Salisbury Vespers

for chorus, chamber choir, and children's choir, or large divisi chorus, with orchestra and organ or brass ensemble and organ. Showcasing Chilcott's exceptional talent for large-scale choral writing, Salisbury Vespers pays homage to this most ancient of services, combining settings of the traditional Vespers psalms with anonymous early texts and words from the Sarum Primer of 1516. Marian motets punctuate the psalm settings, and the work is concluded with a substantial setting of the Magnificat, using the plainsong melody from the same section in Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610. With driving rhythms, passages of reflective contemplation, and expansive, powerful textures, this is sure to become a mainstay of the modern choral repertory for years to come. Written for large mixed choir, chamber choir, and children's choir, Salisbury Vespers could equally be performed by a large mixed choir, with the parts for chamber choir and children's choir being sung by smaller sections taken from within the large choir. Vocal scores are available on sale and on hire/rental.

Psalm 69 (70), v.2: Deus in adiutorium; Psalm 109 (110): Dixit Dominus; Motet: I sing of a mayden; Psalm 112 (113): Laudate pueri; Motet: When to the temple Mary went; Psalm 121 (122): Laetatus sum; Motet: Lovely tear of lovely eye; Hymn: Vexilla Regis; Motet: Hail, Star of the sea most radiant; Magnificat; Magnificat anima mea; Et exultavit; Quia respexit; Quia fecit mihi magna; Et misericorida; Fecit potentiam; Deposuit potentes de sede; Esurientes implevit bonis; Suscepit Israel; Sicut locutus est; Gloria Patri; Sicut erat in principio

Bob Chilcott has become one of the world's most widely performed composers and arrangers of choral music. His compositional output reflects his wide taste in music styles and his commitment to writing music that is both singable and communicative. He has been involved in choral music most of his life he was a chorister and then a choral scholar in the choir of King's College, Cambridge, and was a member of the British vocal group The King's Singers for whom he made a number of popular arrangements of well-known songs from all genres. As well as being a full-time composer he is also a highly acclaimed choral conductor. He has been privileged to conduct many choirs all over the world. He is Principal Guest Conductor of The BBC Singers and in 2019 he was appointed Principal Conductor of Birmingham University Singers. His music has been widely recorded by many choirs and groups including The King's Singers, Tenebrae, and The BBC Singers.