol" was published in Carols for Choir 6.
"Coventry Carol"
Kerry Boyle - Boyle's arrangement of "Silent Night" was included in Encore Publication's Carols of Our Time.
"Silent Night"
Kerensa Briggs - Brigg's "A Tender Shoot" was performed at the Advent Carol Service at St. John's College, Cambridge on Nov. 25 and 16, 2023, which the Nov. 16 services broadcast on BBC Radio 3. That carol was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton and was included in The Cambridge Chorale's 2023 recording, The Very Best Time of the Year. "Sweet was the song the Virgin Sang" was a commission from the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum and it was the title track of their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"A Tender Shoot"
"Sweet Was the Song"
Sir Percy C. Buck - Buck's organ piece "Prelude on 'In dulci jubilo'" was included in Oxford University Press' Organ Christmas Music, Book 2 (2023).
Alan Bullard - Bullard's "Candle Carol" was included Carols for Choirs 6.
"Candle Carol"
Margaret Burk - Burk's "What Cheer" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
"Herm'att tel jul"
Valarie Capers - Capers' arrangement of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
Paul Carr (@paulcarr1961) - Paul Carr's. To be updated.
"Angelus ad virginem"
Maria Case - Maria Case, artistic director of The Annex Singers (annexsingers.com) had a work premiered by her choir in December 2023. (@annex_singers on Instagram).
Jerrick Cavagnaro - Cavagnaro's arrangement of "Master of this Hall " was include in Choirs for Carols 6. @jerrickcavagnaro9417 on YouTube.
Kathy Cave - It was mentioned on BBC Radio 3's (Dec. 23, 2023) Essential Classics that Cave's carol "Immanuel" was new.
Vicente Chavarría - Chavarría's arrangement of the "Gloucestershire Wassail" was published in Carols for Choir 6 off of Oxford University Press.
Bob Chilcott - Chilcott was commissioned to write a new carol based on "The First Noel," which will be centrepiece of 2023’s Church of England Christmas focus: "Follow The Star: Join The Song."
According to the Church of England's website: "Choirs keen to be involved will have access to a suite of learning
tracks, sheet music and other resources to help them prepare and learn
the new carol alongside other resources to help churches engage in this
year’s theme." Read more at: Renowned composer ‘thrilled’ to write Christmas carol for Church of England’s 2023 theme.
"The First Noel"
Delphian Released Bob Chilcott's Christmas Oratorio with the Choir of Merton College, Oxford. We mentioned he was working on the composition in the last few years. See our post: Delphian Releases Recording of Bob Chilcott's Christmas Oratorio with the Choir of Merton College, Oxford.
"Magnificat" from Chilcott's Christmas Oratorio
Chilcott's carol "The Pear Tree Carol," "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree," and "Welcome, all wonders in one sight!" were also included in the recording. "The Pear Tree Carol" was also recorded by the Cambridge Chorale for their 2023 album The Very Best Time of the Year.
"The Pear Tree Carol"
Voce8 premiered a commission from Chilcott called "The Sleeping Child" on their recording A Choral Christmas.
"The Sleeping Child" by Bob Chilcott
Also, Carols for Choir 6, which Chilcott co-edited with David Hill was released this year on Oxford University Press. The new carol book also included Chilcott's "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" and "The First Noel." Chilcott's "Les anges dan nos campagnes" was included in the 2023 Vasari Singers' Christmas album Music on Christmas Morning. The composers ever-popular "The Shepherd's Carol" was included in the Armonico Consort's 2023 album Noël.
"Les anges dan nos campagnes"
Ronald Corp - Banks Music Publications published Corp's "A Cat Carol" for SATB and piano.
Jim Clements - Clement's arrangement of "Gabriel's Message" was premiered in in A Choral Christmas which was released this past fall 2023 by Voices 8 and the Voces8 Foundation Choir and Orchestra. It was also included in the Cambridge Chorale's recent 2023 album The Very Best Time of the Year. www.jimclements.co.uk/. The version on the Voces8 recording is orchestrated.
"Gabriel's Message"
"Gabriel's Message'
Neil Cox - Cox's "Three are the precious gifts" was commissioned by Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum and it included in their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Three are the precious gifts"
Arnfield Cudal - "Christmas Hath a Darkness" is a new composition by American composer Arnfield Cudal set to English poet Christina Rossetti's poem "Christmas Eve". This choral work is for double choir (SSAATTBB), treble voice, and pipe organ, featuring the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Singers of West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Christmas Hath a Darkness"
Jamie Cullum - Cullum's "The Jolly Fat Man" was included in The Calmus Ensemble's 2023 album Christmas Lights.
"The Jolly Fat Man"
Eleanor Dailey - Dailey's "On Christmas Night" was included in the new Christmas Carols of Our Time off Encore Publications.
Taylor Scott Davis - Davis had Voces8 and the Voces8 Foundation Choir and Orchestra premiere his arrangements of "Joy to the World," "Away in a Manger," "O Come all Ye Faithful," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," and "Silent Night" in A Choral Christmas which was released this past fall 2023.
"Joy to the World"
"Away in a Manger"
"O Come All Ye Faithful"
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Silent Night"
Liz Dilnot - Dilnot's "A Wild Midwinter Carol" was performed by the Jenny Lind Singers on Dec. 7, 2023 a a concert at the Elmslie House.
Richard Wayne Dirksen - Dirksen's "Chanticleer" was include in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"Chanticleer"
Jonathan Dove - The Armonico Consort included the premiere recording of Dove's "The Star-Song" on their 2023 album Noël. Dove's "Seek Him that Maketh the Seven Stars" was included in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"The Star Song"
"Seek Him that Maketh the Seven Stars"
Anthony Dowlatshahi - Dowlatshahi has his Three Carols premiered by the Cantorum Choir. They include: "Ave Maria," "What Cheer?", and "Ave Maris Stella." He also had his "What Sweeter Music" performed by the Thame Chamber Choir.
