Accompanied carols

Featuring titles by John Rutter and Sarah Quartel, these carols with piano and organ accompaniment offer fresh arrangements of familiar favourites alongside original new compositions.

Lowell Mason, arr. Ian Crawford

Joy to the world!

In this fun and snappy arrangement of a well-loved Christmas carol, Crawford has breathed new life into the melody using playful alternations between 3/4 and 6/8 metre. The simple vocal lines are underpinned by a supportive, bouncy piano accompaniment.

April 2024

SATB & piano

2.5 mins

Very easy – Easy

Sarah Quartel

All the World with Joyful Sounds

Commissioned by Benenden School to celebrate their centenary in 2024, All the World with Joyful Sounds brings to life a text by Thomas Troeger that tells of angels, joyful singing, and the blessing of peace. While suitable for Christmas, this piece can also be performed at other times of year as a general song of thanksgiving and praise. The organ accompaniment may be adapted to be played on the piano.

April 2024

SSA & organ

4 mins

Very easy

Sarah Quartel

Iesous ahatonnia’

Quartel's arrangement of the Huron Carol, renamed Iesous ahatonnia' to reflect its origins, sets new texts by Wendat poet Andrée Levesque Sioui and invites choirs and audiences to learn from the past while working to shape a better future. The piece may be performed either in English and Wendat or in French and Wendat, and definitions and contextual information for the Wendat terms are provided, alongside an IPA guide by Elizabeth Brodovitch and a fascinating foreword by ethnomusicologist Dr Jeanette Gallant.

April 2024

SATB & piano

4 mins

Easy

John Rutter

I too shall walk to Bethlehem

Setting a text by Marc Bratcher, I too shall walk to Bethlehem depicts a journey to the Bethlehem stable 'where once a child was born', recounting the strength, courage, and heart acquired from the encounters along the way. Unison passages in upper and lower voices move seamlessly into warm homophonic harmonies, with brief moments of divisi. A flowing piano accompaniment provides support during, and interludes between, verses.

November 2023

SATB (with divisions) & piano/orchestra

5 mins

Easy

James Whitbourn

Shchedryk

For his expressive and accessible arrangement of the popular melody known to many as 'Carol of the Bells', Whitbourn has written new lyrics that reflect the melody's true heritage, the Ukrainian folksong Shchedryk. The Ukrainian word 'Shchedryi' means 'bountiful', and the folksong depicts a swallow displaying its goods and predicting a prosperous new year. The piece is presented with a flexible accompaniment that may be adapted to suit the available forces, including piano, organ, or guitar and melody instruments. 

April 2024

SATB & piano/organ/other instruments

2 mins

Easy

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