Requirements: Mixed choir (SATB) with orchestra or piano accompaniment.

Duration: 25 minutes

A collection of 8 arrangements of sea songs for mixed choir and piano. There are some optional opportunities for solos and audience participation. This work was originally written in 2010, revised in 2020 and an orchestral version was added in 2021 as a commission from Dorking Choral Society, who gave the first performance.

Ian, and his pianist wife Jan, can deliver a one-day workshop on this set. Please see the Workshops page.

Conductor's score and instrumental parts for the orchestral version are available to hire on request.

The songs are:

1. Ten Thousand Miles Away

2. Haul Away, Joe

3. Spanish Ladies

4. Maggie May

5. A-Roving

6. The Capstan Bar

7. A Drop O’ Nelson’s Blood

8. Leave ‘er, Johnny

Voicing: SATB, SAB, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 2' 53"

A rumbustious setting of a traditional English sea song. "A drop o' Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm" - (Nelson's blood is rum). The rollicking piano part gives this song an unstoppable momentum and the interpolated shouts of "Heave" "T'me" remind us that this was a shipboard work song.

See also: the set of 8 shanties, also called A Drop O' Nelson's Blood, under Large-scale works. A one-day workshop on this work is available - see the Workshops tab.

Voicing: SATB and piano with optional flute

Duration: 3' 20"

Written in: 2021

A song for Christmas, with original words by the composer. 

A new heart beats, a baby cries,

And in the tears that fill his eyes

Is love for those whose lives are torn,

And love for children yet unborn.

And in the depths of winter, and in the darkest night,

His love will guide us to the light.

A New Heart is published by Oxford University Press in Carols For Choirs 6

There is no choir recording of this piece yet but select the last image above for a video using AI-generated voices.

Voicing: SATB unaccompanied

Duration: 3' 00"

A setting (in English) of an 8th century Japanese poem by Lady Heguri. Pentatonic harmonies and a haunting melody make this an arresting concert piece. 

A thousand years you said,

as our hearts melted.

I look at the hand that you held

And the ache is hard to bear.

A moving-score video is available. Select the last image above.

Voicing: SSAATTBB a cappella

Duration: 3' 40"

An atmospheric setting of a poem by Sara Teasdale describing her pity for the homeless in winter. Chromatic 8-part harmonies make this a piece for more confident or advanced choirs.

A video of the work is available using digital voices - select the final image above.

Voicing: Tenor and (optional) soprano solos, SATB and piano, OR Tenor solo, TTBB and piano. Optional audience participation.

Duration: 3' 50"

An arrangement of a rousing sea song with a substantial, but straightforward, tenor solo, optional soprano solo and opportunities for the audience to join in with the chorus.

(N.B. not to be confused with "We'll Go No More a-Roving" which is an original setting of a Byron poem)

Voicing: SATB (with some divisi) a cappella

Duration: 3' 20"

A setting of Edward Thomas' much loved poem set in the Cotswolds on a still, hot day in late June 1914. The piece was written on a similar day in June 2020.

A moving-score video (with electronic 'choir') is available - select the last image above.

Voicing: SATB with divisi and piano (or organ)

Duration: 4' 45"

Written in: 2021

This piece was commissioned in March 2021 by Tricia Rees-Jones for the Somerset-based chamber choir Swan Singers to celebrate their return to live performance after the Covid-19 lockdown. It begins very gently and opens up gradually, like a flower. The text is by the composer.

Click on the moving score video above to hear an electronic 'performance'.

 "The words capture the moment perfectly and I think the piece is incredibly moving.” - Tricia Rees-Jones

... After the locked and shuttered doorways,

After the dark and empty spaces,

And after the silence, singing.

Air and Angels was commissioned by Michael Waldron for Epworth Choir and premiered by them in April 2018. A video of that performance is available here.

Requirements: Baritone solo, mixed voice (SATB) choir, brass quintet, timp and piano.

Duration: 20 minutes

A setting of four poems by John Donne for baritone solo, mixed voice (SATB) choir, brass quintet, timp and piano.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 5' 7"

An atmospheric setting of a Gaelic prayer. This work won the 2014 Nicola Dando Prize (adjudicators: Judith Weir and Stephen Jackson).

"A truly moving piece."

