British Choirs on the Net

This is a new free listing for composers, and lyricists, of new choral music or arrangements, either in preparation or ready for performance.

Please forward any details Phillip Tolley

 


Allan Bevan  (b. 1951, Toronto, Canada) is a graduate of the School of Music, the University of Windsor, and holds a Mmus degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta and a PhD in Composition from the University of Calgary. His choral music has won awards in many national and international choral composition events including the 2002 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition, sponsored by Choirs Ontario. He is a three-time winner in the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors' Composition Competition (1999, 2001, 2003).Visit his web site at www.allanbevan.ca

Alan Bullard's choral music is published by OUP, Novello and many others and is performed all over the world. It ranges from large scale cantatas to short carols, anthem and works for young voices. Full details are available from the web-site

Alan Smith is an award-winning composer specialising in choral music.  His work, much of it published in both the UK and America, is regularly performed in churches and cathedrals throughout Britain and abroad.  His pieces range from large scale (for example, he is just completing a Mass setting for St Woolos' Cathedral) to short unaccompanied items and he has written music which is suitable for choirs of all abilities.  For further details, please contact the composer by e-mail: alan@smith22d.fsnet.co.uk or visit his website: http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/alansmith

Andrew Goddard is a Fellow of the London College of Music and has been composing for over forty years.   A book of new Christmas Carols called 'Christmas for Choirs, Book 1' has just been released for SATB choirs containing ten pieces.  Further choral pieces for male voice, mixed voice and ladies choirs is available from Westcountry Music Ltd.    Andrew won the Questor's Choir New Christmas Carol Composing Competition prize in November 2005 with his setting of 'Rise up, Shepherd, and Follow'.  He also won the Composition prize held as part of the second British International Male Voice Choir Festival in Cornwall, in April 2005 with his piece entitled 'A Hymn for Cornwall'. In 2006 he repeated his Carol composition success with 'Follow the Star (or Dilyn y Seren in welsh) with won a competition organised by welsh telecvision SC4 and the Daily Post newspaper.. The winning carol was sung by Bryn Terfel and a 30 strongh choir in Cardiff in a subsequent broadcast.    For more information visit www.westcountry-music.co.uk


Andrew Downes won a choral scholarship to St. John’s College, Cambridge (in 1969), where he gained an MA degree specialising in composition; and in 1974 went on to study with Herbert Howells at the Royal College of Music.  He is now Head of the School of Composition and Creative Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire.  He has composed a large number of works for Sacred Services and High Voices. Details of all his music, including critical appraisals and sound samples, can be found at www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~downlyn. Scores of his Sacred Music,both accompanied and unaccompanied, including I Will Lift up mine Eyes unto the Hills, In Peace I will Lie Down and Sleep, The Lord is my Shepherd, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, O Love the Lord all ye His Saints, Motet and Mass O Magnum Mysterium, O Praise the Lord, Preces and Responses (2 sets, 1986 and 1997), Coventry Carol/Veni Emmanuel (arrangements) can be viewed by visiting the website of the British Music Information Centre at: http://www.bmic.co.uk/collection/searchform.asp  type “Downes” in Composer Box,, click “submit”,  then look down the alphabetical list of pieces, and click on the relevant treble clef on the RH of the page. Otherwise visit www.andrewdownes.com

Anthony Marshall. I write contrapuntal music, so far, primarily for choirs and in the 'Alla Capella' style. Details available from
abmossview@tiscali.co.uk

Bernard Hughes has written and arranged several works for choir, including commissions from the BBC Singers and the New London Children's Choir. Pieces for children’s choir include the widely-performed Nonsense Songs. More information at www.bernardhughes.co.uk.

Brian Blyth Daubney is a Lincolnshire composer who has written a considerable amount of choral music both 'a cappella' and with organ accompaniment. Much of it is suitable for church use and several extended pieces (Stabat Mater, Requiem and Six Psalms) are ideal for concert performance. Please contact brian@blyth96.fsnet.co.uk for further details.

