This charming collection of carols for upper voices is perfect for choirs looking for fresh and engaging repertoire for Christmas. Several new pieces have been composed especially for the collection: Alan Bullard's jubilant carol 'Ring the Bells'; Cecilia McDowall's exquisite lullaby setting of a William Blake text; an enchanting piece by Howard Skempton, perfectly crafted in his unique voice; and a clever wassail-style carol from Roderick Williams. These appear alongside popular carols by John Rutter and Bob Chilcott in new arrangements for upper voices, and a number of carols set to familiar and lesser-known texts. With pieces largely in two or three parts, and occasional unison, For Him all Stars is sure to delight audiences and inspire both young and adult choirs alike.An accompaniment for strings for Rutter's 'Love came down at Christmas' is available on hire.
"Good new music for upper voices is often surprisingly hard to come by, so choirs may well fall with gratitude upon the 15 items of For Him all Stars . . . Yet if nothing breaks the mould, Alan Bullard's exuberant 'Ring all the bells' is first-rate, Jenny McLeod's powerful 'Vulcan' provides welcome variety by exploring lower registers, while the gentle euphony of Howard Skempton's 'Into this world' also offers something distinctive." - Matthew Greenall, The Singer, Feb 07
Antony Baldwin: Balulalow Alan Bullard: Ring the bells Alan Bullard: Scots Nativity Bob Chilcott: For him all stars have shone David Hamilton: We Three Camels Cecilia McDowall: Cradle Song Jenny McLeod: Vulcan arr. Malcolm Pearce: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day Max Reger arr. Paul Keene: Mary's Cradle Song John Rutter: Love came down at Christmas Howard Skempton: Into this world, this day did come Alan Smith: There is no rose Christopher Wiggins: Carol of Our Lady Jonathan Willcocks: Remember, O thou man Roderick Williams: A Catch by the Hearth