I'm so excited to be performing this. Every time we practice it gives me goosebumps. A wonderful piece, thank you Ian."

Published by OUP

Voicing: SATB, SAB, or SSA, and piano

Duration: 2' 25"

"The all-purpose Christmas carol"

 A warm-hearted satire which gently pokes fun at those traditionally cosy carols.

"This music is so funny and fabulous and singable. Spot on. Thank you." - Stephanie Pirrie, community choir MD.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 2' 56"

An emotionally-charged setting of the old testament Psalm 137, heavily influenced by the style of Jewish liturgical music. The harmony is quite chromatic, making this setting more suitable for experienced choirs.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above

Voicing: SATB, or SAB, and piano

Duration: 2' 50"

A reflective and ethereal original setting of the first verse of the ancient hymn text based around Ralph Vaughan Williams' beautiful melody Down Ampney.

This work was written the commemorate the 60th anniversary of RVW's death and was premiered on the occasion by The Vaughan Williams Singers in his childhood home, Leith Hill Place.

Video available - select the last image above

Voicing: SATB and piano, or Cambiata (CCBar) and piano

Duration: 4'21"

This song was composed during the Covid-19 lockdown originally for ‘cambiata’ choir, i.e. a choir for boys with changing voices. Inspired by remarks made on social media by Martin Ashley, of Boys Keep Singing, I was looking forward specifically to a time when boys, who might have still been trebles when the pandemic hit, will be able to sing with others again, albeit now with voices that have begun to change.

I later arranged and filled it out to create a version of the work suitable for all SATB mixed choirs.

The idea of the song is to acknowledge the multiplicity of sadness and tragedy represented by, in this case, a global pandemic, and yet to provide a sense of hope and consolation.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above.

Although he is best known as a choral composer, Ian’s piano writing embodies the same characteristics as his writing for voices - carefully structured, approachable and inventive.

This deceptively simple short piano piece is characteristically melodic and inventive.

Voicing: SATB, TTBB, or SSA, and piano

Duration: 3' 00"

A lyrical setting of Tennyson's farewell poem.

The original TTBB version of this work won the 2014 Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival composition competition. Adjudicator Alan Bullard called it 'An effective and moving work which represents the best of the Male Voice Choir tradition'.

The SATB and SSA versions capture all the lyrical qualities of the original voicing.

A moving-score video of the SATB arrangement is available - select the final image above and a virtual choir video of Epsom Male Voice Choir performing the piece during Covid lockdown is available on YouTube.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 2' 20"

A setting of words from Charles Darwin's On The Origin Of Species in which he describes, in loving detail, the characteristics of different types of pigeons. The music is energetic, highly rhythmical and occasionally comic. The rapidly changing time signatures make this piece more suitable for experienced and confident choirs.

Voicing: SATB, SAB, SSA or 2-part mixed voices, and piano

Duration: 2' 18"

A humorous Christmas song, with original words, in which a husband a wife discuss her lavish decoration plans. The poor husband doesn't get much of a word in - until the end. A real audience-pleaser.

Watch the Virtual choir video by James Davey and Amici Cantate.

"This music is so funny and fabulous and singable. Spot on. Thank you." - Stephanie Pirrie, community choir MD.

A moving-score video is available (SATB version) - select the final image above.

Voicing: SSAATTBB a cappella and tambourine (ad lib.)

Duration: 2' 00"

An energetic and rhythmical setting of a 15th century macaronic Christmas carol.

Voicing: SATB (with divisi) unaccompanied

Duration: 4' 13"

Written in: February 2023

A setting of a poem by Sara Teasdale in 8 parts. Soaring climaxes and rich, shimmering harmony makes this a highly effective concert piece.

Shortlisted for the Ensemble Altera Composition Competition 2023

A cantata in 15 movements for soprano and baritone solos, 1-3 choirs and small orchestra. Particularly suitable for any type of remembrance concert.

Duration: 70 minutes

Dies Irae was commissioned jointly by Leatherhead Choral Society and Epsom Male Voice choir to form part of the Battle of The Somme centenary commemoration. The Latin title, taken from the Requiem Mass, can be translated as "Day Of Anger" - in other words, "Judgement Day".

The work can be performed by a single mixed-voice choir. Alternatively, for the full dramatic effect an upper-voice children's choir and/or a male-voice choir can be added.

