MP3 files of Christmas Carols:

In the run up to Christmas, Carols seem to be everywhere: on television, on the radio, in shops and more. Here are a selection of MP3 files of Christmas Carols, arranged for keyboard (piano or organ) or for guitar:

Joplin, Scott (1868-1917) :

Scott Joplin grew up in the time and place where a new music was evolving. He was one of the pioneers of ragtime making a name for himself with "Maple Leaf Rag". Usually credited solely to Jopin, "Swipesy" was a collaboration with his pupil Arthur Marshall. Scott Joplin is almost an exact contemporary of Debussy, and in fact influenced some of his work. Ragtime in general and Scott Joplin in particular reached a new audience when "The Entertainer" was used on the soundtrack to the movie "The Sting".

• Elite Syncopations
• The Easy Winners
• Solace
• Maple Leaf Rag
• Swipesy (with Arthur Marshall)
• The Entertainer
• The Chrysanthemum

MP3 files of Military Bugle Calls

These are traditional pieces which have been used by the armed forces for centuries as a means of communication. The bugle can be heard over long distances, and is an effective way to communicate simple information and orders to a large number of people. The calls are frequently used to signal events requiring action, a familiar one being the "Charge" of the US Cavalry as shown and heard in many Western movies. Perhaps the best-know of all bugle calls is "The Last Post". This marks the end of the day, and is also used as a mark of respect for the dead at funerals and commemorative ceremonies. To mark the start of the day, different forces from different parts of the world use different tunes. The "Rouse" is a short wake-up call, and the "Reveille" is a longer call used under similar circumstances.

• Last Post
• Rouse
• Reveille

Hymns and Church Music :

There is an enormous range of music to draw from in this category, and we select here only a representative sample from our favourites:

• Amazing Grace by William Walker
• Bringing in the Sheaves by George Minor
• Rock of Ages by Thomas Hastings
• Shall We Gather at the River by Robert Lowry
• Onward Christian Soldiers by Arthur Sullivan
• Tallis' Canon by Thomas Tallis
• Third Mode Melody by Thomas Tallis
• Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn
• Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner

Jean-Baptiste Lemire:

This waltz is an example of French brass band music. The music of Jean-Baptiste Lemire is preserved and promoted by Tanguy Lemire whose web-site includes music and material about his grandfather.

• Lelette (for keyboard)

Occasional:

Auld Lang Syne is a traditional melody used to mark the togetherness of a group or community at the close of an event, but particularly to mark the midnight clock chimes for a New Year.

• Auld Lang Syne