Chris Gordon has written 2 works for choir. The first is a setting (SATB) of Thomas Hardy's short poem 'The Fallow Deer'. The second is a setting of Ted Hughes's poem 'October Dawn' for SSAATB. Both are a cappella. Chris works as a composer, writer on music and music publisher. He owns Cool Wind Music - which is distributed by www.freehandmusic.com - the largest online digital sheet music seller in the world. He also has orchestrated 2 rare songs by Alban Berg which have been published by Universal Edition, Vienna. Further details and copies of the scores to both works from: cgordoncwm@gmail.com

Chris Hutchings is a composer from Scotland, currently studying for a PhD at Glasgow University (specialising in writing music for voices). Recent successes include several performances by Glasgow University Chapel Choir, including a commission for Christmas 2007 "Rorate Coeli De Super", funded by the Britten-Pears Trust, and upcoming performances by Scottish Voices and Tongue Stuff (London) of "La Belle Dame Sans Merci". His compositions have won the John McLeod Award 2001 and the Temple Church Composition Prize 2002, and he has received funding from the St Magnus Festival Trust and from the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust. For further details, sample compositions and/or a sample CD of Chris' work, please email him at hutchingsmusic@hotmail.com or visit www.hutchingsmusic.co.uk

Chris Long has recently  been working with the City of Birmingham Choir as composer in residence, under a year long project run by the Performing Rights Society , Making Music and spnm. The result of this scheme is a new 10 -15 minute work for choir and orchestra
which was recently performed at Symphony Hall by the City of Birmingham Choir and the CBSO. The piece is for SATB choir (with S2 and A2 in places) and orchestra (percussion, strings and brass). The work takes excerpts from the requiem mass and places them alongside an anonymous prayer found at Ravensbruck concentration camp. The piece is a universal prayer of forgiveness and remembrance. For more detail visit www.chrislong.org.uk or email chris_a_long@hotmail.com

Chris Tradgett has been an amateur musician for longer than he cares to remember; now chiefly singing in St George's church choir in Cullercoats, Tyne & Wear UK. He has been composing for a few years now with a small selection of pieces for a range of musical abilities. He has a variety of compositions for instrumental ensembles and choral groups. Pieces can also be supplied edited for specific requirements - just contact him to discuss. Email chris.tradgett@blueyonder.co.uk or visit www.music-room.freewebspace.com

Christopher Maxim (b.1971) composes in a variety of genres, including sacred choral music, secular choral music, instrumental music and songs. Some of his sacred choral pieces are published by the Royal School of Church Music (www.rscm.com), while other works are published by Stainer & Bell (www.stainer.co.uk), including his popular organ piece, 'Toccata Nuptiale'.  Other compositions may be heard, seen and purchased on the Sibelius Website (http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/chrismaxim1).  Many of Chris's pieces have received several public performances, often in prestigious venues such as cathedrals.  His motet 'Felix namque' was performed in August 2006 by the Latvian Radio Choir at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival.  Chris welcomes commissions for choral pieces and other music.  To find out more, please visit his website (www.christophermaxim.co.uk).

Daniel Bath, a graduate in music from Clare College, Cambridge, composer of much vocal music and choral director for Calderdale Schools' Music Service has composed a new cantata for children's choir. It is a colourfully dramatic setting of Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott" - about 23 minutes' duration and scored for upper voices in 1, 2 or 3 parts with soprano soloist with harpsichord and guitar accompaniment. It was premiered in July 2003 and is eager to be performed again. The composer is more than happy to make arrangements for other forces on demand. Contact: danielbath@talk21.com

David F Golightly has composed a number of pieces for professional vocal ensembles. Rites of Passage is six settings of Puskin poems in English while the Frontiers arrangements are American folk songs for choir and piano. Commissioned by The Soglasie Choir of St Petersburg to write a mass for St Petersburg the work was premiered in 1994 and received a ten minute standing ovation. David's music is published by Modrana Music Publishers Ltd who have a active policy of helping choirs and ensembles perform Modrana publications. David recently composed an SATB setting of The Lord's Prayer. See web site www.modranamusicpromotions.com

David Meacock has produced a variety of arrangements of both sacred and secular choral music, as well as original compositions and reduced orchestrations of Verdi Requiem, Elgar The Dream of Gerontius and Parry I was Glad. See the Compositions and Arrangements page of www.davidmeacock.com for more details.

