Twenty-four carols arranged by the eminent choral director Robert Shaw and the respected Alice Parker. Shaw-Parker arrangements are famous and recorded by everyone, including Shaw's various ensembles. Described as a mixed voice collection, these twenty-four carols have varying voicings, with frequent solo opportunities. There are also a few tenor/bass charts. Most have piano for rehearsal.

Taken from the first arrangements on which Robert Shaw and Alice Parker collaborated, these titles were selected from hundreds of familiar and forgotten works for their musical and poetic excellence. The arrangements were made as simple as possible in order to let the words shine through the choral tone and texture while achieving variety from changes in voicing in a constant effort to reflect the most subtle articulations of the text. The earliest song in this collection is the ancient chant 'Christ the Lord Hath Risen.' Other familiar hymns come from the sacred tradition: 'The Strife is O'er,' and 'O Sons and Daughters.' The re-telling of the Easter story, and the joy of the Easter season, should shine forth through the singing of these songs. Listen, re-enact and give voice to the central mystery, in order that all who hear may join the celebration.

This invaluable collection contains 21 hymns, folk hymns, carols, and spirituals -- all set by the renowned talents of Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. The collection serves as a brief history of sacred song, beginning with early hymns of the church and culminating with spirituals from the New World.