Paul Edwards - Edwards "No small wonder" saw a bit of a revival this year. It was included in Christmas from the Chapel Royal by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace released in fall 2003. It was also included in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"No Small Wonder"
"No Small Wonder"
"Jul, Jul, stralande jul"
"Deilig er Jorden"
"Mitt hjerte alltid vanker"
"Julvisa, Op. 1 No. 4"
"Toccatina on 'Angel we have heard on high'" - performed by Viktor Billa
Ben Emberley - every year, Emberly writes a carol to the text of a poem and this year he wrote one to the text of Rev. R.L. Hutchins "Benedicamus Domino":
"Benedicamus Domino" by Ben Emberley
A Winter Breviary: I. We Look For You
A Winter Breviary: III. The Unexpected Hour
Carleton Etherington - the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum made a premiere recording of Etherington's "I sing of a maiden" for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"I Sing of A Maiden"
Iain Farrington - Farrington was chosen to assist the finalists in the BBC Radio 3 Breakfast Carol Competition. See below. Farrington was featured in a BBC Music Magazine article: Who is Iain Farrington? Farrington's carol "Nova, Nova" which won last year's Clare College Carol Competition was again performed by the college choir at this year Advent Carol Service:
"Nova, nova" was also included on the 2023 Vasari Singers Christmas album Music on Christmas Morning. His organ piece "Prelude on 'Gabriel's Message'" was included in Oxford University Press 2023 publication Christmas Organ Music, Book 2.
"Nova, Nova"
"Prelude on 'Gabriel's Message" performed by Paul Swinden
'We Three Kings'" was included in Oxford University Press 2023 publication Christmas Organ Music, Book 2. www.alfredfedak.com/
"Impression on 'We Three Kings'" performed by Jeremy Owens
Ephrem Feeley - Feeley composed "Here is the Little Door" SATB choir and organ. You can DM Feeley at his Facebook account @ephremfeeley for a copy if still available. Feeley also wrote a setting of the O Antiphons and "Light from Light: An Advent Wreath Rite," and " Kiss the Old Year Goodbye."
Edwin Fissinger - Fissinger's "I saw three ships" was included in Seraphic Fire's 2023 album The Apple Tree: Christmas with Seraphic Fire.
"I saw three ships"
Dan Forrest - Forrest's "Angels We have Heard on High" was commissioned for the Christmas at Luther College 2023.
"Angels we have Heard on Hight" - arr. Dan Forrest
"Let the Stable Still Astonish"
Jessica French - French's "Fix Your Eyes Upon the Star" was premiered by the Choir of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in St. Louis for their Epiphany Carol Service. It is also being performed by the Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble this holiday season (2023). See Awards below.
"Fix Your Eyes Upon the Star"
French's "There is No Rose" was premiered this past December 2023 by the South Bend Chamber Singers. French's "The Oxen" was included in the new Carols for Choirs 6. The piece was recorded by the Oxford Choir and is available on Spotify.
On Instagram @frenchie384.
"There is No Rose"
Eva Holm Foosnaes - Foosnaes' arrangements of "Deilig er jorden" and "O Helga Natt" were included in included in Den Norske Studentersangforening's 2023 Christmas album I signet juletid.
"Deilig er jorden"
"O Helga Natt"
Cheryl Frances-Hoad - Aside from being the comissionee for 2023's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College Cambridge, Francis-Hoad was also commissioned to compose the carol "Lo! The Desert-Depths are Stirr'd" for Advent Live Volume 3 by Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge which was released in late 2023.
"Lo! The Desert-Depths are Stirr'd"
Rufus Frowde - Frowde's "Adam lay ybounden" was included in Christmas from the Chapel Royal (2023) by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
"Adam lay ybounden"
Marques L.A. Garret - Garret's arrangement of "The Saviour's Birth" was included in Carols for Choir 6.
"The Saviour's Birth"
Olla Gjiello - Lots of news from Gjiello. Forgive us is some of this is not new. Gjiello has put out a piano arrangement of his "Once in Royal David City." His 2017 album Winter Songs with Choir of Royal Holloway and conductor Rupert Gough has been released this year on vinyl. He released a new EP of piano pieces called "Christmas" contains three piano pieces: "Once in Royal David's City," "Winter," and "Away in a Manger."
"Once in Royal David City"
"Winter"
"Away in a Manger"
Havard Gravdal - Havard Gravdal's arraingement of "Den fagraste rosa" was included in Den Norske Studentersangforening's 2023 Christmas album I signet juletid.
"Den fagraste rosa"
Francis Grier - Grier's carols "The Christmas Rose," "I saw a stable," and "Moonless darkness" were included in Christmas from the Chapel Royal by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace released in fall 2003.
"The Christmas Rose"
"I Saw a Stable"
"Moonless Darkness"
Elaine Hagenberg - Hagenberg's arrangement of "I Will be a Child of Peace" was included in included in the Concordia College "Star of Bethlehem Lead Us" concert in 2022 as well as in the recording of the concert released in 2023.
"I Will be a Child of Peace"
Adolphus Hailstork - Hailstork's arrangement of "Hush, my babe" was published in Carols for Choir 6.
Jamie W. Hall - Chichester Press published Hall's Seven Unaccompanied Carols for Christmastide which contains the carols "As I Lay Upon A Night," "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," "Sleep, my Jesu," "O little town of Bethlehem," "Jesu Sweet," "Silent Night," and "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree."
Seven Unaccompanied Carols for Christmastide by Jamie W. Hall
Banks Music Publications published Hall's "Lisa's Carol (Love Came Down at Christmas" for SATB.
Christmas from the Chapel Royal by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. Signum Classics published Nova, Nova! by Hertfordshire Chorus, which appears to have recorded the entire Halsey book. Update: We recently received a copy of the book and it's a heavy one. So not all the book was recorded.
