Carols for Choirs


Carols for Choirs is a collection of choral scores, predominantly of Christmas carols and hymns, first published in 1961 by Oxford University Press. It was edited by Sir David Willcocks and Reginald Jacques, and is a widely used source of carols in the British Anglican tradition and among British choral societies. A second volume was published in 1970, edited by David Willcocks and John Rutter, and the collection is now available in five volumes. A compendium edition was published later. In addition to music for Christmas, the collection also offers works that are suitable for other Christian festivals such as Advent and Epiphany.
The books contain the most commonly performed carols and their harmony arrangements, with descants from the editors which have become the de facto standard descants for these tunes in the Anglican communion in the UK. Most of the arrangements were originally written for use by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge or the Bach Choir in London.

History

Carols For Choirs was originally launched by the organist and music editor at Oxford University Press Christopher Morris. Whilst working at St George's, Hanover Square, he realised that church choirs lacked a definitive book of Christmas carols, and felt that a single book would be more convenient than using separate pieces of sheet music and hymn books. Under his direction, the first book of Carols for Choirs was commissioned. To edit the collection, Morris enlisted David Willcocks, Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge, and Reginald Jacques, conductor of the Bach Choir. The book was published in 1961, containing new arrangements of traditional carols, but it also popularised pieces by modern composers such as William Walton, Benjamin Britten, Richard Rodney Bennett, William Mathias and John Rutter. Carols for Choirs was an instant success and became OUP Music Department's best-selling title, with over a million copies being sold. OUP were keen to commission a second volume, but after the death of Jacques in 1969, a new editor had to be found to support Willcocks, and an undergraduate at Cambridge University, John Rutter, was recruited. Carols for Choirs 2 was published in 1970.
The books in the Carols For Choirs collection came to be regarded as standard choral texts throughout the English-speaking world and were highly influential; according to the composer John Rutter, they "changed the whole sound of Christmas for everybody who sings".

Volumes

Choir singers usually refer to the books by the colours of their covers, with the "green" and "orange" books being the most widely used. The "blue" book contains a number of longer anthems, and the "red" book features fifty carols arranged for sopranos and altos. In July 2011, Oxford University Press published the fifth incarnation of the original series, Carols for Choirs 5, edited by composer Bob Chilcott, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first volume.
Oxford University Press later expanded the series with volumes appropriate for other church seasons, for example:

