COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
Keith Orrell’s catalogue of compositions and arrangements contain a substantial list of choral works (both sacred and secular); both accompanied and unaccompanied music for church or liturgical use; and orchestral and instrumental pieces written during a period of some 45 years, from teenage to mature works.
All pieces on this list have been successfully performed, and in some cases, repeatedly performed. Some are written with ease and practicality in mind, but equally a few deliberately challenge the performer and listener, so there is something here which is suitable for most musicians to explore and perform.
If you are interested in borrowing the scores for perusal purposes, or if you wish to purchase or hire copies, contact the composer.
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS
CHORAL WORKS
A BENEDICTINE ANTHEM, OP. 8
SATB/organ
English / Sacred
3 mins
This easy anthem, satisfying to sing and easy to learn, works well both in a church setting (celebration of monasticism/Benedict or SS Peter & Paul) or in a general choral concert. It was written in 1991 to words by the curate at the time of Shrewsbury Abbey, Peter Myers. It was composed to be sung at a service celebrated by the Archbishop of York to the Abbey, where the composer was organist and choirmaster.
EXSULTET, OP. 15
SATB div. /10-piece woodwind/brass ensemble OR organ
English / Sacred
6 mins
Written in early 2016 as a piece to complement a programme which included the Stravinsky Mass, this popular piece received a very positive response on its first airing, and has since been performed elsewhere. It is based on parts of the text used at the Easter Vigil, sung by the celebrant after the Paschal fire has been lit and the Easter candle is processed into church. It is a vivid moment, recounting the triumph of light over darkness, and is a joyful celebration of the resurrection. The original stirring plainsong melody forms the basis of much of the musical content of the score. The music is distinctly uplifting, full of rhythmic energy and containing a triumphant conclusion. It is dedicated to the William Byrd Singers of Manchester, who gave its first performance.
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH, OP. 6
Unis. or SATB, 2fl ob 2 guitars (or piano), perc OR piano & oboe
English / Sacred
4 mins
An accessible, practical setting, with an original melody, of this familiar Pierpoint text. Written as an anthem for a school ‘Founder’s Day’ service in 1983, originally using the musical resources available at the time. Sunny in outlook, and easy on the ear.
FROM HARMONY, FROM HEAVENLY HARMONY, OP. 18
SATB div.
English / Secular
11 mins
This substantial choral work is a challenging, but ultimately very rewarding, piece to sing. It is ideal for inclusion in any concert which highlights the praise of music, or which has a St Cecilian theme. The piece is colourful and dramatic, containing Purcellian references (with a John Dryden text), but written in an adventurous harmonic style. Perfect for any advanced chamber choir. Written for the fifteenth anniversary concert of the William Byrd Singers of Manchester.
MAY HE SUPPORT US ALL THE DAY LONG, OP.5
SATB div.
English / Sacred
3 mins
A short, sumptuous, moving motet, suitable for a solemn occasion or general concert, setting words by Cardinal Newman, beginning and concluding as follows:
May he support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes...
Then, in his mercy, may he give us a safe lodging and a holy rest, and peace at the last.
THE SACRIFICE, OP. 16
SATB div. + 4 hn 2 tr 3 tromb tuba OR organ
English / Sacred
5 mins
An ideal work for a Lenten or general sacred choral programme. The text is taken from five selected verses from George Herbert’s epic poem The Temple. The piece is punctuated with a refrain (Was ever grief like mine?) which returns at key points in this musical setting with increasing emotional intensity. Well received at its first performance.
LITURGICAL CHORAL WORKS
CHRIST IS OUR LIGHT, OP.10
Unis. OR SAB + organ
English / Sacred
An accumulative piece, for easy choir and optional congregation, for use at the Easter Vigil, reflecting the excitement of the realisation of the Resurrection. Also available with more general joyful words for other points in the liturgical year.
CHRISTMAS KYRIE & AGNUS DEI, OP.17
A very easy pair of seasonal settings, based on the carol Away in a manger.
Practical, accessible and it raises a smile.
Unis. + organ
English / Sacred
LENTEN MASS, OP.12
SATB
Latin / Sacred
Short but beautiful settings of the Kyrie, Sanctus/Benedictus & Agnus Dei, each with a similar musical content. Largely homophonic in style, with a number of subtly coloured harmonies. It is fairly easy to learn, and written with both parish and cathedral choirs in mind.
O GLADSOME LIGHT, OP.7
A Taize-style refrain with verses for cantor. For use in an evening service or any service referring to ‘light’.
