Percy SnowdonPercy Snowdon (1930-1983)

Percy was a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Sheffield City Polytechnic (now Sheffield Hallam University), with a keen interest in his subject paralleled by a strong musical talent and a deep love of his native Northumberland. In 1966 he founded the Sheffield Motet Singers, conducting them until his death of a heart attack in 1983. This choir continued under other leadership until 2001, with many of the original singers still in it..

He first penned music in 1975, with his unaccompanied setting of Mendlessohn's "Denn er hat seinen Engeln" from Elijah, which always remained a favourite with the Motet Singers. His folk song arrangements were first performed in 1983, after their conception inspired by a Northumbrian holiday. Encouraged by the enthusiastic response of singers and audience, he went on to compose the Ave Maria and the very different Betelgeuse, before his sudden and unexpected death.

John Kilpatrick, from notes by Margaret Snowdon.

Percy Snowdon's Music (free choral music in the public domain)

Denn er hat seinen Engeln (Mendelssohn)     SSAATTBB
Percy Snowdon's 1975 arrangement for unaccompanied singers of the motet from Elijah. Words in German.
     PDF (79KB)             Midi
 True to Mendelssohn's original, except for small alterations and supplementations to make up for the missing accompaniment. 
Northumbrian Folk Songs      
Excellent unaccompanied settings. Inspired by a holiday, though Percy was himself of Northumbrian origin.
 Complete Set with cover sheets - 24 pages  PDF  (258KB)
for individual folk-songs print the page range shown from the above PDF 
no 1 - Wrap up, roll up           pp 2-3         Midi     A short Strathspey, 4-part SATB
 no 2 - Dance to your daddy   pp 4-9         Midi     SSAATB (could be SSATB or even SATB - very few divisions)       
 no 3 - Sair fyeld, hinny           pp 10-12     Midi     4-part SATB (about 2 tenor notes divide) "Sore failed, honey"
 no 4 - Bonny at morn             pp 13-16     Midi     SATB (some div. T & B) + Sop. solo
 no 5 - Adam Buckham O       pp 17-23     Midi     SATB (div.)  A first rate arrangement, and amusing words!
Betelgeuse     SATB div. unaccompanied.
     PDF              Midi
 A beautiful and haunting piece, set to words by H Wolfe.
Ave Maria      SATB div. unaccompanied.
     PDF              Midi
 A slightly astringent rendering, with some bright passages; worth a look.

Link to John Kilpatrick's Music Page

Link to John Earwaker's Music Page