Par KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). John Kander and Fred Ebb created a number of 20th-century show classics, including Cabaret and Kiss of the Spider woman, but Chicago is perhaps their greatest and best-loved show of them all. On the surface And All That Jazz is a celebration of bohemian excess of every conceivable kind. Sing the fantastic, showstopping melody with great energy, have a ball a…

Arrangeur: Gwyn Arch. Par ARCH GWYN. Classic Pop Ballads collects three of the world's all-time great pop songs in irresistable arrangements for young or newly-formed choirs. Pieces have been specially chosen to enable successful programme planning and a manageable piano accompaniment is also provided. The optional third line is designed for boys with newly changed or unstable voices. These pieces…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The poignant words of The Last Rose Of Summer, by Thomas Moore, match this Irish song’s mournful, drooping melody. After a temporarily uplifting modulation for the third verse, where the men of the choir echo the melody two measures behind, the arrangement ends as it began – in a solitary mood, with an empty, bare fifth. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Sing…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Oh Shenandoah dates back to the early nineteenth century, with possible origins in Virginia. Sometimes referred to as a ‘shanty’ song because of its refrain (‘away, you rolling river,’ etc.), its lyrics exist in many versions and can be seen as a paean either to the river itself, or perhaps to the (mythical?) daughter of an Indian chief of that name. Regardless of …

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The Germans? love of the Christmas tree is immortalized in the song O Tannenbaum - translated as O Christmas Tree - set to an old folk tune. Many popular singers, including the great Nat ?King? Cole, have recorded their own versions either in German or, as in this arrangement, in English. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection …

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot started life as a spiritual – it was one of the many religious songs sung by slaves on the cotton plantations in the Southern states of America over a century ago. There has been much speculation as to why it has been adopted by England rugby supporters but it seems that the association is here to stay. This rousing sporting anthem would make an ideal encore for any concer…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). (Is this the way to) Amarillo? is about a man travelling to find his fiancée in Amarillo, Texas. After the second verse and chorus there’s a chance to go a cappella: the piano can leave out the small notes and give the singers a chance to show off what they can do! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted a…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Freedom Is Coming is an incredibly infectious celebration of hope and freedom from oppression and is coupled here with Hamba Vangeli (‘Spread the new word’) for Soprano, Alto and combined men's voices along with a piano accompaniment. Pay attention to the dynamics – there are lots of opportunities for contrasts and a gradual build-up of texture, as well as chances …

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). English song in the first half of the twentieth century was largely defined by the wonderful output of Roger Quilter and Gerald Finzi, both of whom delighted in setting fine poetry by Wordsworth, Shakespeare and others. She Walks in Beauty was inspired by these two composers, with a particularly musically evocative and colourful text by Byron and a glorious new mel…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Standing in the Need of Prayer is a simple, meditative melody with a pleasing, repetitive chord sequence. This arrangement gives you a chance to ‘crank it up a gear’ after the modulation; there is also an opportunity to thicken out the vocal harmonies towards the end with some optional alto notes. Once singers get more confident, you may wish to experiment with oth…