SATB + optional accompaniment
English / Sacred
TWO LITURGICAL ‘ALLELUIAS,’ OP.13
SATB + optional accompaniment
English / Sacred
No. 1: Advent Alleluia
No. 2: Ordinary Time Alleluia
Two Gospel Acclamations which could be used during different points of the church’s year.
Memorable tunes, also congregation-friendly, with simple cantor verse writing to cover a variety of acclamation texts.
ST. AGNES RESPONSORIAL MASS, OP.11
For choir and congregational responsorial use. Practical, singable, with musically thematic links. The full set contains a Kyrie, Gloria, Gospel Alleluia, Sanctus / Benedictus and Agnus Dei.
SAB OR SATB + organ
English / Sacred
MISC. SHORT CHORAL
THE CHOIR’S DEFIANCE, OP.19
A four-part round, with an amusing twist, written originally for a choir reconvening after a pandemic. Alternative texts available for general use.
Unis. OR SATB + piano/organ
English / Secular
TODAY I FEEL LIKE SINGING, OP.14
A ‘warm-up’ piece, listing some of the choral skills and positivity required to sing well. It uses a short, uplifting melody which can be transposed progressively into higher keys.
Unis. + piano/organ
English / Secular
ORCHESTRAL
MINIATURE OVERTURE, OP. 9
3(picc)222: 2221: 4p.harp or piano: str
3 mins
Written in 1988, dedicated to Newport Joint Schools’ Orchestra in Shropshire. There have been more recent performances of this work by other youth orchestras. A sparkly, rhythmic piece, suitable for any amateur or professional orchestra, and an ideal opener for any concert. A few alternative adaptations are available for amateur groups if required (e.g. clarinets covering bassoons, and trumpets covering horns).
INSTRUMENTAL
OBOE & PIANO
TWO ENGLISH SKETCHES, OP. 1
6 mins (3 + 3)
No. 1: A Moorland Sketch
No. 2: Rhapsody
Two youthful pieces (composed aged 15/16), written in a Romantic style. Tuneful, satisfying and eminently playable by semi-advanced to professional performers.
ORGAN
TWO PIECES FOR ORGAN ON ENGLISH HYMN TUNES, OP. 2
7 mins (3 + 4)
No. 1: Chorale Prelude on ‘Old Hundredth’
No. 2: Finale on ‘Repton’
Two youthful organ pieces (composed aged 17/18). The first is a testament to my love a baroque-style counterpoint, brilliantly taught to me while still at school by teacher Jack Longstaff. The ‘Old Hundredth’ hymn tune appears both in the middle texture, and later in full glory in the pedals. ‘Repton’ is more rhapsodical in style and would effectively grace the conclusion to any service, or would work well in a recital context.
PIANO
LULLABY FOR THE NATIVITY, OP. 4
An expressive piece, with dense harmonies. Rhapsodical, dreamy at times, with an other-worldly reference to the Rocking Carol melody towards the end.
6 mins
THEME AND VARIATIONS (ON A THEME BY ROBERT ORLEDGE), OP. 3
Two pianos
5 mins
A university composition and winner of the Alsop Composer’s Prize. Based on a theme provided by tutor Robert Orledge, the work explores a variety of pianistic textures and moods, including a powerful fugue-like final variation and reflective epilogue. Keith’s most original youthful composition. Realistically and practically written for two advanced pianists playing on two pianos.
ARRANGEMENTS
CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
A TRAFALGAR SEQUENCE (ARR. KJO 4)
SATB div., solo SAB + orch. (0000: 02(or3)00: t org: str)
13 mins
This piece was originally arranged to celebrate an anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, but it equally suits a proms-type concert, or a concert with a seafaring theme. Essentially it is a jolly, tuneful patriotic romp, beginning with Pierpoint’s (arranged) setting Ye Mariners of England, followed by sea shanties Tom’s gone to Hilo, Heart of Oak, and concluding with Thine be the Glory and Rule Britannia. There are ‘Nelson’ references, and the orchestration is the same as Haydn requires for his Nelson Mass.
JOHNNY TODD (ARR. KJO 11)
SATB + orch. (2222: 2231: t 2perc piano: str)
2 mins
A cheerful and humorous arrangement of this famous Liverpudlian folk tune, with its ‘Evertonian’ associations. It contains attractive rhythmic twists and an amusing final line. It is easily manageable by most SATB choirs. You can view the first page 🖼.
CHOIR & BRASS BAND
CAROL OF THE BELLS (ARR. KJO 13)
SATB + brass band
3 mins
This familiar Christmas tune has been arranged with an uplifting seasonal cheer, beginning and ending quietly, and growing as if heard in a passing procession. Very colourful and effective.