Voicing: SATB with divisi a cappella

Duration: 3' 45"

A setting of the optimistic sonnet 'Do not stand at my grave and weep'.

The poem's authorship is uncertain. It is often attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye, but it is also claimed to be by Clare Harner.

The video is a performance by Vaughan Williams Singers conducted by the composer (Select the final image above to view).

In recognition of the horror and sadness of the invasion of Ukraine, a short, simple hymn for mixed voices, designed to be taught quickly by ear. May be used as a choir warmup or built up into a short performance - suggestions included in the score.

Free and unrestricted use - may be freely used, copied, performed etc. This is a single page PDF - after ordering you will receive a download link.

Voicing: Baritone solo, SATB and piano with optional string quartet

Duration: 7' 50"

This is a substantial setting of Matthew Arnold's famous Victorian poem "Dover Beach". The poem is full of vivid imagery, contrasts and unexpected turns and the music faithfully follows each twist and turn.

The work includes optional scoring for string quartet (in addition to the piano) - conductor's score and parts available on request.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 2' 30"

Written in: 2022

A sweet and gentle setting of a song from Kenneth Grahame's charming, timeless classic Wind in the Willows.

All along the backwater

Through the rushes tall

Ducks are a-dabbling

Up tails all!

A moving-score video  is available - select the final image above.

Voicing: S (A) (Bar) and Piano

Duration: 3' 10"

This setting of words by Marcus Aurelius features in The Oxford Book of Flexible Choral Songs, edited by Alan Bullard. A highly flexible work, it may be sung in unison at any octave or in two-part upper or two or three part mixed voices.

Voicing: SATB unaccompanied

Duration: 2' 30"

Written in: 2017

A setting of lines from Oscar Wilde's early transcendental poem Panthea, this piece forms one movement of the longer work called Verses from Panthea, also available on this site.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above.

Voicing: mezzo-soprano and piano

Duration: 4'

Written in: 1979

This early work for mezzo-soprano solo and piano is an intense setting of Christina Rossetti's poem.

Come to me in the silence of the night;

come in the speaking silence of a dream;...

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above

A faithful, highly singable 4-part a cappella arrangement of the song from the Beatles Revolver album.

Available on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect

Voicing: SATB, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 3' 52"

A gently lyrical setting of the famous funeral song from Shakespeare's Cymbeline - Fear no more the heat o' the sun, nor the furious winter's rages.

This piece forms a poignant movement in the "Cantata of Remembrance" Dies Irae.

To listen to a recording, select the final graphic above

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 2' 18"

Every Christmas Is a New Beginning is an original and uplifting Christmas song, with text by the composer.

An unhappy man is inspired with new hope when he hears distant voices raised in Christmas songs.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 2' 50"

The emotions of Siegfried Sassoon's Armistice Day poem are vividly captured in this approachable setting.

Voicing: SATB or 2-part upper voices and piano

Duration: 3' 50"

A setting of the final few words from Darwin's The Origin of Species.

Written for the British Humanist Choir who called it "haunting and uplifting" and "a real treat for the ears (and the heart)". It was premiered by them at the Darwin Day lecture 2015.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above. You can also view the first performance, by the London Humanist Choir in 2015. (Note that a section of the piece has been modified since this performance).

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 3' 22"

The bleakness and anger of Wilfred Owen's text is both offset and highlighted by the music's warm harmonies and tender dissonances. Suitable for Remembrance-themed concerts.

Recording available - select the final image above

Voicing: SATB, SSA or TTBB a cappella

Duration: 3' 22"

The world of the English madrigal collides with South American-inspired melody and rhythm in this playful setting of the famous poem by Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674) which begins 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may'.

A moving-score video of the SATB version is available - select the final image above.

A simple but effective arrangement for mixed voice choir and piano of the Elton John classic.

Available on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/goodbye-yellow-brick-road-23112946.html

https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1792490/Product.aspx

Voicing: SATB or SSA a cappella

Duration: 4' 15"

An arrangement for unaccompanied mixed or upper voices of the famous 16th century English ballad, often attributed to Henry VIII.

