Christmas and Festive Music

 

Most of the music on these pages is published by Camden Music, London. Many performances are available and samples of these can be heard using the relevant links. Use the links below to jump to the relevant section.

SATB with keyboard (or chamber orchestra)

AWAY IN A MANGER

Carol for SATB (solo tenor) and piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details and Audio

Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire. (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/1P.hp.cel/strings)
Away in a Manger is recorded on Naxos 8.570793

Excerpt from Away In A Manger

 

CALYPSO CAROL

Carol for SATB, optional children’s choir with piano, brass quintet or orchestra

Details & Audio

Calypso Carol is arranged with a ‘latin’ feel and can be performed with or without the children’s choir. The duration is c. 2′ 40″.

Parts for orchestra and chorus are available on hire (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/0.4P.kbd/steel drums (opt)/strings). Parts for brass quintet are also available on hire.

Calypso Carol is recorded by the Joyful Company of Singers and Chaconne Brass.

Excerpt from version with brass quintet

 

CHERRY TREE CAROL (THE)

Carol for SATB (also SSA) and organ (with optional solo flute) or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio

Published by Camden Music. Vocal scores available for sale. Parts for chamber orchestra available on hire (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/1P.hp.cel/strings).

The Cherry Tree Carol has been recorded in both its SATB and High Voice versions with orchestral and instrumental accompaniments, on Naxos 8.570793, Herald HAVPCD299 & Cantoris CRCD6075 (high voices).

Excerpt of SATB version

Excerpt of high voices version

FESTIVE FROLIC

Celebratory piece for SATB and optional junior chorus with symphony orchestra & organ

Details & Audio

Written in something of a minimalist style, Festive Frolic was written in 2006 to celebrate thirty years since the first biennial choral festival given by the London Borough of Redbridge at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It was first performed in the hall under the title Festival Frolic and was conducted by the composer.

Parts for orchestra and chorus are available on hire. (2.2.2.2/4.2.3.1/T.3P.2Kbd.org/strings)
Festive Frolic is recorded on Naxos 8.570793

Excerpt

GAUDETE!

Carol for SATB with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio
A straightforward yet original setting of this popular carol.

Published by Camden Music. Parts for brass quintet or chamber orchestra are available on hire. (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/.1P/strings)

IN EXCELSIS GLORIA

Song for solo soprano with piano or chamber orchestra

Details

A setting of Christmas words written for my friend, the soprano Julia Wilson-James.
Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire for both sets.
(1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/T.2-3P.hp.pfd.cel/strings)

I SAW THREE SHIPS

Carol for SATB with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio
A straightforward yet original setting of this popular carol.

Published by Camden Music. Parts for brass quintet or chamber orchestra are available on hire. (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/.1P/strings)

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

Advent hymn arranged for solo baritone, SATB chorus with organ or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio

An atmospheric start by a solo voice leads to a dramatic last verse with just a hint of Hollywood!

Published by Camden Music. Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire. (1.1.1.1/2.0.0.0/.T1P.hp.(opt org)/strings)
O come, O come Emmanuel is recorded on Naxos 8.570793

Excerpt

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

Arrangement for orchestra with optional SATB chorus and soloist and/or audience participation

Details & Audio

A new arrangement commissioned by Raymond Gubbay Ltd. for its annual nationwide Christmas festival. It can be performed by orchestra alone or with choir and/or audience and/or solo voice for the optional opening verse.

Parts for orchestra and SATB chorus are available on hire (2.2.2.2/4.3.2.1/.T.3P.(hp).strings)
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer is recorded on Naxos 8.570793

Excerpt

SLEEP SWEET BABE! (Dormi Jesu)

Song for solo voice with piano or chamber orchestra . Optional SATB chorus

Details

Based on the slow movement of the Concertino for Celeste, this carol is also available with orchestral accompaniment.
(1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/hp.cel/strings)
Sleep Sweet Babe! is recorded by Mark Wilde with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Naxos 8.570793

Excerpt

SOMERSET CAROL (Come all you worthy gentlemen)

for SATB with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details

The traditional West-Country carol arranged for SATB with accompniment for keyboard, brass quintet or chamber orchestra.
(1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/hp/strings)

Excerpt of version with organ

THREE ‘BAROQUE’ CAROLS

for SATB with piano or brass quintet

1. Past Three O’clock  2. Weford Carol 3. Deck the Hall

Details & Audio

1. Past Three O’clock  Duration c. 3′
2. Wexford Carol. Duration c. 4′
3. Deck the Hall. Duration c. 2′

Published by Camden Music. Parts for brass quintet are available on hire for both sets.

Three ‘Baroque’ Carols are recorded by the Joyful Company of Singers and Chaconne Brass and will be available later in 2019.

