The Church Music Society
Registered Charity No. 290309
President: The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham
Welcome
The CMS exists to promote the use of church music of the highest quality for the diverse needs of the Christian Church.
We seek to enable performers and worship leaders, composers and scholars, by publishing church music, new and old, not otherwise commercially available, and by providing a platform for research and educational material.
New publishers for the CMS
The CMS is delighted to announce a major new partnership with the Royal School of Church Music. From Monday 2 March, the RSCM will become the exclusive publisher for all CMS titles. The CMS membership discount will be available online through the RSCM Music Shop: see ‘Catalogue’ page and 'Buying CMS editions' for details.
Pictured at the agreement signing are (l. to r.): Hugh Morris (RSCM Director), Prof. Patrick Russill (CMS Chairman) and Tim Ruffer (RSCM Head of Publishing).
News and Updates
The CMS is delighted to reveal its first four new publications under the new relationship with the RSCM, shown under New publications. Marking the centenary this year of the death of Charles Wood, his Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in A flat for SATB and organ appears in print for the first time, and a new edition has been issued of his early 8-part anthem O Lord, rebuke me not. Philip Moore's anthem The Soul's Desire is based on Wood's hymn tune 'Armagh'. Sally Dunkley has edited the motet Salva nos, Domine by Thomas Lupo (d. 1627), suitable for use at Compline or Evensong.
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Forthcoming Publications
The next release will also mark the Wood centenary, being the Latin Nunc dimittis in A minor, the companion setting to that in B flat already published by the CMS. This will be edited by Jeremy Dibble, whose new book on Charles Wood is being released shortly. Further issues include the anthems Hail, gladdening light by T. A. Walmisley and Lord, thou art become gracious by Daniel Roseingrave, another setting of the Compline text Salva nos Domine, this time by Alfonso Ferrabosco, and a collection of Restoration-period music for upper voices.
Free Music Downloads
New material added to Music Downloads includes several classic 'Renaissance' motets which appear in tandem with the newly added paper by Patrick Russill (see below). Harley Jones has provided editions of many of the unpublished English Preces from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as an edition of an Evening Service for men's voices and organ by former Ely Cathedral Organist Archibald Wilson (1869-1950).
Lectures and Papers
Three new items have recently been added to the Lectures and Papers section.
1) The address given by former CMS Chairman Ian Curror at the 2025 AGM: 'Simon Lindley – Remembered and Celebrated'.
2) A submitted paper by current Chairman Patrick Russill entitled 'Renaissance 'classics' for SATB: rediscovered or invented in the 19th-century polyphonic revival?' This tackles head on many of the myths and unanswered questions surrounding several of the most popular Latin motets sung today; new editions have been made available on the Music Downloads page.
3) The General Editor's study of the Alternative Canticles at Evensong now reaches part iii, covering the period 1750-1837, including the earliest orchestral setting, by Thomas Attwood.
Please read our ‘Membership’ page and consider taking up the benefits of becoming a member of the Society.
Please visit our ‘Catalogue’ page, through which you can order our titles from our publisher, the Royal School of Church Music, and for information on 25% discount if a Society member.