"Joy to the World"
"Det Kimer na til julefes"
Patrick Hawes - Hawes' composition, The Nativity, which we mentioned in last year's update, was released on Signum Classics by Voce, Inc. See our post Voce Chamber Choir of Connecticut releases "The Nativity" by Patrick Hawes on Signum Classics. See Classical Music Daily's review of the album. You can also review the sheet music at these vendors.
"The Infant" from The Nativity
Aside from The Nativity, the recording includes some of Hawes' carols: "What Child is This," "In Bethlehem," "This Endernight," "Joseph's Carol," "Still, Still," "Behold the king, "The Heart of Mary," "Minstrels," and "Lullay, My Liking." In addition, his Four Christmas Motets is in the recording. Within these motets are "Virga Jesse," "Puer Natus," "Nesciens mater," and "Gaudate Omnes." We don't post them all here but here is a sampling:
"This Endernight"
"The Colours of Christmas"
Gerald Henrie - Henrie's "As I Outrode this Endris Night" was included in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"As I Outrode this Endris Night"
Nigel Hess - Hess' "If Bethlehem were here today" was included in Oxford University Press' Carols for Choirs 6.
Thomas Hewitt-Jones - Hewitt-Jones had his Incarnation performed by Sloune Square Choral Society (Facebook: @sloane.sq.choral.soc).
Incarnation: Advent
His "Love is the Answer" was recorded by the St. Martin's Singers for their album A Winter Breviary.
"Love is the Answer"
He has also premiered broadcast of The Christmas Story, with the Scottish Session Orchestra, Stephen Fry, the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and Andrew Earis. It is an orchestra and choir piece and was featured on Classic FM on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Story
He had a commission "Onward we go" from the Children's Choir of St. Stephen. With Gordan Giles, he also has "The Funny Snowman" which brings Astaire and Rogers notes. He has an orchestral piece "Christmas Delivery." His "Age of Optimism" was recorded in two Scottish Session Orchestra and the Royal_______Sinfonia recordings.
Michael Higgins - Higgins' "Winter Night" was premiered by Sonoro on at St. James Church, Piccadilly. @mrhigginsmusic on Facebook.
Frank Horvat - The Annex Singers (annexsingers.com) premiered Horvat's "I Am Ice" on December 16, 2023. @frankhorvat1 on Facebook:
"I am ice" by Frank Horvat
. "Ding Dong Merrily on High"
December: Advent Calendar
December: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
December: Silent Night
December: The Gate of the Year
Stephen Jackson - Jackson's arrangement of Christina Rossetti' "Love Came Down at Christmas" was included in Carols for Choirs 6. His "Noël nouvelet" was included in Christmas from the Chapel Royal, the 2023 Christmas album by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
"Noël nouvelet"
Laura Jekabsone - Jekabsone's "As Joseph was a walking" was released as a single by the National Youth Choir (UK). Jekabsone's first Christmas Cantata has its South American premiere in Argentina this past season:
"As Joseph was a walking"
Christmas Cantata "slow to come and quickly gone - Laura Jekasone
Sasha Johnson Manning - Manning's "Balulalow" and "Summer in Winter" were included in Encore Publication's Carols of Our Time.
"Sing Lullaby"
Banks also published Jones composition on the "I Sing of a Maiden" text for unison and piano:
Jones' "Noel! This Night there is a child yborn" was performed by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge in their November 25 and 26, 2023 Advent Carol Services. The services for November 16 was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
"Es kommt ein Schiff geladen"
Piers Conner Kennedy - We had read on his website that Christ Church Cathedral Choir Oxford would be recording an album of his works to be released in 2023. We are still working to get some information on this recording. We know it contained a piece by Kennedy called "A Wreath." We don't know if this was a Christmas piece or not. Ensemble Pro Victoria with harpist Cecily Beer commissioned "Nowell ell ell" from Kennedy in 2023.
Simon Lindley - Banks. To be updated.
Joanna Forbes L'Estrange - on BBC Radio 3's Record review, John Rutter gave a wonderful review of L'Estrage's "Harry's Carol." the sheet music is available in the Shop on her webpage: www. lestrangemusic.com/shop. On her Instagram page, she states she has a new carol commission for 2024. Her carol "A Present for the Future" was included in Carols for Choirs 6. @joforbesmusician on Instagram.
"A Present for the Future"
Reiko Füting - Füting's piece, "Entre le bœuf" was included on The Calmus Ensemble's 2023 Christmas album Christmas Light.
"Entre le bœuf"
Joe Goodlad - Goodlad's "A Distant Land," an Epiphany carol was premiered by the University of Bristol Church Choir:
"A distant land" by Joe Goodlad
David Hill - Hill's "Adam lay ybounden" and "In the Bleak Mid-winter" were included in Carols for Choirs 6 off Oxford University Press, which Hill co-edited with Bob Chilcott. Hill's descant for "O Come Emmanuel" was performed by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge in their Advent Carol Services. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Hill recorded Venite, Gaudete!: Choral Music for Christmas with Ikon and it was released in fall 2023. Among his arrangements in the album include "O Come Emmanuel," "Away in a manger," "Silent Night," "Bethlehem Down," and "O come all ye faithful."
"O Come Emmanuel"
"Away in a Manger"
"Silent Night"
"Bethlehem Down"
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
"Of a rose we sing"
Grayston Ives - "Susanni," a commission for the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum was included in the ensemble's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Susanni"
Susan LaBarr - LaBarr's arrangement of "The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came" was included in Seraphic Fire's 2023 album The Apple Tree: Christmas with Seraphic Fire.
"The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came"
James Laino - Laino's "Before the paling stars" was commissioned by Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum and included in the ensemble's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Before the paling stars"
Peter Lawson - Goodmusic. Hal Leanard published Lawson's "Jingle Bells" for choir. Brass parts are available upon request.
Phillip Lawson - Phillip Lawson's "Ding Dong! merrily on high" was included in The Calmus Ensemble's 2023 album Christmas Lights.
"Ding Dong! merrily on high"
Alexander L’Estrange - A. L'Estrange's arrangements of "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" and "Winter Wonderland" were included in the Phoenix Chorale's fall 2023 recording The Christmas Album.