Excerpt from Past Three O’clock

 

Excerpt Wexford Carol

 

Excerpt from Deck the hall

 

THREE CAROLS

for SATB (also SS) and solo flute with piano or chamber orchestra

1. Gabriel’s Message  2. Rocking, 3. Angels From The Realms Of Glory

Details & Audio

Published by Camden Music. Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire for both sets (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/T.2-3P.hp.pfd.cel/strings)

Three Carols has been recorded using both the orchestral and instrumental versions, on Naxos 8.570793, Cantoris CRCD6075 (high voice) & Redbridge RRCD1067. Rocking has also been recorded on Herald HAVPCD299. See the recordings page for further details. 

Excerpt from Gabriel’s Message (SATB)

 

Excerpt from Rocking (SATB)

 

Excerpt from Angels From The Realms (SATB)

Excerpt from Gabriel’s Message (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from Rocking (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from Angels From The Realms (High Voices)

 

 

THREE MORE CAROLS

for SATB (also SS) and solo flute with piano or chamber orchestra

1. The Coventry Carol  2. Silent Night  3. In Dulci Jubilo

Details & Audio

Published by Camden Music. Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire for both sets (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/T.2-3P.hp.pfd.cel/strings).
Three More Carols has been recorded with both the orchestral and instrumental accompaniments, on Naxos 8.570793, Cantoris CRCD6075 (high voice) & Redbridge RRCD1067.

High voice/SS arrangements (two equal parts) are also available for both sets. The flute part, whilst desirable for performance, could be played by another, suitable instrument.

Excerpt from The Coventry Carol (SATB)

 

Excerpt from Silent Night (SATB)

 

Excerpt from In Dulci Jubilo (SATB)

 

Excerpt from The Coventry Carol (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from Silent Night (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from In Dulci Jubilo (High Voices)

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE

for SATB, three (optional) solo kings with piano or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio

This arrangement was made for a performance in 2004 at London’s Barbican Hall given by the choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and the English Chamber Orchestra.

Published by Camden Music. Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire. (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/2P.hp(or pno)/strings). It can also be performed with a more classical orchestra (0.2.1.1/2.0.0.0/1P.hp(or pno).org/strings)
We Three Kings of Orient Are is recorded on Naxos 8.570793

Excerpt from We Three Kings

HIGH VOICES with keyboard (or chamber orchestra)

CHERRY TREE CAROL (THE)

Carol for SSA (also SATB) and organ (with optional solo flute) or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio

Published by Camden Music. Vocal scores available for sale. Parts for chamber orchestra available on hire (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/1P.hp.cel/strings).

The Cherry Tree Carol has been recorded in both its SATB and High Voice versions with orchestral and instrumental accompaniments, on Naxos 8.570793, Herald HAVPCD299 & Cantoris CRCD6075 (high voices).

Excerpt of SATB version

Excerpt of high voices version

THREE CAROLS

for SS (also SATB) and solo flute with piano or chamber orchestra

1. Gabriel’s Message  2. Rocking, 3. Angels From The Realms Of Glory

Details & Audio

Published by Camden Music. Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire for both sets (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/T.2-3P.hp.pfd.cel/strings)

Three Carols has been recorded using both the orchestral and instrumental versions, on Naxos 8.570793, Cantoris CRCD6075 (high voice) & Redbridge RRCD1067. Rocking has also been recorded on Herald HAVPCD299. See the recordings page for further details. 

Excerpt from Gabriel’s Message (SATB)

 

Excerpt from Rocking (SATB)

 

Excerpt from Angels From The Realms (SATB)

Excerpt from Gabriel’s Message (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from Rocking (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from Angels From The Realms (High Voices)

 

 

THREE MORE CAROLS

for SS (also SATB) and solo flute with piano or chamber orchestra

1. The Coventry Carol  2. Silent Night  3. In Dulci Jubilo

Details & Audio

Published by Camden Music. Parts for chamber orchestra are available on hire for both sets (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/T.2-3P.hp.pfd.cel/strings).
Three More Carols has been recorded with both the orchestral and instrumental accompaniments, on Naxos 8.570793, Cantoris CRCD6075 (high voice) & Redbridge RRCD1067.

High voice/SS arrangements (two equal parts) are also available for both sets. The flute part, whilst desirable for performance, could be played by another, suitable instrument.

Excerpt from The Coventry Carol (SATB)

 

Excerpt from Silent Night (SATB)

 

Excerpt from In Dulci Jubilo (SATB)

 

Excerpt from The Coventry Carol (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from Silent Night (High Voices)

 

Excerpt from In Dulci Jubilo (High Voices)

TWO MICHAELMAS CAROL ANTHEMS

for high voices (SS), oboe and keyboard

1. Crowns of Gold  2. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 

Details & Audio

These two short pieces are written for two, equal high voice parts. They have an oboe obbligato part which could be played by another instrument, if preferred. They are ideally suited to piano accompaniment. Crowns of Gold is in a catchy 7/8 time and It Came upon a Midnight Clear is in a Calypso style.

