APPY ST CECILIA’S DAY! I hope the day brings you much cake and song. Enjoy Aurelio’s tour of the Church of St Cecilia with Sister Margaret.
Today I thought I’d talk about books of Christmas carols. I’ve mentioned websites like Hymns and Carols of Christmas before, but nothing beats having a paper copy in your hand – or on your music stand.
Books like the Oxford Book of Carols, Faber Book of Carols and the Cambridge Carol-Book will always stand as reference books. Christmas Carols by Karl Schulte seems the most ubiquitous collection ever. The Usborne Book of Christmas Carols is good for people looking for easy piano arrangements.
Silent Night 2 is a little booklet from the Transalpine Redemptorists at Papa Stronsay. Inside are lyrics for many favourite Christmas carols reflecting something of the diversity of the monks. Available here.
But my favourite has to be A Collection of Christmas Carols. Benjamin Bloomfield has collected over 150 Christmas Carols into one book. They are all typed up with Lilypond and hosted with Github.
You can download the pdf.
You can buy a spiral bound copy through Lulu or a regular paperback through Amazon.
You can buy bulk quantities in paperback through Createspace with the wholesale discount.
All available at acollectionofchristmascarols.com.
The photo shows a paperback copy and a home printed and comb bound copy.
And if you’re thinking of buying a spiral bound copy through Lulu: Today through November 24, get 30% off all softcover books with code FLASH30 and 50% off all hardcover books with code HC50.
Remember Jeff’s list of Lulu books here.
I had a go at a list of my own favourites here (including educational and books for children).
