Par PORTER COLE. Written by Cole Porter, I’ve Got You Under My Skin became a signature song for Frank Sinatra and was one of his most requested songs at concerts. In 1966, the song became a top ten hit for the Four Seasons and has also been covered by countless others since. A key piece to include in any programme celebrating the Great American Songbook. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Sin…

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.). Jingle Bells dates from the mid-nineteenth century and is thought to be one of the first secular Christmas songs to ?top the charts?. It is in fact not about Christmas at all but instead about the ?Cutter? drag races in Boston, where young men would race sleighs and attempt to impress the girls with their speed. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles serie…

Par KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). This is a vibrant and accessible arrangement of All I care about, from the Broadway hit Chicago! With opportunities for whistling, staging and lyrics full of double meanings, this will add a bit of spice to your concert programme. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity o…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Simple Gifts has been sung to numerous different lyrics (particularly Sydney Carter’s 1960s hymn Lord of the dance) and the tune is very well known, thanks to its use in Aaron Copland’s score for the ballet Appalachian Spring, first performed in 1944. Elder Joseph Brackett – a shaker from Maine – originally wrote it as a ‘dancing song’ in 1848. This arrangement by …

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 KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). This well-crafted arrangement of Roxie, from the Broadway hit Chicago!, is fun, sassy and accessible. A perfect opportunity for you and your choir to experiment with staging and movement! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and fo…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Low-down on the Hoe-down is a rollicking romp through a selection of light-hearted line-dance tunes. It’s a tribute to Ward Swingle, founder and arranger of the legendary vocal group The Swingle Singers, whose idea it was to make a show-stopping concert-piece out of a number of barn-storming American square-dance songs, using a song called The Arkansas Traveler to …

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Auld Lang Syne (meaning ‘old long since’) recalls days gone by, promising always to remember them with friends. A popular New Year’s Eve song in many parts of the world and a perfect encore piece for any New Year or celebratory concerts. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity o…