S.A.T.B.

traditional Korean melody with new words & arranged by Douglas Coombes

This is a lovely reflective piece, allowing opportunities for lots of expressive singing. The pentatonic melody has a Far Eastern feel, and with these new Christmas words, in English, provides a great new addition to Christmas repertoire. All parts lie well within the vocal ranges. Straightforward piano accompaniment.

An approach to choral singing through fun and effective warm-ups & pieces, which help everyone to sing & sound good

Starting from the premise that everyone would like to be able to sing together with others, and do it well, Bette Gray-Fow explains her approach to singing with groups of all ages and experience. She does not avoid the thorny problem of 'technique' and has uncovered and explained some of its mysteries, sufficient to enable singers to improve what they are doing, and thereby, gain greater enjoyment and sense of accomplishment. Her work is a layered approach from firm foundations, maintaining that it is not always necessary or desirable to use printed music in the early stages. Nevertheless, this book does contain 4 choral pieces (which may be photocopied) and various warm-up and preparatory exercises and the reasons why they are recommended. Most of all, they are fun with bags of 'street cred'.

44 pages + cover ISBN 0 85957 050 9

Douglas Coombes [after G.F.Handel based on Hallelujah Chorus]
SATB with keyboard accompaniment, of moderate difficulty, but of maximum excitement, this re-working of Handel's best-known chorus by Douglas Coombes will have your audiences rocking in the aisles! There is a strong rock-gospel feel about this piece which choirs will love performing. The accompaniment works well on piano, but lends itself to electronic keyboard treatment too. A favourite at home and overseas.

Hot Hallelujah reviewed
Ever heard of Breezy Bach? Well this is a kind of Hurricane Handel. Using Handel's chorus "Hallelujah", Coombes has created a rock-style variation in 3 editions (SSA, SATB, TTBB).It starts deceptively calmly before breaking into a frenzy of syncopated "Hallelujahs" insterspersed with bits of the original. The piano accompaniment, although notated, is intended to be used freely, taking the notes supplied as a guide. A useful encore if you need one. Stephen Pusey - Sheet Music magazine

by Douglas Coombes
This is a single movement of profound beauty and emotion. The choral writing is of moderate difficulty, but the music speaks powerfully.
In Latin with piano/organ accompaniment.
Orchestral accompaniment also available ON HIRE
CD of UK premiere performance (live) of complete REQUIEM: Coombes now available price £7.50(inc.VAT)

by Douglas Coombes
This is a continuous piece in which the story of the Annunciation right through to the flight from Egypt is told in 9 choral movements, linked with music and narration. The narration is based on chapters 1 & 2 from Matthew & Luke (New Testament) and the texts for the choral movements are traditional, 15th century and also by the composer himself.


The SATB edition was completed shortly after the original SSA version was created. Larry Dorminy, a church music director in Pennsylvania, USA, a close friend of the composer, was staying at Douglas Coombes' home and on hearing the work, immediately asked Douglas to make the SATB version. He then performed it with his church choir shortly after the SSA world premiere was done, in December 2000. In the SATB performance, it actually formed part of the Christmas Eve service and was acted-out in a series of tableaux while the choir and narrator performed the music. Duration 30 minutes.
For Narrator, SATB Choir & keyboard (organ/piano).

traditional North American folk song arranged by Douglas Coombes
SATB with piano/keyboard accompaniment
(orchestral accompaniment also available on hire)


This is a real fun piece. If you want something to lift the mood, this is just the thing. It's as if the choir is having a party right there in concert. The straightforward arrangement incorporates clapping, glissandi and stomping - as if in a square dance. Written for a community choir, St. Mary's Singers, Potton, Bedfordshire, England as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, this is a highly accessible and rewarding arrangement.