This version is straightforward enough to be tackled by any choir but retains a renaissance atmosphere and charm.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 3' 30"

An atmospheric song with words by the composer inspired by the sight of the northern lights shimmering above Iceland's famous Gullfoss waterfall in winter.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above.

Voicing: Solo voice, SATB (or TTBB) and piano with optional violin solo

Duration: 3' 20"

Written in: 2010 - re-edited 2024

An arrangement of a famous traditional English 'tack and sheet' shanty with authentic-sounding harmonies subtly supported by a simple piano ostinato. There is an opportunity for a solo violin or flute (part included) and for a solo or small group to take the part of the shantyman.

A highly singable a cappella arrangement of this Beatles classic. This arrangement would work equally well with one voice per part or with a larger choir.

Available on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/here-there-and-everywhere-22612908.html

https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1415914/Product.aspx

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 3' 48"

Written to a text by John Gillespie Magee, the song expresses the joy and exuberance of a young airman tasting the freedom of flight. Suitable for Remembrance-themed concerts.

Although he is best known as a choral composer, Ian’s piano writing embodies the same characteristics as his writing for voices - carefully structured, approachable and inventive.

This simple yet effective short piece is based on the Hymn movement from Ian's 'Cantata of Remembrance', Dies Irae.

This YouTube video shows a lockdown performance by the composer.

A singable, authentic and effective a cappella arrangement for mixed choir (SATB with a little divisi) of the classic Beach Boys song. The arrangement works equally well with one voice per part or with a larger group. There is a some divisi in the alto part.

Available on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 2' 13"

An atmospheric setting of a 15th century english carol. 

This carol was shortlisted in the Jubilate Carol Competition. The judges called it "an enjoyable and practical setting, displaying great craftsmanship and sensitivity to the requirements of a good amateur choir, with an effective structure.... a tightly-conceived setting with a pleasing atmosphere, which would work well in many a carol programme."

Perusal score

Voicing: SATB, SSA, SAB or TTBB a cappella

Duration: 2' 47"

This arrangement captures both the surface humour and the darker emotion behind this WW1 soldiers' song. It begins as a rather jolly end-of-the-pier singalong and ends with a heartfelt plea.

Voicing: SATB, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 4' 43"

A melodic setting of the famous WW1 poem by John McCrae which evokes both the poem's evocative, elegaic mood and its fervent call to arms. Suitable for Remembrance-themed concerts.

Requirements: Baritone solo (and optional soprano solo), mixed voice (SATB) choir, and small orchestra.

Duration: 35 minutes

A humanist requiem in one continuous movement. Juxtaposes poetry by Tennyson (from In Memoriam A.H.H) and Wordsworth (Intimations of Mortality and Intimations of Immortality) with part of the Jewish memorial service for the dead.

Works well as a companion piece to Faure's requiem.

Orchestration: 2.2.2.2, 2.2.2.0; timp; str.

Voicing: SSATB a cappella

Duration: 3' 10"

A new arrangement freely adapted for mixed choir from the ‘Hymn’ movement in Ian's Dies Irae (see Longer Works).

The text is taken from a hymn by Martin Luther, with additional text by the composer.

Voicing: SATB and piano, or SABar and piano

Duration: 2' 00"

Written in: 2021

A setting of a poem by the Victorian poet Gerard Manley Hopkins describing a scene in the Scottish countryside. The final verse of the poem concludes with a surprisingly modern appeal for the conservation of natural beauty and wildness.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above

Voicing: Mixed voice (SATB) choir (with some divisi).

Instrumentation: Piano and optional strings

Duration: 20 minutes

A joyful celebration of science and the natural world in five movements, borrowing from the traditional form of a mass setting, but using a new, secular text by the composer.

To read more about Ionian Mass, please click here and to watch the moving score videos on YouTube, click here

A complete CD of the work, recorded by Vaughan Williams Singers and conducted by the composer is available.

• This work is also available to hire - please contact us for more information.

Voicing: SATB, SAB, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 3' 00"

An arrangement of the famous WW1 song, complete with a verse of the alternative, soldiers', lyrics. It begins almost tentatively, as a single piano line picking out the melody is joined by a solo voice. Then others join in gradually until all are singing. The end returns to the plaintive atmosphere of the start.

