Commissioned by Andrew Arthur for the Chapel Choir of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. A tender shoot sets a well-known Advent text that reflects on Christ as the ‘tender shoot’ rising from the root of Jesse – a potent image of promise, renewal, and light emerging from darkness. This setting responds to that symbolism with a warm and lyrical melodic line, gently unfolding over a harmonically rich and expressive backdrop. Subtle chromatic inflections and moments of dissonance serve to highlight the emotional turning points in the text. Written with liturgical and concert use in mind.