"In the Bleak Mid-Winter"
"Winter Wonderland"
His "Epiphany Carol" was included in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"Epiphany Carol"
L'estrange composed "Isiaah's Prophecy" for the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Isiaah's Prophecy
"O jul med din glede"
Sarah MacDonald - Chichester Press published MacDonald's "The Cherry Tree Carol" arrangement for SATB:
"The Cherry Tree Carol" arr. Sarah MacDonald
Helen MacKinnon - MacKinnon's new setting of "Silent Night" was performed by the Clyde Opera Orchestra on December 17, 2023 in and @composerhelen on Instagram.
Aaron Manswell - The Amadeus Choir and Hannaford Street Silver band premiered Manswell's "Thank you twice" on Dec. 16, 2023.
Peter Marchbank - Marchbank's arrangement of Peter Tranchell's "People Look East" was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton.
Joanna Marsh - Marsh was commission by the Master and Follows of St. John's College, Cambridge to write "It's Getting Darker, darker all the time" on the text of Malcolm Guite. It was performed by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge at their November 25 and 26, 2023 Advent Carol Services. The service for Nov. 26 was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Marsh's "In Winter's House" was recorded once more, this time by The Gesualdo Six with some minor changes for lower voices (according to Owain Park). It's in their new album Morning Star.
"In Winter's House"
Marsh's "Refugee" was performed by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge for their Epiphany Services in January 2024.
"Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland"
Matthew Martin - The 2022 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols comissionee, Martin had his "Adam lay ibowndeyn" performed by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve 2022. It was also included in the 2023 album The Apple Tree: Christmas with Seraphic Fire and in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"Adam Lay Ybounden"
"Adam Lay Ybounden"
Martin's "Nowell we sing" was included in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Nowell we sing"
Stephanie Martin - S. Martin's carol "An earthly tree" was included in Encore Publications Carols of Our Time.
"An earthly tree"
Cecilia McDowall - McDowall's "There is No Rose" was recorded by the St. Martin's Voices in their 2023 recording A Winter Breviary: Choral Works for Christmas.
"There is No Rose"
McDowall's "In dulci jubilio" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
"In dulci jubilio"
Her "O Magnum Mysterium," "O Nata Lux," and "O Virgo Virginum" were included in the Phoenix Chorale's "The Christmas Album" which was released in fall 2023.
"O Magnum Mysterium"
McDowall's O Antiphone Sequence was performed by organ scholar Alexander Robson at the beginning of the Advent Carol Service of St. John's College, Cambridge on Nove. 25 and 26, 2023.
O Antiphone Sequence: I. O Sapientia
O Antiphone Sequence: II. O Adonai
McDowall's "Before the parting of the stars" was included on the Choir of Salisbury Cathedral's 2023 recording A Salisbury Christmas.
"Before the parting of the stars"
George McFee - McFee's "Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?" was included in Christmas from the Chapel Royal (2023) by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
"Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?"
Becky McGlade - McGlade's "What Child is this" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
Grace-Evangeline Mason - Mason's "O Sapientia" was premiered by the Choir of King's College, London. It was commissioned in part by Choir & Organ Magazine and PRS for Music.
Christopher Moore - to be updated
Phillip Moore - Moore's "Variations: Noël nouvelet" was included in Christmas from the Chapel Royal (2023) by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. His "What Child is This" was included in Carols for Choirs 6. Oxford University Press published his organ piece "A Fugal Flourish on 'Personent hodie'" in its Christmas Organ Music, Book 2 (2023). www.philipmooremusic.com
Julio Morales - to be updated
Julio Morales - to be updated
Simon Morley - Morley's arrangement of Silent Night was included in The Cambridge Chorale's album The Very Best Time of the Year.
Nico Muhly - Muhly's carol "Alma Redemptoris Mater" was included in Carols for Choir 6. Much more on Muhly to added.
David Mutti - to be updated.
Robin Nelson - Nelson had her carol "Out of youre slep aryse and wake" performed at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge. The score is available from Banks Music Publications.
Nico Muhly - Muhly's carol "Alma Redemptoris Mater" was included in Carols for Choir 6. Much more on Muhly to added.
David Mutti - to be updated.
Robin Nelson - Nelson had her carol "Out of youre slep aryse and wake" performed at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge. The score is available from Banks Music Publications.
Paul Nesheim - Nesheim's arrangement of "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow" was included in the Concordia College Christmas concert and recording Star of Bethlehem Lead Us to Peace.
Michael Nicholas - Nicholas' "The Lord at First Did Adam Make" was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton.
Stuart Nicholson - Stuart Nicholson's arrangement of "I saw three ships" was published in Carols for Choir 6. His arrangement of Ding Dong! Merrily on High was included in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
June Nixon - Nixon's arrangement "A lovely lady sat and sang," her arrangement of "The Cherry Tree Carol," and "This endris night" were included in Encore Publications Carols of Our Time. Her "Holly and the ivy" was recorded by the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
Martyn Noble - Chichester Press published Noble's advent carol "Earth Grown Old" based on Christina Rossetti's poem "Advent." SATB:
Earth grown old by Martyn Noble
Richard Nye - Chichester Press describes Nye's "Annunciation" as a piece for two voices, optional flute, oboe or clarinet and piano based on a painting by American artist, John Collier (www.Hillstream.com). Written for a school's Nine Lessons and Carols service, "Annunciation" was first performed in 2009 when it was heard by over a thousand people at two events in 24 hours. The piece has been regularly performed since by both adults and children and was also used for a choral workshop at Stowe School. As well as being used in carol services, Annunciation has been performed as part of a concert programme and used as piece of 'music drama'. One of the most memorable performances took place in 2010 when it was sung in the United States next to John's painting at St Gabriel's, McKinney, Texas.