David Perkins is a composer of choral and theatre music. To date he has written four choral works: Mass, Elegy, Song of Psalms and Re:Creation. See http://www.dp-music.co.uk/choral.html. Re:Creation, his longest and most ambitious work to date, received its premiere in Guildford in June 2007. It is now hoped that other choirs will perform this work in the build up to its London premiere at St John's Smith Square in 2009. He has had several children's musicals published including Shake, Ripple & Roll, Skool & Crossbones, Arabian Nights, The Selfish Giant and The Happy Prince. These and other shows are regularly performed by schools and youth theatre companies in the UK and throughout the world. More information can be found at http://www.dp-music.co.uk/musicals.html

Deborah Mason is seeking a London based British Choir to premiere her new Oratorio "The Rape of the Lock" based on Alexander Pope's poetic masterpiece. The work is scored for 4 - 5 soloists, SATB chorus and chamber orchestra and lasts about 2 hours 20 minutes. It takes its influences from Purcell and other Baroque composers and, like Dido and Aeneas, it can also be staged with 3 principle roles, 6 secondary roles, chorus, dancers and a dog!. The work has received a favourable review as a 'work in progress' at a partial premiere in New York. Sample scores and midi recordings are available. If interested please email Debmason1@aol.com     

Gabriel Jackson has composed a number of substantial works for choirs, notably Cecilia Virgo and A Vision of Aeroplanes both premiered by the BBC Singers. For further information visit www.bmic.co.uk/alias/gabrieljackson or  www.oup.co.uk/music/repprom/jackson

Geoffrey Dale is a Portsmouth based composer and is currently writing 3 Shakespeare Sonnets for SATB. Already composed are 3 Dylan Thomas setting for SSAATTBB, as well as a Nunc Dimittus for Choir and Organ. Two new pieces have recently been published by Canasg Music - on the web. These are 'Hark how all the Welkin Rings' (Christmas Carol) for SATB and Keybaord Accpt; and 'She moved through the fair'  (SATB arrangement for small choir of old Irish song). The music can be purchased through www.canasg.com/canasgnew3.htm. More details of Geoff's work can be found here...

Greg Bartholomew's music has been performed across the United States and in Canada, Europe and Australia. His choral works have been performed by such ensembles as Seattle Pro Musica, The Esoterics, the Oregon Repertory Singers, Octarium, Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble, and the Oratorio Society of Minnesota. The Ars Brunensis Chorus recording of his choral settings From the Odes of Solomon is available on CD by Capstone Records. Connecticut Choral Arts (Concora) released The 21st Century (A Girl Born in Afghanistan) on their 2007 CD "Songs and Stories of Liberation." Bartholomew has sung since 1991 with Seattle Pro Musica, an award-winning critically-acclaimed choral ensemble. To listen to performances of his works, visit www.gregbartholomew.com

Gwyn Arch as well as his work as a Musical Director of South Chiltern Choral Society, Gwyn Arch is also a very successful arranger of choral music, with nearly a hundred of his arrangements being published by Faber Music in the last ten years - music for youth choirs and upper voice groups, and including 17 of the 40 arrangements in the highly-successful Faber Carol Book. He also contributes significantly to the catalogue of a leading German publisher as well as publishing his own catalogue of arrangements for Male voice choirs (Grove Music). ...email

Ian Schofield having just completed a commission for Hampshire Recorder Orchestra, is currently writing Sing Alleluia for Petersfield Festival 2006. Ian  is currently is a senior tutor and lecturer at South Downs College.  He has written two sets of Christmas carols:  Illuminare Jerusalem (pub: Oecumuse), Bendicamus Domino.  His first major choral work: Fire From Heaven, has received five performances by delighted choirs. His Te Deum for SATB chorus, children's choir and orchestra, will receive its second performance by Basingstoke Choral Society in July 2005.  Other works include:  Magnificat & Nunc Dimitis, Messa Martellata, Cantate Domino, Lauda Sion, as well as a concerto for two flutes, children's cantatas, and songs for soprano and bass voices. (Publications are by Caddy Publishing www.CaddyPublishing.co.uk unless otherwise stated.)