LO! THE SOUND OF YOUTHFUL VOICES (ARR. KJO 2)
SATB + brass band
3 mins
Based on John Hughes’ hymn Cwm Rhondda, this overture-style arrangement exudes positivity and sparkle, with its lively accompanimental flourishes and soaring descant in the final section. Available with English words for Christmas, but also available with an alternative text for general use.
WE WISH YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS (ARR. KJO 8)
An entertaining end-of-concert / encore arrangement, containing unexpected and humorous twists, including calypso rhythms, surprising changes of key, and a bluesy “see you next year” conclusion.
SATB + brass band
3 mins
CHOIR & VARIED ACCOMPANIMENT
AN ERISKAY LOVE-LILT (ARR. KJO 5)
SATB + organ + harp
English / Secular
3 mins
An arrangement of the haunting Kennedy-Fraser tune from the Western Isles of Scotland. An eminently singable choral piece, suitable for any Gaelic or folk-tune programme. The harp with organ accompaniment is intrinsic to the sound world of the piece.
MARY’S LULLABY (ARR. KJO 1)
SAB + piano/organ + solo wind
English / Sacred
3 mins
A traditional Polish carol, arranged simply for SAB choir (with unison sections). Beautiful and satisfying for both singer and listener. The solo wind instrument is an essential part of the arrangement (flute, oboe, clarinet, or cornet or other treble pitch instrument).
O COME, O COME EMMANUEL (ARR. KJO 6)
This ancient Advent melody is arranged with a distinctive organ & harp accompaniment; it contains some spicy harmonies, and has an uplifting conclusion. There is a practical option for audience singing participation in the final verse.
SATB + organ + harp
English / Sacred
4 mins
RING OUT, YE BELLS! (ARR. KJO 18)
SATB + organ
English / Sacred
3 mins
A modernistic organ accompaniment, full of joyous ringing bell-like phrases is set against an original melody composed by Liverpool clergyman Christopher Perrins, using words by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The choir sings largely in unison, with a soaring soprano descant in the fortissimo concluding section. Very manageable equally by a choir of limited resources or by a larger choir, but it requires an accomplished organist.
TAWEL NOS / SILENT NIGHT (ARR. KJO 17)
SATB + piano + 2 harps
Welsh/English / Sacred
5 mins
An effective and practical setting of Gruber’s Silent Night, with each verse initially in Welsh, followed each time by an English version, ideal for optional audience participation.
The 2-harp / piano version is the most effective, but the version with piano is also possible.
CHOIR & PIANO
CALON LAN (ARR. KJO 12)
Unis. or SA + piano OR
SATB + piano
Welsh / Secular
3 mins
A stirring and practical setting of this famous Welsh tune in three-time, originally composed by John Hughes. A ‘winner’ for either childrens or adult choirs, with a concluding descant in the final verse. Welsh phonetics available also.
HWIANGERDD MAIR (ARR. KJO 16)
SATB + piano
Welsh/ Sacred
3 mins
A dark and mysterious arrangement of a Welsh carol by Haydn Morris. On the surface, it is a comforting cradle song, but Mary’s fears about her baby’s destiny cloud the musical atmosphere. An interesting piece, especially when the accompaniment falls silent before the end, leaving the choir alone. Welsh phonetics available.
IN EXCELSIS GLORIA (ARR. KJO 14)
SATB + piano/organ
Welsh / Sacred
3 mins
An English hymn tune (‘Noel’) by Arthur Brown,arranged for a Welsh choir, with a sparkling organ accompaniment, Welsh phonetics available. Each verse contains a memorable refrain with a repetitive text, whose musical material is ultimately used to transpose the music rather wonderfully into a higher key for the final verse. The organ accompaniment has the last say, in an amusingly hesitant manner.
LOWER LIGHTS (ARR. KJO 9)
SATB + piano + cornet
Welsh / Sacred
3 mins
An uplifting arrangement of a hymn by Philip Bliss, translated into Welsh. Welsh phonetics available. The piece is in three-time with a stirring refrain. The necessary solo cornet part could be played by another treble clef solo instrument.
O! SEREN WEN (ARR. KJO 10)
List Body
SATB + piano + cornet
Welsh / Sacred
3 mins
PASSETIME WITH GOOD COMPANY (ARR. KJO 3)
List Body
TB + piano
English / Sacred
TUA BETHLEM DREF (ARR. KJO 7)
List Body
SATB + piano
Welsh / Sacred
MISC. CHORAL 'SHORTS'
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM THE BYRDS (ARR. KJO 15)
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SATB
English / Secular
1 min