Voicing: SATB, SAB, or 2-part upper voices, and piano

Duration: 2' 21"

A simple but tender setting of a love poem by Robert Burns.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 2' 20"

A truly memorable melody expresses the warmth and hope of the season of lights in this lovely new choral song. Written with inclusive sensitivity, this original text will be very useful to directors as they strive to be sensitive to the many faiths that celebrate holidays in December. Using the universal symbol of light, this work challenges us to carry hope and light to a world in darkness. Great for school or church choirs!

Watch the first performance, given by Cadenza, here.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 3' 28"

A bittersweet setting of Shakespeare's sonnet number 104 which begins: 'To me, fair friend, you never can be old'.

A moving-score video is available - click on the final image above.

Voicing: 2-part upper voices, and piano

Duration: 4' 05"

A haunting setting of the famous folksong. This song forms a movement in the cantata Dies Irae where it is sung by the children's choir. Suitable for Remembrance-themed concerts.

Voicing: SSATB a cappella

Duration: 4' 45"

An original setting, with a slight gentle gospel feel, of the Easter song by John Macleod Campbell Crum that begins "Now the green blade riseth".

View the virtual choir performance by Vaughan Williams Singers

Voicing: SATB, SSA, TTBB, or SABar, and piano

Duration: 2' 25"

A romantic setting of Shelley's love poem which begins 'The fountains mingle with the river'.

The TTBB version of this work was a "highly commended" runner-up in the Cornwall International Male Voice Festival's composition competition in 2016. Alan Bullard, the competition adjudicator, said of it: "This is a lovely lyrical setting of this famous poem. There is much to enjoy in this beautifully flowing song which would grace many a concert. "

A moving-score video of the SSA version is available - select the final image above

Voicing: SATB and piano or S(A)(B) and piano

Duration: 2' 50"

A lyrical, wistful and instantly appealing setting of poem 33 from A.E. Housman's 'A Shropshire Lad'.

The three-part version is flexibly arranged, meaning that it can be sung as a unison song, or with one or two lower parts.

A moving-score video of the SATB version is available - select the final image above.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 1' 57"

A gently melodic setting, with luxuriant harmonies, of a song from 'The Woman Hater' by Jacobean playwrights Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 2' 25"

In this lively 6/8 setting, Ian explores a macaronic 15th-century text ('A Patre Unigenitus/Through a maiden is come'), with its exclamations of 'Eya!' reinforcing festive celebration. Featuring modal harmonies and energetic rhythms, this carol promises to be a fresh, uplifting, and accessible addition to any Christmas programme.

Listen to a performance by The Oxford Choir conducted by Bob Chilcott.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 4' 29"

Written in: 2012

A melodic and wistful setting of John Clare's folksong-like poem of lost love.

A recording is available - click the final image above.

Voicing: Unison upper or lower voices, and piano

Duration: 2' 05"

An accompanied setting for solo voice or unison upper or lower voices of a mysterious love poem by Robert Browning that begins;

The grey sea and long black land;
And the yellow half-moon large and low...

Voicing: SATB, or SSA, and piano

Duration: 3' 00"

Text by Sir Philip Sidney. A gentle song with a simple, graceful melody. Originally written for the London Humanist Choir as a wedding song. This is Ian's most popular and most frequently performed work.

The SSA version was selected as a set work for both the 2016 Leith Hill Musical Festival and the 2017 Scunthorpe Musical Festival.

Voicing: SS and piano

Duration: 2' 35"

An straighforward but enchanting 2-part setting, particularly suitable for school or youth choirs.

Voicing: Soprano solo, SATB and piano

Duration: 5' 28"

Written in: 2013

A lyrical, passionate setting, with a slightly syncopated rhythm, of a heart-rending Tudor-era text often attributed to Anne Boleyn.

A beautiful recording by London Choral Sinfonia, along with a moving-score video is available - select the final image above.

Voicing: SATB, SAB, 2-part mixed voices, or 2-part upper voices and piano

Duration: 3' 05"

A light-hearted Christmas song.

A lively, humorous carol with text by the composer which provides a sequel to the story of Good King Wenceslas and his long-suffering page.

...His gaze took in the drifting snow That carpeted the moors,
And he thought of all the nice warm things A king could do indoors...

"This music is so funny and fabulous and singable. Spot on. Thank you." - Stephanie Pirrie, community choir MD.