James Archer is an accomplished composer having written many pieces of music for choral groups and instrumentalists.  He has also composed his first Symphonic Poem and children's musical, 'Travelling Light' based on the life of St. Paul on the road to Damascus. His Eucharist setting is now complete and information about it can be found on this site. His board game - Cantabile - is designed to help in the training of choristers by coming up with fun questions and answers on notation, church history etc, etc. He has written several works for church resulting in performances in San Diego, New Jersey and Adelaide. More details can be obtained from his web site www.jarcher.com

James Bryce is a Scottish Based composer whose work covers a wide range of genres. In 2002 SPNM shortlisted his choral work "Four Odes After Rumi" based on the text of four odes by the 13th Century Sufi mystic Jalalludin Rumi, scored for two choirs (SATB) and three trombones. Futher details can be found on the SPNM website  

James Lavino studied at The Juilliard School and at Yale University, and his music has been broadcast and performed across four continents. Among his compositions are several unaccompanied sacred choral works in a style that draws on the legacy of Britten, Finzi, and Howells. He has just been commissioned to compose a Magnificat/Nunc Dimitis setting for an American choir. More information, and copies of these works, can be obtained by e-mailing Dixon and Hughes Music Publishers


James Patten, former Professor of Composition at Trinity College of Music (1965-1970). His choral music includes a Stabat Mater for SATB and string orchestra, Mass for St John for soloists, SATB and Orchestra, plus smaller works (motets, spirituals and Lent Carols. More information is available from his website

Jana Rowland, graduated with a master's degree in electroacoustic composition in 2001 from UEA Norwich, writing a final one hour choral and electroacoustic piece called The Logic and The Miracle, performed at Norwich Cathedral in 2000. In 2005 I had three choral songs performed at Snape Maltings with English Sinfonietta. I have composed a Requiem, and other religious works as well as settings of poems by A.A.Milne (The Wrong House) and Spike Milligan songs. I compose for Wenhaston Girls Choir (whom I direct). email: jana@ambientclassical.com Website shows album and theatre credits in greater detail!

Jean Hasse was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 1958, and graduated from Oberlin College Conservatory, Ohio, specialising in piano, conducting and instrumental music education; she then did graduate work and teaching at Cleveland State University. She moved to London in December 1994 and works as a composer, pianist and publisher. Choral compositions include 'Four Songs from the Japanese' for unaccompanied chorus, 'The French Lesson' for treble choir and piano and 'What do I want for Christmas' for treble choir and piano (or harp). The last two pieces were performed by the Bromley Boy Singers. For more detail visit. www.visible-music.com

Jenny Lisk is a composer, just finishing a MMus in composition at the Guildhall School of Music. Jenny has composed carols, song collections and choral/theatre music as well as non vocal chamber music, and has had her work performed by Bath Spa University College, Bristol Chamber Choir and the Takacs String Quartet.. More details can be obtained be emailing Jenny Lisk

Jil Bartley is a composer living and working in France. Jil completed Requiem, a choral/orchestral work with two soloists using the original latin mass text (about 28 mins in performance). Requiem received a succesful premiere in Nice, followed by performances in Monaco Cathedral, Vence Cathedral and at the Summer International Festival, Krakow, Poland. Jil is looking for performances in the U.K. CD available plus list of other works. email. jil.bartley@free.fr 

John Davison made an SATB arrangement of the Somerset folk song O Waly Waly, originally as a gift for an American choir who were visiting Southwark Cathedral one day when he wandered in there, but now he can't track them down.  If there is a British choir who like English pastoral stuff he would be happy to send them a copy.  For details please email John Davison

John Marlow Rhys, winner of the 2000 International Composers Prize in Budapest, Hungary, has written a 4/5 minutes piece called "Resonemus Laudibus" for SATB and organ. The piece is somewhat 'minimalist' and benefits from a resonant ambience. Details of this and other choral works are available from the composer's website

John Pitts - Winner of the Philharmonia Orchestra Martin Musical Scholarship Fund Composition Award 2003 and SPNM shortlisted composer from Bristol, with various anthems and other Christian music are available online to see, hear and buy from http://pitts.listen.to or contact johnpitts@blueyonder.co.uk  

Kim Kirkman has composed pop songs for choirs, children's music for choirs and Church Music, including a Salve Regina. For more information email kimkirkman73@hotmail.com

Laurence Hughes is a composer who has written a lot of choral music - some of which has been performed by the BBC Singers, The New London Childrens' Choir, The New London Collegium, Highgate Choral Society, The Arcadian Singers of Oxford University and others, and has been broadcast on BBC Radio and TV. Works range from songs for children, through church music, to larger pieces like his Requiem and 'On The Morning of Christ's Nativity' for choir and orchestra. You can view, play through and download his music

at http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/lah/


Martin Read's music has been performed by numerous choirs - incl Bath Bach Choir, Bath Camerata, The Holst Singers & Winchester Cathedral Choir. Much of his Christmas music, including a setting of Wendy Cope's The Christmas Life,  is published by Banks. More details