"Annunciation" by Richard Nye
Roxana Panufnik - newly orchestrated "Ave Maria" by Panufnik was performed by the CBSO Youth & Children Choruses in December 2023. Panufnik's father, the composer Andrzej Panufnik received a posthumous medal from for his contribution to Polish culture. The medal was accepted by Jem Panufnik, brother to Roxana and son of Andrzej Panufnik. Roxana Panufnix's "Deus, Deus meus tu" was performed by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge for their annual Advent Carol Service, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on November 26, 2023. Instagram at @roxannapanufnik. To be updated. Panurnik's "Sleep, little Jessus, Sleep" was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton..
Owen Park - Park's "Oh, send out thy light" and his arrangement of "Bethlehem of noblest Cities" were recorded on the Gesualdo Six's album Morning Star released in late 2023. Park's "A Babe is Born" was include in the recently published Carols for Choirs 6 off of Oxford University Press.
"Bethlehem of noblest Cities"
There is also a podcast episode of the Gramaphone Podcast in which Park is interviewed about the album. That episode can be heard at "Owain Park on the new album from The Gesualdo Six, 'Morning Star.'"
Owen Park - Park's "Oh, send out thy light" and his arrangement of "Bethlehem of noblest Cities" were recorded on the Gesualdo Six's album Morning Star released in late 2023. Park's "A Babe is Born" was include in the recently published Carols for Choirs 6 off of Oxford University Press.
"Oh send out thy light"
"Bethlehem of noblest Cities"
There is also a podcast episode of the Gramaphone Podcast in which Park is interviewed about the album. That episode can be heard at "Owain Park on the new album from The Gesualdo Six, 'Morning Star.'"
Park's "Lullay my liking" was commissioned by Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Lullay my liking"
The Cambridge Chorale, which Park directs, included Park's "Adam lay ybouden," "The Holy Child," "A Winter Bloom," "Here is the Little Door," "I Wonder as I Wander," and his arrangement of John Rutter's "The Very Best Time of the Year" in their recording also called "The Very Best Time of the Year."
"A Winter Bloom"
Ben Parry - Parry's "There is no rose" and his arrangement of "Il est né le divin enfant" were included in Carols for Choir 6. Parry's arrangement of "Jingle Bells" was included in the Phoenix Choir's The Christmas Album (2023) and in The Cambridge Chorale's 2023 recording, The Very Best Time of the Year.
"Jingle Bells"
Arvo Part - The Carice Singers gave the first London performance of Arvo Part's "O Holy St. Nicholas" on February 23, 2023.
O Holy St. Nicholas by the Elora Festival Singers
Russel Pascoe - Pascoe's Manificat was performed by the Chior of St. John's College, Cambridge for their Advent Carol Service. It was broadcast on Nov. 26, 2023 on BBC Radio 3.
Adrian Peacock - Peacock's "There is no rose" was recorded by the Gesualdo Six in their new (2023) album Morning Star.
"There is no rose"
His "Venite, Guadete!" was included in the 2023 Vasari Singer's album Music on Christmas Morning and 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"Venite, Guadete!"
Erling Pederson - Pederson's arrangement of M. Praetorius' "A Great and Mighty Wonder" was included in The Cambridge Chorale's 2023 album The Very Best Time of the Year.
"A Great and Mighty Wonder"
Yshani Perinpanayagam - Perinpanayagam's carol "When God Made Eve" was included in Encore Publication's Carols of our Time.
"When God Made Eve"
Electra Perivolaris - Perivolaris' "There is no rose" was included in Carols of Our Time.
Ben Ponniahh - "O little one sweet" was commissioned by Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"O little one sweet"
Kim Porter - Porter's carol "Christmas Eve" was included in Carols for Choir 6. It uses a text of Christina Rossetti.
"Christmas Eve"
Francis Pott - Pott's "In the Bleak Midwinter" was included in the 2023 Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys Fifth Avenue New York recording Small Wonder: Music for the Christmas Season.
"In the Bleak Midwinter"
His "Balulalow" was recorded by the Cambridge Chorale and included in their 2023 album The Very Best Time of the Year.
"Balulalow"
"Ogo ni fun Oluwa!"
Sarah Quartel - Quartel's "Before the Song was Done" and "On this Silent Night" were included in Carols for Choir 6. Her "This Endris Night" was included in the Concordia College Christmas concert and recording Star of Bethlehem Lead Us to Peace.
Patrick Dupre Quigley - Quigley, director of Seraphic Fire, had his "Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head" included in the 2023 album The Apple Tree: Christmas with Seraphic Fire. Also, his arrangements of "I Wonder as I Wander" and "Jesus es Pesebre" were also included in the recording.
"Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head"
David Rain - Canadian composer David Rain had a busy season. What he describes as a "very different rendition" of "Good King Wenceslas" was premiered on Dec. 16, 2023 by the Uppsala Cathedra Singers:
"Good King Wenceslas" by David Rain is the
fourth piece performed in this video.
Rain also arranged "Lulajze Jezuniu" a Polish lullaby:
"Lulajze Jezuniu," arr. David Rain
Rain also composed a setting of William Blakes "The Lamb":
"The Lamb" by David Rain
Also, here is Rain's "A new mystery unfoldeth" which he published last year (2022), but seems we missed:
"A New Mystery Unfoldeth" by David Rain
Shruthi Rajasekar - To be updated.
Dean Rishel - Rishel's "Hannukah Scherzo" was performed by the Asheville Choral Society in December 2023.
"Hannukah Scherzo"
Kira Zeeman Rugen - Rugen's "Wexford Carol" was recorded by the Phoenix Chorale in their new 2023 album.
"Wexford Carol"
Ghislaine Reece-Trapp - Reece-Trapp's carol "Earth grown old," we assume on Christina Rossetti's poem "Advent" was published in Carols for Choirs 6.
Jonathan Roberts - Roberts' "Hope finds a way" was included on the Armonico Consorts 2023 album Noël.