Voicing: SATB, 2-part mixed, upper or lower voices, and piano

Duration: 2' 05"

A 2-part arrangement of a Yiddish folk-song: paper is white, ink is black. An idiomatic English translation and pronunciation guide are included.

You may also like:

Sha, Shtil

Tumbalalaika

Instrumentation: chamber orchestra

A lively, rhythmical dance piece.

The video visualisation plays a complete performance using NotePerformer sounds

Instrumental parts available on request

Duration about 3m 18s.

Instrumentation 2.2.2.2, 2.2.0.0, tambourine, hp, str.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 2' 45"

An energetic and authentically lusty arrangement of Henry VIII's famous song, complete with sham shawm effects. Suitable for all mixed choirs, this piece makes a great secular addition to a programme of Renaissance music.

Voicing: SSAATTBB unaccompanied

Duration: 3' 59"

Written in: March 2023

An intense, emotional work with my own text.

This is my most personal, autobiographical and emotional piece. In 1989 my wife and I had a baby son who was born very prematurely and died after ten days. The piece was written thirty-five years later, and recalls a specific moment.

The title Pavane indicates the musical character mood of the piece, referring as it does to a slow, processional couples' dance.

A moving-score video is available - select the final picture above. This video uses AI software (Synthesiser V) to create a (somewhat) realistic choral effect.

Instrumentation: Solo piano

By Ian and Jan Assersohn. 16 entertaining and challenging new piano pieces for pianists at about grade 1 to 2

Drawing on their many years of successful teaching experience, Jan and Ian have composed a wide selection of pieces designed to inspire and challenge their students. These volumes bring together a selection of tried and tested favourites for pianists of all ages at the early grades.

Also see Picnic in the Park Book 2

Instrumentation: Solo piano

By Ian and Jan Assersohn. 16 entertaining and challenging new piano pieces for pianists at about grade 3 to 4

Drawing on their many years of successful teaching experience, Jan and Ian have composed a wide selection of pieces designed to inspire and challenge their students. These volumes bring together a selection of tried and tested favourites for pianists of all ages at the early grades.

Also see Picnic in the Park Book One

An original arrangement for a cappella voices of Elton John's 1972 hit Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna Be a Long Long Time).

This arrangement has interesting lines ofr all the voice parts and maintains the spirit of the original while introducing interesting a cappella harmonies.

Available on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect

Voicing: SATB unaccompanied

Duration: 3' 00"

Written in: 2024

A setting for a cappella voices of a poem by Sara Teasdale.

I am a pool in a peaceful place,

I greet the great sky face to face,

I know the stars and the stately moon

And the wind that runs with rippling shoon...

This work reached the final list in the Japan International Choral Composition Competition

Voicing: 2-part choir (mixed or upper voices) with or without piano

Duration: 2' 25"

Written in: 2022

This flexible song can be sung unaccompanied or with piano, and with or without body percussion (hand claps or finger snaps). The voice parts consist of a memorable melody presented, initially, against a simple rising scale accompaniment and then, after a short contrasting middle section, as a 2-part canon.

Voicing: SAB, Cambiata (CCBar) or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 2' 05"

A traditional and unforgettable Yiddish folksong. Added foot-stamping and hand-clapping gives this song a celebratory feel, with a real flavour of the shtetl. An English translation and pronunciation guide are included.

There's a terrific performance by the University Chorale at Temple University on YouTube here.

Listen to the TTBB recording here:

Available from OUP: SAB, CCBar or TTBB

You may also like:

Papir iz Dokh Vays

Tumbalalaika

Voicing: SATB (with divisi) a cappella

Duration: 1' 47"

This is a sonorous setting of the old American folksong whose lyrical and spacious mood evokes the wide open vistas of the Missouri river.

Voicing: SATB and piano with optional percussion (shaker, hand drums, guiro)

Duration: 2' 48"

Written in: 2024

A light-hearted setting of the song from Much Ado About Nothing with a Latin twist.

A free inspection copy is available for instant download - see Inspection Copies page.

A moving-score video using AI-generated voices is available - click the final graphic

Voicing: Unison upper or lower voices, and piano

Duration: 1' 45"

A setting of Walter de la Mare's beautiful ode to moonlight. Written for the Farnham Youth Junior Choir and suitable for children's or community choirs.