Michael Short studied music at Morley College and London University and in 1966 won a Mendelssohn Scholarship to study composition in Italy with Goffredo Petrassi and in London with Sir Lennox Berkeley. He recently completed a Celebration Ode for chorus and orchestra, commissioned and first performed by the Hastings Philharmonic Choir conducted by Shirley Carey.  A couple of  recent works have been published by Roberton (now distributed by Goodmusic)  They are Three Shakespeare Songs, and A Wedding Song, both for unaccompanied SATB. He is also working on a large-scale cantata based on the life and work of Galileo Galilei, scored for narrator, chorus, small ('motet') choir, string quartet, and orchestra.  Anyone interested in putting on a performance of this work, which requires a large and competent choir, such as could easily cope with Walton's Belshazzar's Feast or Holst's First Choral Symphony.  Please contact him at mshort@dassells.free-online.co.uk

Patrick Larley studied at the RNCM and is now a freelance composer, conductor and keyboard player. His choral works, performed throughout the UK and in America, have been recorded on CD and broadcast on Radio 3 and are published by Chudleigh's Music. To listen to his music, order copies or discuss possible commissions visit  www.patricklarley.com or email enquiries@patricklarley.com

Paul Ayres, British composer and arranger (and also a choral director himself) has a large catalogue of works at www.paulayres.co.uk His choral music has been widely performed, commissioned, published and broadcast. Music for all sorts of choral group - amateur, professional, children's, youth, adult, sacred and secular. Free perusal scores are sent as Finale or PDF files.

Paul Freeman studied at Wolverhampton & Kingston University and has had works performed all over London and the UK. He composes almost entirely for the Church. He also gives piano recitals in London. Works include a large scale Requiem, Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, The Preces & Responses and anthems and motets for specifics and general use as well as works for other genres. For more information and contact details visit http://profmusic.tripod.com

Peter Willsher, freelance composer & conductor, had led an active musical life in England before emigrating to Canada in 1988. In England he had been the director of music at several schools noted for their choral and orchestral programs, including sung performances in Westminster Abbey, and the Goldsmith, Queen Elizabeth and Royal Albert Halls. As a professional conductor, he has directed several choirs and orchestras in Ontario and Quebe. He is a prolific composer who writes in a variety of styles. For the students at West Heath School he wrote several cantatas, piano pieces and a song cycle for piano and string accompaniment.His next project will be a Missa Brevis for the Cantabile Chorale in Montreal, it will highlight the plight of underprivileged children. Visit www.peterwillsher.com for more information or works and contacts..


Phil Baker studied composition with Edmund Rubbra at GSMD and as a post-graduate student supervised by Simon Holt at Royal Holloway College, London, for the degree of M.Phil. His output includes arrangements and Gebrauchsmusik for children and music for theatre including a chamber opera on Chaucer’s The Pardoner’s Tale (using original text) and an operatic musical based on Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. His work has received performances through the SPNM, at The Hawth Theatre and Studio in Crawley, at the Lewes, Brighton and Huddersfield Festivals, in Chichester Cathedral and the Gardner Arts Centre and elsewhere. Works in progress The Bayeux Tapestry – an opera in English, French and Latin based on the depictions of The Bayeux Tapestry; libretto by William Gilbert. Christmas Carol on a text from the Carmina Gadelica: SATB a cappella For more information email  lindsay-phil@talk21.com


Philip Armstrong has recently completed an extensive work for 5 vocalists (lyric soprano, mezzo soprano, contralto, tenore robusto & basso profundo), mixed choir and large orchestra. Entitled 'The Rage of Achilles', it is a setting of the first part of Homer's Iliad. You can listen to a sample of the piece at www.philiparmstrong.net or request a copy of the full score at gt@philiparmstrong.net Philip Armstrong studied composition at the RAM and his pieces have been performed internationally and shortlisted by the SPNM. This is exciting and energetic music!