"Hope finds a way
Zanaida Stewart Robles - Robles' carol "Now the Rejoicing" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
Ben Rowarth - Rowarth was commissioned to write a carol for the Choir of the Chapel Royal Tower of London and he wrote "The Shepherd Girl," which was premiered on December 16, 2022 at their Nine Lessons and Carols service. It is scored for five voices, SATB plus soprano solo.
"The Shepherd Girl"
Jonathan Rutherford - The London Voices under Ben Parry put out a recording of Rutherford's music, which included Isiah 35 - Three Advent Carols ("Rejoice, you barren land"; "The Sofferent thatte seeth evere seycrette"; "The Wilderness and the Solitary Place.") and "Rejoice, Rejoice," and "In the Bleak Midwinter."
Three Advent Carols - "Rejoice, you barren land"
"In the Bleak Midwinter"
John Rutter - Rutter's "All the Stars Looked Down" was published in Carols for Choir 6, a series he formally co-edited.
"All the Stars Looked Down"
Rutter's "Christmas Lullaby," "Candlelight Carol," and "Dormi, jesu" were included on the Vasari Singer's 2023 album Music on Christmas Morning. "The Candlelight Carol" was also included in the Choir of Salisbury Cathedral's 2023 album A Salisbury Christmas. The Armonico Consort included Rutter's "Angel Carol" and "What Sweeter Music" on their 2023 album Noël. His "Was I the Lamb" was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton. His "Shepard Pipe's Carol" was included in the Concordia College Christmas concert and recording Star of Bethlehem Lead Us to Peace. Rutter's piece "The Very Best Time of the Year," was the title track to the Cambridge Chorale's 2023 album. The recording was Owain Park's arrangement of the Rutter piece.
"The Very Best Time of the Year" by John Rutter, Arr. Owain Park
An entire album of "orchestral" carols by Rutter was recorded by the Britten Sinfonia under Daniel Hyde and released in fall 2023 called Rutter Orchestral Carols. The album includes "All the stars looked down," "Child in a Manger," "Sans Day Carol," "Blake's Lullaby," and "All the Bells of Paradise."
"Child in a Manger"
Carl Rutti - Rutti's "I wonder as a wander" was included in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"I wonder as a wander"
Benedict Sheehan - Oxford University Press has published Benedict Sheehan's A Christmas Carol, which was debuted by Skylark in 2021. It received its United Kingdom debut in 2022 by the BBC Singers. You can still hear it on BBC Radio 3 In Concert. It will be available until January 14, 2023.
Highlights from A Christmas Carol by Benedict Sheehan
Stephen Shellard - The Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir performed Stephen Shellard's new composition using to the text to "Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree" (SATB [with division] & organ).
Howard Skempton - Skempton's "To Bethlem did they go" was included in The Cambridge Chorale's 2023 recording, The Very Best Time of the Year.
"To Bethlem did they go"
Andrew Smith - Smith's "Veni Emmanuel" was included in the album Christmas from the Chapel Royal by The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
"Veni Emmanuel"
Olivia Sparkhall - Banks has also published Olivia Sparkhall's "All and Some" (SATB unaccompanied).
"All and Some"
Sofia Söderberg - Söderberg's arrangement of "Noel Nouvelet" was performed by the Ashville Choral Society this past December 2023. (@sofiamargas on Instagram) is conductor of the Svanholm Singers.
Philip Stopford - Stopford's "Adam lay ybounden" in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum's 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Adam lay ybounden"
Z. Randall Stroope - Stroope's "All My Heart This Night Rejoices" as included was included in the Concordia College Christmas concert and recording Star of Bethlehem Lead Us to Peace.
"All My Heart This Night Rejoices"
Amy Summers - Summers' organ piece "Christmas Bells" was included in Christmas Organ Music, Book 2 off of Oxford University Press. www.amysummerscomposer.com
Mishaal Surti - the Exultate Chamber Singers premiered one of their tenors Mishaal Surti's compositions, "Beauty of the Stars" at their Songs of Light, on December 15, 2023:
Mishaal Surti talks about his composition.
"Beauty of the Stars"
Dabrinka Tabacova - Tabacova's "Of a Rose We Sing" was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton.
"Of a Rose We Sing" performed by Truro Cathedral Choir
Fernando Taberner - Taberner's "Villancico Xicarrero" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
Timothy Takach - Takach's arrangement of the ""Twas the Moon in Wintertime" was included in the 2023 album The Apple Tree: Christmas with Seraphic Fire.
"Twas the Moon in Wintertime"
Joel Thompson - Thompson's "The Rose" was included in Carols for Choir 6.
Joe Twist - Joe Twist had put out a new version of "Silent Night" which is available at joetwist.com. @joetwistmusic on Instagram.
Joe Twist - Joe Twist had put out a new version of "Silent Night" which is available at joetwist.com. @joetwistmusic on Instagram.
"Silent Night"
Suzzie Vango - Vango's arrangement of "Gaudete" was included in Carols for Choir 6.
"Gaudete"
Lucy Walker - In November 2023, the St. Martin's Voices premiered Walker's "A Christmas Life" from their new album A Winter Breviary.
"A Christmas Life: I. The Christmas Life"
The Choir of York Minster commissioned "Ave, Vigo Santissima" for their Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols this past December 2023. The video of the entire festival can be found at this link. Walker's "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" was included in Encore Publication's Carols of Our Time and her "There is no rose" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
"There is no rose"
Errollyn Wallen - Last year, we mentioned that Wallen's "Salisbury Carol," a commission for Salisbury Cathedral, received its first performances in December 2022 at the cathedral's "Carols by Candlelight" service. The carol was included in the Choir of Salisbury Cathedral's 2023 album Christmas a Salisbury.
"Salisbury Carol"
Alison Willis - Willis' "He had not where to lay his head" and "The Three Kings" were included in Encore Publication's Carols of Our Time.
"He had not where to lay his head"
Clare Wheller - Wheller's Instagram (@_clarewheeler)
Robin White - White's new carol "Light of the World" has been recorded by the Alban Voices and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. One can download it at: listn.fm/lightoftheworld.