Contents

Volume/numberTitleComposer/SourceArrangementSeasonal use
1. 1A Great and Mighty WonderOld GermanMichael Praetorius Christmas
1. 2Away in a MangerWilliam KirkpatrickDavid Willcocks Christmas
1. 2bAway in a MangerTrad. NormanReginald Jacques Christmas
1. 3A Boy was BornBenjamin BrittenChristmas
1. 4As with Gladness Men of OldConrad KocherDavid Willcocks Christmas
1. 5And there were ShepherdsJohann Sebastian BachDavid Willcocks Christmas
1. 6A Virgin Most PureTrad. EnglishCharles Wood Christmas
1. 7Angels, from the Realms of GloryOld FrenchReginald Jacques Christmas
1.8A Christmas CarolTrad. HungarianZoltán Kodály Christmas
1. 9Blessed be that Maid MaryTrad EnglishDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.10Ding Dong! Merrily on HighTraditionalCharles Wood Christmas
1.11God Rest You Merry, GentlemenTrad. EnglishDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.12Zither CarolTrad. CzechMalcolm Sargent Christmas
1.13Good King WenceslasPiae CantionesReginald Jacques Christmas
1.14Hark! the Herald Angels SingFelix MendelssohnDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.15In Dulci JubiloRobert Lucas PearsallReginald Jacques Christmas
1.16Infant Holy, Infant LowlyPolishDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.17I Saw Three ShipsTrad. EnglishDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.17I Saw Three ShipsReginald JacquesChristmas
1.18It Came Upon the Midnight ClearTraditionalArthur Sullivan Christmas
1.19A Merry ChristmasTrad. EnglishArthur Warrell Christmas
1.20King Jesus Hath a GardenDutchCharles Wood Christmas
1.21RockingCzechDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.22Carol, with LullabyPhyllis TateChristmas
1.23Coventry CarolTraditionalChristmas
1.23bCoventry CarolTraditionalMartin Shaw Christmas
1.24No Sad Thought his Soul AffrightRalph Vaughan WilliamsChristmas
1.25O Little One SweetOld GermanJohann Sebastian Bach Christmas
1.26Adeste FidelesTraditionalDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.26bO Come, All Ye FaithfulTraditionalDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.27O Little Town of BethlehemRalph Vaughan WilliamsThomas Armstrong Christmas
1.28O men from the fieldsArnold CookeChristmas
1.29Sussex CarolTraditionalDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.30Once in Royal David's CityHenry J. GauntlettArthur Henry Mann Christmas
1.31Past three a clockTraditionalCharles Wood Christmas
1.32Rejoice and be merryTrad. EnglishReginald Jacques Christmas
1.33See amid the winter's snowJohn GossDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.34Lute-book lullabyW. BalletMartin Shaw Christmas
1.35The linden tree carolOld GermanReginald Jacques Annunciation / Christmas / Epiphany
1.36The Blessed son of GodRalph Vaughan WilliamsChristmas
1.37The Boar's head carolTrad EnglishElizabeth Poston Christmas
1.38The first NowellTrad. EnglishDavid Willcocks Christmas
1.39The Holly and the IvyTrad. EnglishReginald Jacques Lent / Christmas / Epiphany
1.40The Three KingsPeter CorneliusIvor Atkins Christmas
1.41The Shepherd's farewellHector BerliozChristmas
1.42TorchesJohn JoubertChristmas
1.43Unto us is born a sonPiae CantionesDavid WillcocksChristmas
1.44Up! good Christen folk, and listenPiae CantionesGeorge Ratcliffe Woodward Christmas
1.45We've been a while a-wanderingTrad. YorkshireRalph Vaughan Williams Christmas
1.46Gloucestershire WassailTraditionalRalph Vaughan Williams Christmas
1.47What cheer?William WaltonChristmas
1.48When Christ was bornReginald JacquesChristmas
1.49While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by NightTraditionalThomas Ravenscroft Christmas
1.50While the shepherds were watchingCecil Armstrong GibbsChristmas
2. 1A babe is born I wysFrederick BaintonChristmas
2. 2A child is born in BethlehemSamuel ScheidtDavid Willcocks Christmas
2. 3Adam lay yboundenBoris OrdChristmas
2. 4All my heart this night rejoicesJohann Georg EbelingChristmas
2. 5All this timeWilliam WaltonChristmas
2. 6Nativity carolJohn RutterChristmas
2. 7Deck the HallTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2. 8Ding Dong! Merrily on highTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2. 9Down in yon forestTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.10Shepherd's pipe carolJohn RutterChristmas
2.11Hail! Blessed Virgin MaryTraditional Charles Wood Christmas
2.12Here we come a-wassailingTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.13A new year carolBenjamin BrittenChristmas
2.14How far is it to Bethlehem?Traditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.15Matin responsoryAdapted from a Magnificat by PalestrinaAdvent
2.16Come, Thou Redeemer of the EarthTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.17Il est né le divin enfantTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.18I saw a maidenAnonymous Edgar Pettman Christmas
2.19Myn lykingRichard R. TerryChristmas
2.20I sing of a maidenPatrick HadleyChristmas
2.21It Came Upon the Midnight ClearArthur SullivanDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.22The Cherry-Tree CarolTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.23Masters in this HallTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.24Noël NouveletTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.25Sans Day CarolTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.26Sir ChristèmasWilliam MathiasChristmas
2.27O Come, O Come EmmanuelTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.28The Shepherds' Cradle SongKarl LeunerCharles Macpherson Christmas
2.29Of the Father's Heart BegottenFrom Piae CantionesDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.30The Twelve Days of ChristmasTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.31Once in Royal David's cityHenry Gauntlett, A. H. MannDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.31Out of your SleepRichard Rodney BennettChristmas
2.33Past Three a ClockTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.34Personent HodieGerman, 1360Gustav Holst Christmas
