Jubilate Carol CompetitionWe are delighted to announce the winning entry in our 25th Anniversary carol competition: Rorate, caeli, desuper! by Charles West.
Many thanks to our panel of judges: Dr Stephen Darlington MBE, Organist Emeritus of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, Dr Phillip Cooke, Head of Composition at Aberdeen University, and James Morley Potter, choral director and conductor of Jubilate Chamber Choir. We had nearly fifty entries, so their task was not a small one. The judges commented on the uniformly high standard, and an exciting array of different styles and responses to the texts. Of the winning entry they said: This is a well-crafted carol, confidently executed in an ebullient style, with excellent directional thrust and plenty of rhythmic interest. It could confidently sit alongside a great deal of published material, and we feel certain the choir will enjoy singing it, and audiences will enjoy hearing it. Many thanks also to all those who entered the competition and congratulations to those who made the final shortlist: Matt MacGregor - Rorate, caeli Ian Assersohn - I sing of a maiden Frederick Viner - The Annunciation William Anderson - I syng of a mayden The winner of the competition receives a prize of £250 and the carol will be performed by the choir in Jubilate’s Christmas concert at 7.30 pm on Friday 13th December 2019 in Keble College Chapel, Oxford. It will be in good company with pieces by contemporary composers Arvo Pӓrt , Jan Sandström, Phillip Cooke and Jonathan Lane as well as an array of classics by Parsons, Mouton, Howells, Bruckner, Villette, Berkeley. Tickets can be purchased on the door or from TicketsOxford. 
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Winner - Charles West
Although trained initially as a classical pianist, Charles later became interested in jazz and went on to form two jazz trios before setting aside further public performance to pursue a career in medicine. Still with a keen interest in classical and jazz composition, his writing has recently shifted more towards choral music, both sacred and secular, possibly as a result of his appointment as musical director to two local choirs. Creating music in Community Theatre also brings with it the great enjoyment of working with people of all ages and talents. | ||
Text Option 1 |
Text Option 2 |
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1. I sing of a maiden
That is makeless King of all kings To her son she ches 2. He came all so still Where His mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass. 3. He came all so still To His mother's bower, As dew in April That falleth on the flower. |
4. He came all so still
Where His mother lay, As dew in April That falleth on the spray. 5. Mother and maiden Was never none but she: Well may such a lady God's mother be. [Anon 15th Century] |
1. Rorate, celi, desuper!
Heavens distill your balmy showers, For now is risen the bright day star From the rose Mary, flower of flowers. The clear son whom no cloud devours, Surmounting Phebus in the east Is coming of His heavenly towers; Et nobis puer natus est. 2. Archangels, angels, and dominations, Thrones, powers, and martyrs seir [many], And all ye heavenly operations, Star, planet, firmament, and sphere, Fire, earth, air, and water clear, To Him give loving, most and least, That come into so meek manner; Et nobis puer natus est. 3. Sing, heaven imperial, most of height, Regions of air make harmony; All fish in flood and fowl of flight Be mirthful and make melody. All Gloria in excelsis cry – Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird, and beast – He that is crowned above the sky Pro nobis puer natus est. William Dunbar (c.1460-1520), abridged and modernised |