"Light of the World"
James Whitbourn - Whitbourn's "Our Gold" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
Mack Wilberg - Wilberg's arrangement of Holst's "In the Bleak Midwinter" was included in the Choir of Merton College, Oxford's 2023 recording On Christmas Night: Carols from Merton.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" performed
by Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Of course, any recording of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will have many arrangements of their director Mack Wilberg. For this year's Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square "Season of Light" included Wilberg's arrangement on "When Shepherds saw the light"; the Filipino carol "Payapang Daigdig"; "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"; "Hosanna in excelsis" based on J. Pachelbel's Canon in D; "Here we come a-caroling"; "Rocking Carol"; and "Angels from the Realms of Glory." The recording also included Wilberg's composition "The Christmas Story."
"When Shepherds saw the light"
Philip Wilby - "Moonless darkness stands between" was commissioned by Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum for their 2023 recording Sweet Was the Song: Christmas music from Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Moonless darkness stands between"
John Wright - John Wright's arrangement of "Make We Joy in this Fest" for organ and brass has been published on Goodmusic. To view a preview score and hear an audio clip, click here.
Reginald Wright - Wright's "There shall be Christmas Day" was included in Carols for Choirs 6.
"There shall be Christmas Day"
Toby Young - Young's carol "O be joyful" and "The Owl" were included in Carols for Choir 6.
"The Owl"
The Armonico Consort made the premier recording of Young's "O Adonai" and it was included in the Armonico Consort's 2023 Christmas album Noël. On that same album, the Armonico Consort also included Young's "Astronomer's Carol."
"O Adonai"
"Astronomer's Carol"
Konrad Zeisberg - Konrad Zeisberg's arrangement of Jamie Cullum's "The Jolly Fat Man" was included in The Calmus Ensemble's 2003 album Christmas Lights. His arrangement of Coldplay's "Christmas Lights" was also included on the album, it being the album title piece.
"Christmas Lights"
There has been a lot of Christmas publishing by Boosey & Hawkes. Among them are: Coming soon.
Lectures & Interviews
On the Change Your Tune Podcast hosted by Bach Choir director David Hill interviewed John Rutter in their Christmas Carols Special with John Rutter and Lloyd Griffith. See the December 4, 2023 and December 14, 2023 episodes. The interview is also on YouTube:
The Choral Chihuahua Podcast also had a Christmas episode on Dec. 17, 2023. Link.
That Shakespeare Life Podcast has an episode called "Christmas Carols and Madrigals for Shakespeare's Lifetime" in which the host interviews Tasmin Lewis. Link.
As mentioned above, Owain Park is interviewed in the Gramaphone Podcast about the Gesualdo Six new album Morning Star.
Awards, Contest Winners, and Finalists
2023 Clare College Carol Composition
Emma Patterson won the 2023 Clare College Carol Competition, and her carol was performed at the college's Advent Carol Service. The lyrics are from Isaiah 9:2. The entire service can be heard at the choir's YouTube channel.
You can hear this piece at the choir YouTube channel:
2023 Clare College Carol Composition
Emma Patterson won the 2023 Clare College Carol Competition, and her carol was performed at the college's Advent Carol Service. The lyrics are from Isaiah 9:2. The entire service can be heard at the choir's YouTube channel.
You can hear this piece at the choir YouTube channel:
Video to be uploaded.
2023 BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition
The mission this year was to write a carol "Polaris," a lyric written especially for the competition by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
The eight shortlisted finalists were invited to collaborate with Iian Farrington (Winner of the Claire College Carol Competition 2022).
2023 BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition
The mission this year was to write a carol "Polaris," a lyric written especially for the competition by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
The eight shortlisted finalists were invited to collaborate with Iian Farrington (Winner of the Claire College Carol Competition 2022).
This year's judges were:
Open Arts music director Beverley McGeown
broadcaster Clive Myrie
King’s College Cambridge Director of Music Daniel Hyde
Blue Peter presenter Mwaka Mudenda
Open Arts music director Beverley McGeown
broadcaster Clive Myrie
King’s College Cambridge Director of Music Daniel Hyde
Blue Peter presenter Mwaka Mudenda
Not including the winner, the finalist were of the senior competition were Andrew Collier, Richard Mack, and Beverly Moore.
The winning senior carol was by Clare Welfare. The winner of the junior competition was Rebecca.
Polaris by Simon Armitage
Police are hunting high and low
for the thief who nicked the winter snow.
Who got their mitts on those glittery days?
The Arctic fox, the motorway says.
But the star of the north is the star of truth.
Majors and ministers want to know
what on earth became of the British snow.
December went AWOL - who’s to blame?
The Arctic hare, said the aeroplane.
But the star of the north is the star of truth.
Bishops are wondering… where did it go,
the magical heavenly Christmassy snow?
There isn’t a flake of the stuff in the air
and the chimney points at the polar bear.
But the star of the north is the star of truth.
The star of truth is the star of the north
The winning senior carol was by Clare Welfare. The winner of the junior competition was Rebecca.
Polaris by Simon Armitage
Police are hunting high and low
for the thief who nicked the winter snow.
Who got their mitts on those glittery days?
The Arctic fox, the motorway says.
But the star of the north is the star of truth.
Majors and ministers want to know
what on earth became of the British snow.
December went AWOL - who’s to blame?
The Arctic hare, said the aeroplane.
But the star of the north is the star of truth.
Bishops are wondering… where did it go,
the magical heavenly Christmassy snow?
There isn’t a flake of the stuff in the air
and the chimney points at the polar bear.
But the star of the north is the star of truth.
The star of truth is the star of the north
Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition
The judges this year were David Hill, Bob Chilcott, and Jonathan Willcocks.
"Nicholas’ winning carol, And I, Joseph, is about the moment of Jesus’ birth, in which Joseph sees everything suddenly come to a complete halt. For an instant the entire world is motionless – the birds are at a standstill unmoving in the sky and a flowing stream halts. In Nicholas’ astute words, God comes to us in stillness. The text that details this moment is taken from the Protogospel (infancy gospel) of James.