2.35Quelle est cette odeur agréableTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.36Quem pastores laudavereTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.37Quittez, PasteursTraditional John Rutter Christmas
2.38Resonemus LaudibusTraditional David Willcocks Christmas
2.39The angels and the shepherdsTraditional C. H. Trevor Christmas
2.40Stille NachtFranz Xaver GruberDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.41The Infant KingBasque NoelDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.42There is no Rose15th century EnglishJohn Stevens Christmas
2.43Gabriel's messageBasque NoelDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.44The Holly and the IvyEnglish traditionalWalford Davies Christmas
2.45The Lord at first did Adam makeEnglish traditionalDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.46The Truth from AboveEnglish traditionalRalph Vaughan Williams Christmas
2.47Tomorrow shall be my Dancing DayEnglish traditionalDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.48While shepherds Watched their Flocksfrom Este's PsalterDavid Willcocks Christmas
2.49PatapanBurgundianReginald Jacques Christmas
2.50Zion hears the Watchmen's VoicesJohann Sebastian BachJohn Rutter Christmas
2.Apx1Hark! The herald angels singAdapted from Felix Mendelssohn by W. H. CummingsChristmas
2.Apx2O come, all ye faithfulJohn Francis WadeChristmas
2.psAn Advent Carol Service 0Advent
3. 1A babe is BornWilliam MathiasChristmas Day
3. 2A babe is Born in BethlehemGerman Traditional, arr. Johann Hermann Schein
3. 3A Child this Day is BornEnglish Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.28All in the Morning*English Traditional, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
3.25Angel TidingsMoravian Traditional, John Rutter
3. 6Angelus ad Virginem14th century English, arr. David Willcocks
3. 9Bethlehem, of Noblest Cities18th century German, arr. David Willcocks
3.36Birthday CarolDavid Willcocks
3.43Boar's Head CarolEnglish Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.10Child in a MangerCeltic Traditional, arr. John Rutter
3.11Christ was Born on Christmas DayGerman Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.12Christe, Redemptor OmniumClaudio Monteverdi
3. 5Christmas Oratorio Johann Sebastian Bach
3.13Come all you Worthy GentlemenEnglish Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.14Come, Rock the Cradle for HimPsalteriolum Harmonicum, 1642
3.26Cradle SongFlemish Traditional, arr. John Rutter
3.50The Crown of RosesPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
3.15Deck the HallWelsh Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.16Donkey CarolJohn Rutter
3. 7Flemish CarolFlemish Traditional, arr. John Rutter
3.42Gabriel's MessageBasque Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.17Hark! the Herald Angels SingFelix Mendelssohn, adapt. W. H. Cummings
3.20He Smiles within his CradleAustrian Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.21Hush! my Dear, Lie Still and SlumberFrench Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.23I Saw Three ShipsEnglish Traditional, arr. John Rutter
3.24Il est né le divin enfantFrench Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.27In Dulci JubiloGerman Traditional, arr. John Rutter
3.22In the Bleak Mid-WinterGustav Holst
3.19Jesus ChildJohn Rutter
3.46King Herod and the CockWilliam Walton
3.29King Jesus Hath a GardenJohn Rutter
3.48Kings of OrientJohn Henry Hopkins, Jr., arr. David Willcocks
3.30Lo! He Comes with Clouds DescendingEnglish Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.31O Come, All Ye FaithfulJ. F. Wade
3.32O Little Town of BethlehemWalford Davies
3.33Omnis mundus jocundeturMichael Praetorius
3.35Once, as I Remember*Italian Traditional, arr. Charles Wood
3.34Psallite UnigenitoMichael Praetorius
3.37Salve PueruleMarc-Antoine Charpentier
3.39Shepherds, in the Field AbidingFrench Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.40Sing we to this Merry Company15th century English, ed. John Stevens
3.38Star CarolJohn Rutter
3.41Stille NachtFranz Xaver Gruber, arr. Donald Cashmore
3. 8Sunny BankPeter Hurford
3. 4SusanniRichard Rodney Bennett
3.45There is no RoseBenjamin Britten
3.App.1This Joyful Eastertide*Dutch Traditional, arr. Charles Wood
3.44Tryste NoelHerbert Howells
3.18Wexford CarolIrish Traditional, arr. John Rutter
3.47What Child is This?English Traditional, arr. David Willcocks
3.49What Sweeter MusicRichard Rodney Bennett
4. 1Adeste FidelesWillcocks
4. 2Angels, from the Realms of GloryWillcocks
4. 5Away in a MangerKirkpatrickWillcocks
4. 6The Cherry Tree CarolWillcocks
4. 7Coventry CarolRutter
4. 8Deck the HallRutter
4. 9Ding Dong! Merrily on HighWillcocks
4.10Donkey CarolRutter
4.11The First NowellWillcocks
4.13Gabriel's MessageRutter
4.14God Rest you Merry, Gentlemen Willcocks
4.15Good King WenceslasPiae Cantionesarr. Willcocks
4.16Hail! Blessed Virgin MaryWood
4.17Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohndesc. Willcocks
4.18He Smiles within His CradleWillcocks
4.19The Holly and the IvyRutter
4.20How Far is it to Bethlehem?Willcocks
4.21I Saw Three ShipsWillcocksChristmas
4.22I Sing of a MaidenHadley
4.23Il est né le divin enfantRutter
4.24In Dulci Jubilo Pearsall
4.25In Dulci Jubilo RutterPearsall
4.26The Infant KingRutter
4.27It Came Upon the Midnight ClearSullivanWillcocks
4.28King Jesus hath a GardenRutter
4.30Lute-book LullabyBalletRutter
4.31A Merry ChristmasRutter
4.32Nativity CarolRutter
4.33A New Year CarolBritten
4.34O Come, all ye FaithfulWillcocks
4.36O Little Town of BethlehemWillcocks
4.37Once in Royal David's City GauntlettWillcocks
4.38Past Three a ClockRutter
4.39Personent HodieRutter
4.40Quelle est cette odeur agréableWillcocks
4.41'Quem Pastores Laudavere'Rutter
4.42RockingWillcocks
4.43See Amid the Winter's SnowGossed. Willcocks
4.44Shepherd's Pipe CarolRutter
4.45Star CarolPontRutter
4.46Stille NachtGruberRutter
4.47Sussex CarolWillcocks
4.48There is no RoseBritten
4.49Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing DayRutter
4.50Unto us is Born a SonPiae Cantionesarr. Willcocks
4.51Up! Good Christen folk, and ListenPiae Cantionesed. Woodward
4.52A Virgin Most PureRutter
4.53While Shepherds WatchedWillcocks