for SATB (with divisions) and piano Higgins's arrangements of three North-American traditional songs are sophisticated and beautiful, supported by well-crafted piano accompaniments. The first, 'Bright morning stars', is illuminated by a shimmering piano part with opportunities for a soloist or small group. Energy and bounce is abundant throughout the second, 'Little wheel a-turnin'', where the melody is passed around the voices and coloured with interesting harmonies. The last piece, 'He's gone away', is a parting song between two lovers with flowing melodies and accompaniment, and ends on a note of anticipation.
Michael Higgins is a pianist, composer and arranger, and is Artistic Director of the professional chamber choir Sonoro. With a special interest in choral accompaniment, Michael is in demand with some of the leading choirs in the country and works with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, London Voices, and the BBC Singers. As a composer and arranger he has written for Farnham Youth Choir, the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, as well as music for television, corporate films and commercials. Many of his works are published by the Royal School of Church Music, Novello, and Oxford University Press. Michael studied piano at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal Academy of Music, London, and at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest.