Honorable mentions were given to:
- Stephen G Potts – A Christmas Greeting – the judges commended this carol’s engaging writing for unaccompanied choir
- Thomas Alban – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – the judges commended this carol’s well-handled ending
- John Whittaker – The Star Carol – the judges commended this carol’s rhythmic interest and the excellent writing for organ
- Zebulon M Highben – There is No Rose – the judges commended this carol’s engaging, folk-like quality and noted that it is likely to be popular with singers
- Yipeng Xu – Ring Out, Wild Bells – the judges highly commended this carol’s energy (17-and-under)
- Edward Harris-Brown – Ring Out, Wild Bells – the judges highly commended this carol’s sophisticated writing (17-and-under)
For more information, go to: https://thebachchoir.org.uk/carol-competition/.
Kantos Carol Competition 2023
Eleanor Cully Boehringer won the Kantos Carol Competition for her carol "Perennial Ephemeral," which was performed on December, 2023 at the Carols from Kantos concert. The
Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Carol Competition 2023
Daniel Watson won the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir 2023 Christmas Carol Competition. Walson is a composer, teacher, and musician from Indianapolis, Indiana and is also an Associate Faculty of Voice at Indiana University Indianapolis.
He has been recognized for his dedication to music education by receiving the Outstanding Future Music Educator of the Year Award (2015) from the Indiana Music Education Association as well as the National Association for Music Education National Professional Achievement Award (2014, 2015).
His carol was performed at the choir's Festival of Carols. You can learn more about Daniel Watson at http://danielscottwatson.com/
The solicitation for the 2024 entries is already posted with the deadline being May 31, 2024. For more information to go Christmas Carol Competition. DEADLINE PASSED.
London Choral Sinfonia Carol Competition
Chris Artley, whom we mentioned in last year's post, won the inaugural London Choral Sinfonia Carol Competition with 'Christmas Day' (words by Christina Rossetti).
American Prize n Composition - Choral music (professional division -- shorter works)
Book, Publications, and Collections
Encore Publications
Encore Publications published Carols of Our Time edited by Sarah MacDonald and Timothy Rogers. "All of the carols in this anthology are composed by women, including Charlotte Baskerville, Esther Bersweden, Kerry Boyle, Eleanor Daley, Tamsin Jones, June Nixon, Sarah MacDonald, Sasha Johnson Manning, Stephanie Martin, Yshani Perinpanayagam, Electra Perivolaris, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp, Lucy Walker and Alison Willis."
Parish Publications published Christmas Organ Sound Colours by Ian Higginson.
Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music 2
Chris Artley, whom we mentioned in last year's post, won the inaugural London Choral Sinfonia Carol Competition with 'Christmas Day' (words by Christina Rossetti).
American Prize n Composition - Choral music (professional division -- shorter works)
Book, Publications, and Collections
Encore Publications
Encore Publications published Carols of Our Time edited by Sarah MacDonald and Timothy Rogers. "All of the carols in this anthology are composed by women, including Charlotte Baskerville, Esther Bersweden, Kerry Boyle, Eleanor Daley, Tamsin Jones, June Nixon, Sarah MacDonald, Sasha Johnson Manning, Stephanie Martin, Yshani Perinpanayagam, Electra Perivolaris, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp, Lucy Walker and Alison Willis."
Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music 2
Publisher's description:
The second Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music comprises a diverse collection of seasonal organ music, covering the Church's year from Advent to Epiphany. The music is stylistically varied, and the pieces are drawn internationally from across the centuries with a mixture of established repertoire set alongside newly commissioned works. The volume is edited by Robert Gower.
Oxford University Press published the 6th book in its Carols for Choirs series: Carols for Choir 6. This six of the series is edited by Bob Chilcott and David Hill.
Anniversaries
2023 marked the 45th anniversary of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols being broadcasted in the United States.
The Tallis Scholar celebrate 50 years.
The Swingles celebrate 50 years.
The BBC Singers will turn 100 in 2024. They almost did not get there.
Goodbyes and Musical Chairs
This past April Thom Meredith was appointed as Musical Director of the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir.
We left you last year with directors moving to Westminster Abbey from St. John's Cambridge, from Truro Cathedral to moving to St. John's College, Cambridge, and the musical directorship at Truro Cathedral looking to be filled. Congratulations to James Anderson-Besant on his hire at Director of Music.
The second Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music comprises a diverse collection of seasonal organ music, covering the Church's year from Advent to Epiphany. The music is stylistically varied, and the pieces are drawn internationally from across the centuries with a mixture of established repertoire set alongside newly commissioned works. The volume is edited by Robert Gower.
Oxford University Press published the 6th book in its Carols for Choirs series: Carols for Choir 6. This six of the series is edited by Bob Chilcott and David Hill.
Anniversaries
2023 marked the 45th anniversary of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols being broadcasted in the United States.
The Tallis Scholar celebrate 50 years.
The Swingles celebrate 50 years.
The BBC Singers will turn 100 in 2024. They almost did not get there.
Goodbyes and Musical Chairs
This past April Thom Meredith was appointed as Musical Director of the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir.
We left you last year with directors moving to Westminster Abbey from St. John's Cambridge, from Truro Cathedral to moving to St. John's College, Cambridge, and the musical directorship at Truro Cathedral looking to be filled. Congratulations to James Anderson-Besant on his hire at Director of Music.
Resurrections
Ars Nova Copenhagen performed "Før mig, barn, til Betlehem" ("Take me, child to Bethlehem") also known as "Gammel Julesang" ("Old Christmas Carol") at their December 2023 Christmas performance. It was written by Lange-Müller in 1872. The text is by Han Christian Andersen. A video of the carol can be seen here:
"Før mig, barn, til Betlehem" ("Take me, child to Bethlehem")
Also see the ensemble's performance of Povl Hamburger's "Snow":
Povl Hamburger's "Snow"
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