The Church Music Society
Registered Charity No. 1200306
President: The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham
New Publications
David Trendell, Preces & Responses
Much admired as a scholar and choral conductor, the late David Trendell composed these Preces & Responses for SATB when he was Organ Scholar of Exeter College, Oxford, c.1985. Recently rediscovered they reflect his consummate musicianship and liturgical sensitivity, and deserve a place amongst the most frequently performed modern settings.
Martindale Sidwell, Three Carol Arrangements
This publication brings to light three charming and highly effective carol arrangements by one of the late 20th century’s leading British choral directors, Martindale Sidwell. I Saw Three Ships is for SATB and organ, and Stille Nacht (also with English text) and The Holly and the Ivy are for unaccompanied SATB. All are based on the familiar melodies.
Rupert Jeffcoat, Missa Verbum supernum & Tantum Ergo
This attractive and concise setting of the Mass (without Creed) has flexible scoring, being for 2-part choir (upper and lower voices), or SATB, and organ. The vocal lines are based on plainchant, whilst the organ part provides rich harmonies in the twentieth-century French style. The communion motet Tantum ergo is also for 2-part choir and organ. Rupert Jeffcoat is a Scottish organist and composer. He read Music at St Catharine's College, Cambridge and studied with Peter le Huray and Peter Hurford. A prizewinner at FRCO, he also holds a PhD in Composition, and was for several years Director of Music at Coventry Cathedral and St John's Cathedral Brisbane. He has broadcast on the BBC, works regularly with Ex Cathedra, and is Organist of St Luke's Church, Chelsea which delights in a magnificent 1932 Compton organ.
This fine Respond by Thomas Tallis is scored for SATTBarB, with the chant placed in the 2nd Tenor part. Intended for the Feast of Corpus Christi, it can be sung at any Eucharistic service, either as a straight-through motet or alternating with chant as in the original Respond format. This issue is the latest addition to our series of Great 16th-c. Responds edited by Sally Dunkley.
This atmospheric and powerful Advent anthem is composed for SATB choir and organ, with a separate Soprano semi-chorus, and is ideal for institutions with two upper-voice choirs, one of which can (optionally) sing the opening of their part whilst on the move. The text combines the Advent antiphon ‘O Key of David’ with words by William Blake, presenting two complementary metaphors for the season of Advent, both conveying a powerful sense of movement: being led by the golden string, or by means of the key, opening the gate leading from death and captivity to freedom in the heavenly Jerusalem. The work was composed for the Choir of Portsmouth Cathedral in 1997.
Louisa Bagot, If we believe that Jesus died
This delightful verse anthem by Louisa Bagot was performed at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and Canterbury Cathedral during the 19th century. It contains verses for SAB and SATB, a Bass aria 'And God shall wipe away all tears', and concludes with a rousing chorus 'Hosanna to the Son of David' for SSATB. It is particularly suitable for performance at Easter, Advent and at memorials. For more information, see Music by women composers performed at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and Canterbury Cathedral during the 19th century.
Preces & Responses (Vol. 2), ed. G. Webber
This collection of Preces & Responses follows on from Shaw's classic 'Tudor' volume, with later settings by Gibbons & Barnard (SAATB), William Child (SAATB), Richard Ayleward (SATB, in D major), John Reading (SATB) and Thomas Ebdon (SATB, with optional organ), all in new editions and reconstructions. The Child set (comprising Preces by Child and Responses after the Creed supplied by the editor based on the Psalm attached to Child's Preces) is published here for the first time, and the Reading set is completely different after the Creed from the previously available version since it presents Reading's original Responses rather than an adaptation from his Litany.
Throughout the collection the Minister's part is placed in the treble clef, and optional rhythmical versions have been given in two sets. The volume also includes settings of the Lord's Prayer by John Farmer and Richard Allison, and Final Amens by Gibbons and Mundy.
Jack Redman, May the Mind of Christ
This short anthem or introit by Jack Redman uses verses from Kate B. Wilkinson's touching hymn 'May the mind of Christ my Saviour', first published in 1925. Scored for SATB, it may be sung unaccompanied or with light organ accompaniment, with the lower voices humming in the second verse. The work was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4's 'Sunday Worship' in 2018.
William Child, O Lord, grant the King a long life, ed. G. Webber
Issued to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, this verse anthem by William Child for SSAATTBB and organ was composed for King Charles II in 1660-3, and is published here for the first time. It contains solo sections for S, A and B with lively interpretations of the text, as well as richly harmonised full sections and a rousing double-choir conclusion. For further anthems sung as prayers for a former King Charles, see the full anthem by William Byrd, O Lord make thy servant, and the verse anthem by Orlando Gibbons, Grant, O Holy Trinity, available via the Music Downloads page.
Solemn Notes of Sweetest Sound, ed. Rachel Webber
Following the publication of Jane Savage’s Christmas anthem Whilst shepherds watch’d their flocks by night (CMS RS149) composed for the Asylum for Female Orphans, this ground-breaking anthology brings together ten works by men and women composers from publications issued by the Charity Institutions of Georgian London in the period 1729-1804. The music is scored for one or two upper voices featuring solo, duet, semi-chorus and tutti combinations, with organ accompaniment, and one anthem was composed specifically to be sung by boys and girls in alternation and together. The anthems have been selected to provide performance options across the liturgical year, and are varied in length. Composers include the famous organists John Stanley and William Russell, together with Maria Barthelemon and her husband François-Hippolyte Barthélemon who provided an English arrangement of a popular Italian psalm setting by Benedetto Marcello.
John Sheppard, Reges Tharsis, ed. Sally Dunkley
Another issue in our series of great 16th-century Responds, John Sheppard’s Reges Tharsis is for the season of Epiphany, celebrating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. The music is scored for SATTBarB and alternates plainchant and polyphony. The cover image is a woodcut dating from around the time of the composition.
Christopher Ouvry-Johns, Litany to the Holy Spirit
This setting by Christopher Ouvry-Johns of verses from Robert Herrick’s poem ‘Litany to the Holy Spirit’ for SATB and organ is suitable for Pentecost and for general use. The composer skilfully explores the poet’s depiction of a soul in distress, and seeking comfort from the Holy Spirit.
Buying CMS Editions
To order Church Music Society editions please browse the Catalogue and click on the links provided for each item to take you to the relevant page of the Oxford University Press website. Here you can purchase copies and also find further information about each publication, including images of the cover and a sample page. Recent issues are also available as digital downloads from OUP's digital retail partners, including Chimes Music, where complete sample copies may be perused. You can also click here to find all CMS titles listed alphabetically by title on the OUP website.
Individual and corporate members of the Church Music Society may obtain a 25% discount on all purchases via Banks Music Publications by presenting the required code at the online Checkout.
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