Published by Camden Music.

Two Michaelmas Carol Anthems has been recorded on Cantoris CRCD6075 & Redbridge RRCD1067. See the recordings page for full details. 

Excerpt from Crowns of Gold

 

Excerpt from It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

SATB or SSA with brass quintet, keyboard (or chamber orchestra)

CALYPSO CAROL

Carol for SATB, optional children’s choir with piano, brass quintet or orchestra

Details & Audio

Calypso Carol is arranged with a ‘latin’ feel and can be performed with or without the children’s choir. The duration is c. 2′ 40″.

Parts for orchestra and chorus are available on hire (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/0.4P.kbd/steel drums (opt)/strings). Parts for brass quintet are also available on hire.

Calypso Carol is recorded by the Joyful Company of Singers and Chaconne Brass.

Excerpt from version with brass quintet

 

IN DULCI JUBILO (from Three More Carols)

Carol for SATB (also SS) with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details

In dulci jubilo is published as part of the set ‘Three More Carols’. This title and Rocking (from Three Carols) can be performed with brass quintet and parts are available on hire.

In dulci jubilo is recorded by the Joyful Company of Singers with Chaconne Brass and will be available in later in 2019.

Excerpt from version with brass quinet (from CD ‘A Windy Christmas’)

I SAW THREE SHIPS

Carol for SATB with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio

A straightforward yet original setting of this popular carol.

Published by Camden Music. Parts for brass quintet or chamber orchestra are available on hire. (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/.1P/strings

Excerpt coming soon

Audio Player

 

ROCKING

Carol for SATB (also SS) with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details & Audio

Rocking is published as part of the set ‘Three Carols’. This title and In dulci jubilo (from Three More Carols can be performed with brass quintet and parts are available on hire.

Rocking is recorded by the Joyful Company of Singers with Chaconne Brass and will be available in later in 2019.

Excerpt of version with brass quintet (from CD ‘A Windy Christmas’)

SOMERSET CAROL (Come all you worthy gentlemen)

for SATB with piano, brass quintet or chamber orchestra

Details

The traditional West-Country carol arranged for SATB with accompniment for keyboard, brass quintet or chamber orchestra.
(1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/hp/strings)

Excerpt from version with organ

THREE ‘BAROQUE’ CAROLS

for SATB with piano or brass quintet

1. Past Three O’clock  2. Weford Carol 3. Deck the Hall

Details & Audio

1. Past Three O’clock  Duration c. 3′
2. Wexford Carol. Duration c. 4′
3. Deck the Hall. Duration c. 2′

Published by Camden Music. Parts for brass quintet are available on hire for both sets.

Three ‘Baroque’ Carols are recorded by the Joyful Company of Singers and Chaconne Brass and will be available later in 2019.

Excerpt from Past Three O’clock

 

Excerpt Wexford Carol

 

Excerpt from Deck the hall

 

FESTIVE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

A CHRISTMAS CARILLON

Christmas recessional for organ based on the carol, ‘In dulci jubilo’

Details & Audio

Christmas recessional for organ based on the Christmas carol In Dulci Jubilo.

A Christmas Carillon is recorded by Richard Moore in Brentwood Cathedral and will be released in 2019.

Excerpt

A WINDY CHRISTMAS

Festive Cracker for wind or brass quintet

Details & Audio

A Windy Christmas is a festive piece for wind or brass quintet. Its duration is 7′ 30″ or 4′ 25″ with the printed cut. It is available for either Wind Quintet or Brass Quintet.

A Windy Christmas is recorded by the Aurora Ensemble and will be released in 2019.

Excerpt from Wind Quintet version

 

Excerpt from Brass Quintet version

ADVENT DANCES

Dance Variations for trumpet and organ based on the Advent hymn ‘Veni Immanuel’ 

Details & Audio

Advent Dances, for trumpet and organ, is a set of dance variations based on the Advent hymn: O come, O come Immanuel — Veni Immanuel. The duration is a little over 9′.

Advent Dances is recorded by Illumina Duo and will be released in 2019.

Excerpt from Advent Dances

CHRISTMAS MUDLEY

A miscellany of popular carols arranged as a fantasy for two pianos | piano duet | brass quintet | piano & brass band | piano and brass quintet | brass band | symphony orchestra

Details & Audio

This piece was originally written for a Christmas edition of Radio 2’s long-lamented piano recital programme ‘At the Piano’. The first performance was given by Roderick Elms and John Alley from the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios. The ‘Mudley’ is also available arranged for piano duet, solo piano & brass, piano and brass quintet, brass band and symphony orchestra.

The featured tunes are: The Sussex Carol, Silent Night, Deck the Halls, The Twelve Days of Christmas & Here We Come A-wassailing.

