Page 4 - UYMP Anthems for Sopranos, Altos and Unison Males Singers

Introduction
This collection of anthems is intended to provide modern but approachable and singable works for choirs that face the challenge of finding appropriate repertoire for ensembles with few tenors or basses. The composers were challenged to write anthems that remain within a reasonable voice range, that provide vocal lines of interest for each part, that ensure that accompaniments help singers find starting notes and reinforce vocal lines, and have accompaniments that work on organ or piano and are not outrageously difficult. The composers were given a free hand in their choice of text but what emerged was a variety of approaches that together provide a useful resource for the church year.
As well as Notes on the composers, the anthology includes guidance on each anthem (on pages 79–80). This guidance of course does not need to be followed but it is hoped that some choir leaders will find the notes useful.
The University of York Music Press (UYMP) was founded in 1995 and is dedicated to
the support and promotion of living composers. As well as publishing distinguished established composers such as David Blake, Robert Saxton, Ann Boyd, David Lumsdaine, Nigel Osborne and Trevor Wishart, UYMP has, since its foundation, made one of its priorities the encouragement of young and upcoming composers. Altogether over 50 composers are represented in the UYMP catalogue. Ten of these have contributed to this anthology.
The composers’ enthusiasm for the creation of this anthology has been heart-warming and inspiring. We hope that choirs and their leaders will find much to enthuse and inspire them.
Leslie East Trustee, University of York Music Press Chair, Trustees, The Association of British Choral Directors
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