Sir David Willcocks: A Celebration in Carols marks the 95th birthday of one of the most acclaimed choral conductors, editors, and arrangers of our time. A survey of his work, the collection brings together many of Willcocks's best-loved carol arrangements, spanning his career as co-editor of Carols for Choirs and as conductor of the UK's finest choirs. It includes a selection of his original compositions too, and gives an overview of the styles and traditions that have enhanced the Christmas musical experience of thousands of singers and listeners. As an affectionate birthday tribute, A Celebration also includes specially-commissioned new carols by John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, and Jonathan Willcocks.

This is a wonderful tribute to Sir David on his 95th birthday. The scores of 15 of his classic carols are joined by one each from John Rutter, Jonathan Willcocks and Bob Chilcott . . . David Willcocks's own carols are ordered chronologically from Away in a manger (Carols for Choirs 1) to Jingle Bells (100 Carols for Choirs), followed by three more recent ones - Lullay, my liking (2006), High Word of God, eternal light (2008) and Starry night (2004) . . . One cannot help being moved by Jonathan Willcocks's Nowell, nowell! 'for David, with love and admiration' and by Bob Chilcottâs There is no rose dying away into the gentlest repetition of 'transeamus' - 'let us follow' to conclude the volume. This handsomely produced book, with a chocolate box King's College in snow on the front and a warmly smiling Sir David on the back, allows us all to share in its affectionate birthday tribute. Stephen Patterson, Sunday by Sunday, Sept 15

Born in 1919, David Willcocks began his musical career as a chorister at Westminster Abbey, later winning scholarships to Clifton College and King's College, Cambridge. Following war service, he was elected Fellow of King's College, and later became Organist of Salisbury and Worcester Cathedrals, conducting the Three Choirs Festival whilst at Worcester. Willcocks returned to King's College, Cambridge as Director of Music from 1957-1974, with the first collection of his arrangements in the Carols for Choirs series publishing in 1961. He was Director of Music at the Royal College of Music from 1974-1984, and was knighted in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Honours List in 1977. Willcocks also conducted The Bach Choir for 38 years, retiring in 1998. Sir David died in September 2015.