Shout For The King!

Recital Music has developed a large, exciting and eclectic catalogue of Christmas music for choirs in recent years. Some works are published for the first time, others are in new editions, and we aim to provide accessible andenjoyable choral music for choirs of all ages and abilities. Enjoy!

Shout for the King! is a joyous and vibrant carol for junior choir and piano. It's Latin-American influence has proved popular with choirsand audiences alike and a double bass and percussion can easily be added for extra energy and atmosphere.

Chord symbols are included for optional double bass or guitar accompaniment.

The composer writes: 'Shoutforthe King! was composed one evening in December 2004. At the time I was training as a Primary School teaching assistant and involved in playing the piano for the school's various Christmas musical events and concerts. It was thefirst time I had written both lyrics and music, which both came to me at the same time. I subsequently taught the song to the children in the days which followed, which they loved, and it was the first time a 'real' composer hadwritten anything for them. A week later it was premiered at the school carol concert with me playing the piano.

I have always wanted to write a new and catchy Christmas carol, drawing influences from all the familiar oneswe know and love every Christmas. I also wanted the melody of the verses and chorus to be catchy and repetitive, and would be easy and enjoyable for junior choirs to learn. I have always had a fondness for Latin-American rhythms,hence the happy groove which I think add to the appeal!'

Born in Cardiff in 1975 and trained in piano and flute at school Jay Mackie studied composition as an undergraduate at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from1997-2000 and completed an MMus gaining a distinction in Composition in 2004.

At college Jayson received three scholarship prizes for composing where his Wind Quintet was a featured work at the ISCM's World Music Days