Silver was first performed by the Farnham Youth Junior Choir at Farnham Maltings on 8th July 2017.

Purchase of the PDF/licence includes a copyable 1-page singer's score containing just the melody line and lyrics.

Voicing: SATB, SSA, 2-part upper, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 5' 07"

A joyful song about singing, with words by the composer.

This piece won the Making Music 75th birthday composition competition and was chosen as a competition piece for the Leith Hill Musical Festival.

A moving-score video is available, with audio taken from a live performance of the version for SATB. Select the final image above.

Instrumentation: Solo piano

Although he is best known as a choral composer, Ian’s piano writing embodies the same characteristics as his writing for voices - carefully structured, approachable and inventive.

This set is suitable for all intermediate and advanced pianists.

The video is a visualisation of prelude No 1: "Nine fingers"

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 3' 10"

"a simple but haunting musical setting" - Church Music Quarterly

Christmas. A gently rocking setting of a mediaeval carol text in which Mary sings a lullaby to the infant Jesus. This song was chosen by Ora Singers as one of 12 carols in its 2019 Christmas Gift competition. Suzi Digby, Ora Singers conductor, called it "Ravishing".

Listen to the recording by Ora Singers

Watch a performance by Farrington Grove Chorale 

Voicing: SATB and piano or Cambiata (CCBar) and piano or TTBB and piano

Duration: 2' 55"

All three versions of this work are published by OUP. The SATB version is published in their Voice Junction series. The version for 3-part Cambiata choir,  suitable for boys' changing voices, is published in the Emerging Voices series. The TTBB version, for adult male voices is published separately.

"Slow Down has a relaxed swing feel, with imaginative lyrics by the composer that encourage us to take time out of our busy lives. The baritones have fun with a scat bassline while the upper parts enjoy exploring a swung quaver style, all underpinned by a supportive yet characterful piano part."

Listen to the recording here. 

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 1' 57"

This is a setting, in Latin, of lines from poem 5 by the ancient roman poet Catullus. Suns may set, and suns may rise again: but when our brief light has set, night is one long everlasting sleep.

The recording is by Michael Waldron and London Choral Sinfonetta (select the final image above)

Although he is best known as a choral composer, Ian’s piano writing embodies the same characteristics as his writing for voices - carefully structured, approachable and inventive.

This is a short, heartfelt piece based around a simple, tender melody.

The work is a cycle of settings, in Latin, of poems by the Roman poet Catullus (born around 84 BC). It was commissioned by Concordia Singers in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary and first performed on June 22nd 2013.

Songs of Catullus is scored for SATB, soprano solo and chamber ensemble (flute, oboe, timp, glock, harp, organ, cello) or small orchestra.

Duration: 35 minutes

As the first performance was to take place in a concert alongside the Rutter Requiem, Songs of Catullus was designed from the start not only to share the same requirements in terms of forces, but also to occupy a musical language and emotional space which would allow it to sit comfortably in the same progamme.

Voicing: Baritone solo and mixed voice (SATB) choir

Instrumentation: Strings and percussion (1 player - timps, tambourine, antique cymbals, triangle, mark tree)

Duration: 35 minutes

Written in: June 2025

A setting, in eight movements, of text from the biblical Book of Lamentations.

You are free to print copies of this vocal score for your choir. Should you perform the work you are requested to please donate at least part of any proceeds to support the charity The Israeli Children’s Fund (https://www.israelichildrensfund.org/) which provides financial support to children who lost parents in the October 7th terrorist attack.

Ian writes:

"The Book of Lamentations, known in Hebrew as Eikhah is part of the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings which laments the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem during the 6th century BCE, along with the exile of the tribe of Judah. Authorship of the book is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah.

Lamentations is read as part of Synagogue services during the Jewish festival of Tisha B’Av, which commemorates not only the destruction of the Temple, but also other calamities to have befallen the Jewish people over the centuries.

This work uses snippets of the text, freely translated into English. I wrote it in June 2025 with the terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7th 2023 very much in the front of my mind. I humbly dedicate it to the victims of that terrible atrocity.

