John Gardner

John Gardner Carols

This anthology of eleven carols celebrates the festive music of John Gardner (1917-2011). It contains some of his most well-known settings alongside new repertoire, including a previously unpublished Epiphany carol, 'Entry of the Three Kings'. From the reflective 'A Christmas Hymn' to his joyful setting of 'The holly and the ivy', John Gardner Carols presents a variety of styles and moods that will delight choirs and audiences alike. A number of pieces give alternative performance instructions to allow upper-voice choirs to enjoy this superb collection.
A number of the carols are included on the EM Records CD 'John Gardner: Cantata for Christmas, Organ Concerto, Christmas Carols' (EMR CD009) with the City of London Choir, conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton and Chris Gardner.

Difficulty: Very easy to Moderately difficult
Orchestration:
A Gallery Carol: perc (opt: timp, xyl, glock, tri, tamb, SD, cym), org (from vocal score)
How bright the morning star does shine: fl(opt), ob, cl(opt), bn, hn, tpt(opt), tbn(opt), timp(opt), str
O little town of Bethlehem: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bn, 4 hn, 2 tpt, 3 tbn, tba, timp, perc, hp (opt), str
The holly and the ivy: 3 fl (IIIopt), 3 ob (IIIopt), 3 cl (IIIopt), 2 bn(opt), 4 hn (opt), 2 tpt (opt), 3 tbn (opt), tba (opt), dance band drummer (not essential but highly desirable), pno (opt when full orchestra), str