Philip Lawson was a Lay Clerk at Salisbury Cathedral for 11 years having been a freelance singer in London. He has for 13 years now been a baritone with The King's Singers and is also their principal arranger. His compositions and arrangements are published mainly by Hal Leonard Corporation, but he has works published by several other houses. For a complete listing go to www.philiplawson.net, or contact Philip direct via The King's Singers' website www.kingssingers.com

Philip Stopford, Director of Music Belfast Cathedral has a range of new choral music compositions available on line, with audio clips and downloadable PDF files. ...more

Phillip Neil Martin was awarded the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Prize 2003. He has just completed a new piece for Unaccompanied SATB Chorus called “I See Heaven” commissioned by by Christopher Glynn and the St. Stephen's Festival of Arts and Faith 2005. "I See Heaven" will receive its first performance by the choir of St. Stephen’s Festival of Arts and Faith at St. Stephen’s Church, Gloucester Road on 10th July 2005 and will ten be available to other choirs. Duration abt.6 minutes. For more information email or visit PNM's new Website

Ray Smith (b.1947) is a composer and arranger of, mainly, choral music. From a full Latin text mass for choir and orchestra lasting over 75 minutes (listen to Kyrie) to the smaller a cappella works such as O Nata Lux. Ray also covers the non-sacred area with arrangements of traditional British songs such as All Through The Night or from a little further away like Shenandoah, with occasional music like Christmas Lullaby also available. For full listing of all works available go to www.members.sibeliusmusic/raysmith or to contact him on e-mail at ray@penray.co.uk


Richard Donnelly is 33 years old. Between 1996 and 2003 he lectured at University College Chichester, specialising in composition. His works include an opera, "Think Bike" (1999), the soundtrack to an award winning dance film, "Double One" and various solo piano and ensemble pieces. Among his organ voluntaries and works for unaccompanied choir, several received their first performance in Chichester Cathedral. His favourite choral composers are Ligeti, Holst and Gesualdo. He hopes to compose the first oratorio to be performed in zero gravity. Email: composerdonnelly@hotmail.com
Robert Hugill is a London based composer who has written a wide range of choral music both sacred and secular. His sacred music has been performed by a variety of choirs including St. Woolos Cathedral, Newport, South Wales; the Oxford Oratory; St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cadogan Street, Chelsea; St. Peter's Church, Ealing. He has written commissions for Crouch End Festival Chorus and for the London Concord Singers. The eight:fifteen vocal ensemble and FifteenB are showcasing Robert's music at a mini-Festival at St. Peter's Eaton Square in Jan/Feb 2008 to celebrate the release of Robert's new CD 'The Testament of Dr. Cranmer'. http://www.divine-art.com/CD/25053info.htm All of Robert's music is available on-line, with samples, programme notes etc, at http://www.sphericaleditions.co.uk/

Rod Mather is the Choral Director of St. Clement's on the hill Anglican Church in Stafford, Brisbane, Queensland. He studied music at Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire under the composer Bryan Kelly. During his time at St. James the Great he helped to form the Newport Pagnell Deanery Choirs Festival where the choirs of the deanery get together for a well rehearsed Choral Evensong. This has been so popular now that after 10 years it is still going strong with the addition of a concert for presentation pieces.  Please visit http://www.rodeby.noteperfect.net to view his compositions and arrangements.It is intended that the music on his website can be freely shared without worry.

Ronald Law has been working with Schools, Churches and Choral Societies for over 30 years. He has recently made his many compositions available to all on www.musicbusinessplus.com For further details, list of works, etc. contact him at Music Business Plus, 47 Huntley Road, S11 7PA  Email - Ronlawmusic@aol.com Tel.  0114 2668 913

Sheena Phillips is a very active choral composer, (mainly a cappella but also featuring small instrumental ensembles), with commissions performed in Britain and America. Much of her music is published  by Canasg Music Publishing and she can be contacted directly at sheena@columbus.rr.com For more information, including recent performances and unpublished works, visit Sheena's web site.

Simon McEnery has been commissioned to write choral music by Salisbury Cathedral (Pentecost, Passio Christi Conforta Me, Light), the Eton Choral Course (Gerard Manley Hopkins Responses) and Berkhamsted Choral Society (The Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 3 Sacred Pieces), and ranges from anthems to oratorios via incidental music to theatrical productions.   He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Southampton University.   He specialises in music that draws heavily on popular music and music theatre styles placed in a choral or liturgical context.   He publishes his own music via his website, which also contains music samples: www.mcenery.co.uk.


