Festive Overture: The Joy of Christmas

Commissioned by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, this overture was performed at the CBSO Christmas Concerts in Symphony Hall, Birmingham in December 2010, conducted by Simon Halsey, and more recently by the Northern Sinfonia and Chorus at the Sage, Gateshead.  It’s based on a number of well known and lesser known Christmas songs, and is intended as a lively celebration of this most joyful season.

Gloria

This new setting of the Gloria is for SATB chorus (with some divisions) with brass and timpani.  Its first performance took place on 26th June 2010 at Emmanuel Church, Wylde Green, Birmingham.  Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir were accompanied by Cambridge Heath Brass. 

The piece  explores both the joyful and the reflective nature of the words, and is set mainly in 7/8 time, culminating in a fugal section, and a return of the original words.

To see and hear edited highlights of this performance, please click here.