Music For Special Occasions (Secular)

Reviews / Votes

The brief notes at the beginning of this volume describe the book as being for 'upper voice choirs, school groups and adult choirs with limited numbers of male singers who are looking for a valuable new music resource', and it does what it sets out to do. The arrangements by two of Faber's favourite arrangers are excellent, approachable, singable and pleasant to listen to. The pieces have been carefully chosen; you'll find something here to get the guests going at the reception (Congratulations, which is a good arrangement even if you hate the tune; Circle of Life; Ode to Joy; Auld Lang Syne and You'll Never Walk Alone), to walk in to a civil ceremony to (The ubiquitous 'Here comes the bride' makes an appearance, though, interestingly with an additional B-section one doesn't normally hear), or to have during while the registers are signed, into which category fall most of the rest, and the 'reflective' element of the book: My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose, Ombra mai fu, Londonderry Air (an interesting, melancholy setting of the song), and a new and lovely setting of She Walks in Beauty by L'Estrange. Of course, you don't need to sing these just at weddings; some would make fine concert pieces for a beginners' choir. The bass part can be omitted if need be.



Music Teacher, November 2008