Excerpt from piano duet version

Composite of all available version

 

Épiphany

Concert piece for organ based on favourite hymns tunes from the period of Epiphany, dur. c. 10 mins

Details & Audio

Concert piece for organ based on the Advent hymn tune ‘Helmsley’.

Excertps from Épiphany

FANTASY VARIATIONS ON THE HYMN TUNE ‘HELMSLEY’

Concert piece for organ based on the popular Advent hymn tune ‘Helsmley’, dur. c. 9 mins

Details & Audio

Concert piece for organ based on the Advent hymn tune ‘Helmsley’.

Excerpts from Fantasy Variations

 

HOLLY’S NIGHTMARE

Nocturnal diversions for brass or wind quintet based on ‘The Holly and the Ivy’

Details & Audio

Holly’s Nightmare, nocturnal diversions for brass or wind quintet, is based on the carol The Holly and the Ivy. The duration is around 5′. It was written for the Aurora Ensemble.

Holly’s Nightmare is recorded by the Aurora Ensemble on the CD ‘A Windy Christmas’.

Excerpt

SAILS AT DAWN

for oboe and piano based on the carol ‘I saw three ships’

Details & Audio

Sails at Dawn, based on the carol I saw three ships, was written for the oboist John Anderslon who recorded it in partnership with the pianist Joanna Smith. The duration is around 5′.

Sails at Dawn is recorded by John Anderson and Joanna Smith and will be released in 2019.

Excerpt

ORCHESTRAL (with or without soloist)

CHRISTMAS MUDLEY

A miscellany of popular carols arranged as a fantasy for two pianos | piano duet | brass quintet | piano & brass band | piano and brass quintet | brass band | symphony orchestra

Details & Audio

This piece was originally written for a Christmas edition of Radio 2’s long-lamented piano recital programme ‘At the Piano’. The first performance was given by Roderick Elms and John Alley from the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios. The ‘Mudley’ is also available arranged for piano duet, solo piano & brass, piano and brass quintet, brass band and symphony orchestra.

The featured tunes are: The Sussex Carol, Silent Night, Deck the Halls, The Twelve Days of Christmas & Here We Come A-wassailing.

Excerpt from piano duet version

Composite of all available version

 

FANFARE DA FESTA

Short seasonal fanfare for either symphony orchestra or brass, organ, celeste & percussion

Details & Audio

Fanfare da festa is scored for brass (4,3,2,1) with percussion, celeste and organ.

There is an alternative version for symphony orchestra without organ.

Fanfare da festa contains references to a number of carols. It has a slightly Latin American flavour to the middle section and ends in a ‘grand manner’. It last about 1′ 10″ and received its first performance in The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester in December 2001 by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell. The Fanfare ends in D major making it a suitable Prelude to a great many Christmas pieces starting in G!

Fanfare da Festa is recorded on Naxos 8.570793 

Excerpt

NOEL!

Festive Romp for organ & orchestra

Details & Audio

This piece is scored for brass (4,3,2,1) with percussion, celeste and organ.

This short Christmas piece contains references to a number of carols. It has a slightly Latin American flavour to the middle section and ends in a ‘grand manner’. It last about 1′ 10″ and received its first performance in The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester in December 2001 by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell. The Fanfare ends in D major making it a suitable Prelude to a great many Christmas pieces starting in G!

Fanfare da Festa is recorded on Naxos 8.570793 

Excerpt

WASSAIL DOWN THE WIND

Suite of “Three Drinking songs for organist & Orchestra”

1. The Boar’s Head, Coventry  2. Merry Gents  3. Wassailing In The Dark

Details & Audio

This suite of seasonally influenced pieces was written to allow the organist an opportunity to shine in his/her own right and show off some of the features of this wonderful instrument.
The piece is scored for symphony orchestra (pic.1.2.1.B.cl.1.C.Fg/4.2.3.1/T.3P/Hp.strings) and solo organ.

Orchestral material is available on hire.

1. The Boar’s Head, Coventry
A lively and dramatic dance movement based on the Coventry Carol which reaches a climax with references by way of the Boar’s Head Carol. It affords many opportunities for the organist to display the power of the instrument,

2. Merry Gents
A rather satirically slow and lugubrious re-working of the melody for “God rest you merry, gentlemen”. The organist is able to show off some of the more characterful sounds of the organ.

3. Wassailing in the Dark
The third movement was written for the BBC Concert Orchestra in its 50th anniversary year. It is based on the carol “Here we come a Wassailing”.

Wassail Down the Wind is recorded by Stuart Nicholson on Naxos 8.570793 

Excerpt from The Boar’s Head

Excerpt from Merry Gents

Excerpt from Wassailing in the Dark

Copyright © 2019 Roderick Elms Music. All rights reserved.