Ivy, Chief of Trees it is (2019) – SATB a cappella – 2’30″
A carol for Granta Chorale to be premiered at their concert A Christmas Garland in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, on 12th December. There is a rich medieval tradition of texts discussing the merits of holly or ivy, or pitching the two against each other in a contest; this anonymous 15th-century text clearly favours ivy. The musical setting is very simple, with a repeated choral refrain and brief verses for pairs of soloists.
Ave Maria (2017) – SATB a cappella with divisi – 4’
Caritas Chamber Choir commissioned this Ave Maria for their Christmas concert in 2017, and have performed it several times since. All voice parts are divided, and the upper and lower voices are frequently treated as two separate choirs.
Dormi, Jesu (2017) – SSAA a cappella – 2’
The first performance of this lullaby took place in the chapel of St John’s College, Cambridge, sung by the upper voices of Granta Chorale. The piece is constructed from irregularly overlapping simple melodic fragments accompanying a main melody sung in octaves.
What Cheer? Good Cheer! (2017) – Trebles with piano – 2’10”
This exuberant piece was written for SignuptoSing Youth Choir, who premièred it in December 2017 in the Spirit of Christmas concert in Saffron Walden.
A New Year Carol (2016) – Unison vocal line with piano / soloist with piano – 2’20’’
This lively setting of traditional folk words plays with changing time signatures and would suit either unison voices or a solo singer.
Videntes Stellam (2015) – SATB a cappella – 3’
This atmospheric motet describes the arrival of the magi at the nativity and is appropriate for Christmas and Epiphany. Granta Chorale gave the first performance of Videntes Stellam in 2015 at a concert in St Mark’s, Newnham.
Adam lay ybounden (2015) – 1’30’’
This setting was written for Voices of Newnham, who premièred it in Newnham’s Music of the Festive Season concert in 2015. The following year, it was chosen through Dulciana Vocal Ensemble’s Call for Scores, and performed by them in Dublin.
The Angel Gabriel (2012) – SSATB a cappella – 3’30
This setting of Sabine Baring-Gould’s words won the senior category of Saffron Walden Choral Society’s Carol Competition in 2012, and was performed in the concert The Spirit of Christmas.