Stephen Trahair has been involved with local church choirs and amateur music groups in West Devon for many years, and has first-hand experience of the difficulties of obtaining suitable music for 3 or 2-part choirs, and choral groups of limited ability.  He has written many works for choirs with limited resources and/or ability, including Psalm-Anthems, introits and a Mass setting.  He also writes organ music for amateur organists, including A little organ book of hymn preludes, described by Organist's Review  as "a delightful book ... a welcome addition to the repertoire for the player of about grade 6 standard."  His work is published by his own company, DocWrite Church Music, whose catalogue can be found at www.docwrite.info.

Steven Giffin studied Music at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was also an Academical Clerk (Magdalen equivalent of a choral scholar). He began writing for choirs soon after embarking on his teaching career when he found it difficult to find suitable material for the choir he was directing at the time. Since then he has devoted much time to composing music for school choirs and school stage performances though much of it is suitable for any choir. Recent performances include the carol "Blessing for a New Born Child" in Milan and a liturgical performance of "Preces and Responses for SATB" in Edinburgh.Scores of his music can be downloaded for free from www.members.sibeliusmusic.com/griff

Steven Kings is a former winner of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival Young Composers’ Competition and the Tong International Piano Duet Competition. His haiku mass for SATB and brass ensemble was shortlisted for a British Composers Award in 2003. Other choral compositions include a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in Greek (2004), as well as four Meditations on religious texts, and a set of Three Advent Carols. He has also made arrangements of the National Anthem and the Welsh Anthem for choir, brass and percussion. For further information contact drstevenkings@hotmail.com or visit www.stevenkings.co.uk

Thomas Neal is a young organist, pianist, and composer; and is organ student at St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. He has recieved various awards in performance and composition, including the Handel-Inspired Chamber Organ Composition Competition, and a special commendation in the Choir & Organ Composition Competition 2008. His choral music is regularly performed by choirs in the UK and abroad, most notably the Tees Valley Youth Choir (runners-up, BBC Choir of the Year 2006). Commissions in 2008 include a set of Preces and Responses, a setting of the Salve Regina, a Missa Brevis, and several motets. He is always pleased to receive commissions from both parish churches and cathedrals, not matter how large or small. Website: http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/thomasneal Email: cauliflower@hotmail.co.uk

Tim Knight is an established composer with choral works published and performed in the UK, USA and Canada. He has a wide variety of works available for choirs of all sizes and is currently working on a Te Deum for an American Choir. Any UK Choir wishing to give a performance of this is welcome to contact him. Commissions, however small, are always very welcome, further details of all works, Recordings etc are available at www.tim-knight.20m.com

Timothy Salter has written a large body of choral music spanning most of his composing career.  His works range from the luminosity and excitement of such pieces as Katharsios (piano, percussion and chorus) to the lyricism, sadness and humour of his many English folk-song arrangements that have delighted audiences around the world.  See www.timothysalter.com for details of scores and recordings.

Will Todd (b.1970) has completed numerous commissions for choirs including Northampton Bach Choir, Hertfordshire Chorus, Derby Choral Union and Durham Choral Society.  Born and brought up in County Durham, much of his music is based around North Eastern themes, but his love of story telling has also led to the creation of a number of important works on subjects ranging from murder in 1960s New York to the ancient Nordic Myths.  His extensive output includes oratorio, many sacred settings, opera, musicals, orchestral works and works for children.  Notable and often-performed works include oratorios The Burning Road (about the Jarrow March) and Saint Cuthbert; and Mass in Blue  - a jazz setting of the latin mass.  Visit www.tyalgumpress.com for more information, a complete list of works, and details of how to obtain scores

William Copper, who studied composition with George Crumb, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Joseph Schwanter, is publishing a great deal of choral music. Highlights include "Lovelife Dances" and "New Lovelife Dances" two half-hour suites for mixed chorus with piano, 4 hands, and "Sea Songs", four a cappella settings of sea poetry, duration around 10 minutes. Works in preparation include a Magnificat for chorus and orchestra, "Dinggedicht-Fugen" for chorus and piano (in German), and a Mysteries of Light Mass for chorus and orchestra. Information at www.hartenshield.com, email music@hartenshield.com.


Lyricists


Don Read is a professional song-writer and, in collaboration with choral arranager Michael Neaum, has recently completed fifteen lyrics to popular classical pieces of music including Long Live Love (Beethoven- Pathetique), Tomorrow Is Forever (Albinoni-Adagio In G Minor), If We Were In Love (Chopin- Etude In E Major), and is  now looking for adventurous choirs to perform some or all of them. For more details email Don Read