music Douglas Coombes
Written for the French choral society 'Collegium de Senlis' this is a dramatic new setting of the Mass [Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei]. Duration approx. 40 minutes. A substantial work for mixed choir. Plenty of rhythmic drive with melodic beauty from one of Britain's best-known choral writers. A small amount of sub-division mainly within the soprano part. Rewarding to work at and to perform.
SATB soli, SATB choir & orchestra <Actinic:Variable Name = 'Latin'/> Price: vocal score £5.95. Orchestral parts on hire only.
CD by Suwon Civic Chorale (with piano accompaniment only) now available price £7.50 (inc.VAT) - also contains separate anthem DONA NOBIS PACEM: Coombes

Comments from performers & audience:
"Eminently approachable style and from the orchestra's point of view, very playable." Janet Hicks, orchestra leader.

"The Mass was exciting, passionate and every note, compulsive listening". Robert McArthur, Chairman Stevenage Arts Guild.

"Everyone involved in both orchestra & choir thoroughly enjoyed rehearsing and performing this lovely work, which hugely rewards listener and performer alike". Trevor Hughes, Musical Director, Stevenage Music Society.

"I wanted to personally express my admiration for the religious and musical beauty of your Mass". Jacques Grimaux, member of Collegium de Senlis.

"One of the many things that drew me to your Mass was its spirituality - even the non-Christians in the group grasped how well the text is served". Robert J. Reilley, director The Mastersingers of Philadelphia. USA.

music Douglas Coombes
A joyous setting, ideal for larger combinations of singers. Suitable for celebratory occasions. Competent pianist required. Duration about 5 minutes.
SA, SATB & Piano

music by Douglas Coombes
(SATB with piano/keyboard accompaniment)
A choral cycle of seven songs about birds
This cycle uses words by Thomas Heywood (c1575-c1650), William Blake (1757-1827), Alexander Wilson (1766-1813), Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) and traditional folk poetry from the UK and the USA. Musically, it is not too difficult for the singers, and ranges in style from reflective (in close harmony) to the rhythmic and sheer good fun, via the highly dramatic second movement ‘A Robin Redbreast in a cage’. The piano accompaniment offers some challenges, but most amateur choirs will be able to take on this work with pleasing results.
Duration approx: 25 minutes

Words Thomas Nashe. music Douglas Coombes
An evocative setting including bird-calls, offering a satisfying challenge. Works well with chamber or larger choirs. Ideal for festivals.
SATB a cappella.

by Douglas Coombes
For Soprabo solo, SATB Choir, Brass Quintet, Organ). This work was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church of Paoli in Pennsylvania, USA., where it was first performed in 2000. It has since received performances in the UK. Douglas Coombes¹s music is both tuneful and rhythmically strong with episodes of quiet reflection as well as sheer dance-like joyfulness. The work is written in a single movement.
Scored for an accompaniment of brass quintet, timpani and keyboard, it is also effective with organ only if forces do not permit the larger group.
English text ­ 56pp. Duration approx. 18 minutes.
Vocal score ­ price £4.95.
Instrumental parts available on hire only.

Written for the Manteliusensemble of Hasselt, Belgium and their conductor Jos Cuppens
This 3-movement work offers challenge and reward. In Latin.
i Jesu, Rex admirabilis
ii Salve Regina
iii Duo Seraphim

Vocal score Price £4.95
[piano/keyboard accompaniment.]
Demonstration CD also available
Parts for flute, harp & ‘cello on hire only from the publishers.

by Douglas Coombes
Vocal score (Narrator, Sop. solo, SATB Choir & Organ). Like the Te Deum this was also commissioned by Paoli Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania, USA and is a work of oratorio proportions, telling the whole of the Easter story, using a variety of texts - including two by the composer (Judas and Betrayed by a kiss). The music is continuous, although the ten choral movements may be sung in isolation as anthems etc. Instead of sung recitative, the narrative is spoken, broadening the opportunities for performance. First performed at Easter 2003 in the USA by the commissioning body.
English text ­ 126pp. Duration approx. 1hr 15mins.