Soft copies of the vocal score, full score and performing materials, along with practice tracks for the choir, are available free of charge, and without printing restrictions, to anyone who wishes to perform the work, asking only that some of any money raised goes to support charities helping those affected by the terrorist attacks."

Voicing: SATB, or TTBB, a cappella

Duration: 3' 43"

A simple but effective setting of this 18th century sea song describing a voyage from Spain and along the English Channel. Like many folksongs there are multiple variants of this melody; this arrangement uses a minor key version.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 3' 05"

This is a straightforward but effective arrangement of the famous Spiritual. The piano accompaniment gently supports the voices, making this arrangement also suitable for less confident choirs.

Voicing: S (A) (T) (B) and Organ or Piano

Duration: 2' 25"

This setting of words by John Greenleaf Whittier features in The Oxford Book of Easy Flexible Anthems, edited by Alan Bullard. A highly flexible work, it may be sung as a solo, in unison, as two-part upper voices, or 3-4 part mixed voices.

Listen here (Commotio)

Listen here (St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, New York)

Voicing: SATB (with some divisi) a cappella

Duration: 3' 30"

An unusual and haunting setting of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's dreamlike poem on déjà vu. 

I have been here before, But when or how I cannot tell:
I know the grass beyond the door, The sweet keen smell,
The sighing sound, the lights around the shore.

A moving-score video is available - select the final image above.

Voicing: SATB, or TTBB, and piano or SAATTBB a cappella

Duration: 1' 38"

Therer are two versions of this arrangements - accompanied and unaccompanied. Both versions retain all the exuberant energy of the original mediaeval English round.

The version with piano introduces variety by slowly building up the layers of the round - unison at first, then in 2 parts and finally in 4. Some extra cuckoos and a final chorus of animals completes this enjoyable setting. A discreetly rocking piano part supports the voices, making this an ideal arrangement for less confident choirs, as well as more experienced groups.

The a cappella version is not the same as the piano version. It is intended for more experienced choirs but follows the same basic structure.

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 3' 06"

This work, which is the fourth movement of Ionian Mass, also works well as a standalone piece. View a performance of the work by selecting the last of the images above.

The complete mass is available to purchase here.

An audio recording is available here

Voicing: SATB, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 3' 50"

A traditional shore ballad, possibly based on a song written by the music-hall impresario J. B. Geoghegan (c.1816–1889). It tells the story of a man who wants to sail away to be reunited with his true-love, who has been sent away in chains to Australia.

Sing ho! for a brave and a gallant ship And a fair and favouring breeze,
With a bully crew and a captain too To carry me over the seas,
To carry me over the seas my boys To my true-love far away,
For I'm taking a trip in a government ship Ten thousand miles away.

An a cappella arrangement for mixed choir (SATB) which captures all the poignancy and charm of Tim Minchin's beautiful song.

Available on SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect

Voicing: SATB (with divisi) and piano

Duration: 4' 10"

Written in: 2024

This is a setting of a poem by Pavel Friedmann, a Jewish Czechoslovak poet murdered in The Holocaust. His poem "The Butterfly" was written on June 4th 1942 in Theresienstadt and discovered there after the camp was liberated.

A free inspection copy is available for instant download

Voicing: SATB and piano

Duration: 4' 07"

An uplifting setting, in an approachable style, of George Eliot's impassioned poem. Suitable for most mixed choirs, including more experienced community choirs.

Voicing: SATB, 2-part mixed voices, or TTBB, and piano

Duration: 3' 10"

A new and infectiously tuneful klezmer-inspired setting of words from the biblical Song of Songs. Suitable for all mixed choirs, including community choirs.

A moving-score video of the SATB version is available using AI-based electronic voices - select the final image above.

Voicing: SATB a cappella

Duration: 3' 10"

A setting of words by the Victorian novelist George Meredith from his novel The Ordeal of Richard Feverel.

This work was long-listed for the Walter Hussey Composition Competition.

Voicing: Soprano Solo, SATB and cello or violin

Duration: 5' 10"

Written in: 2023

A setting for soprano solo, cello and choir (or violin) of the fantastical poem The Song of Wandering Aengus by Irish poet W.B.Yeats. An atmospheric work, with a Celtic feel, combining a strong melody and soaring climaxes.

A moving-score video (using digital choir sounds) is available, as is a video of the first performance - see the last two images above.