Rejoice and sing! was written in celebration of the 95th birthday of Sir David Willcocks. John Rutter writes: I was delighted to be asked by OUP to compose a new carol in his honour. Writing 'Rejoice and sing!' I recalled the many happy Christmas concerts he conducted with the Bach Choir in London's Royal Albert Hall, thinking also of his fondness for quirky rhythms, hence the lopsided 7/8 which runs through much of the music. This arrangement is written for combined Concert Band and Chorus, but may be performed by band alone. It is compatible with the original version except that it is transposed down by one-half step (semi-tone).
