Published by BrookWright Music - www.brookwrightmusic.com

PDFs available from www.brookwrightmusic.com/product-page/city-of-david-brass-band-philip-rayment

Sheet music available from brassband.co.uk

This engaging major Christmas work features three carols or songs associated with the place of Christ’s birth: Once In Royal David’s City, O Little Town of Bethlehem (Forest Green) and How Far Is It To Bethlehem?

During Old Testament times, the city of Jerusalem had been considered the ‘City of David’, as the political and spiritual capital of Israel. However, after Christ’s birth, that name was given to the town of Bethlehem - a quiet farming village in the countryside. This new designation is first mentioned in the Gospel of Luke: ‘‘For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:11)

A variety of moods are used to express:
- The crowds of people arriving in Bethlehem to be taxed, overtaking the town, leaving no room for a young, pregnant Mary and her husband.
- The stillness of the countryside on the eve of Christ’s birth.
- The excitement of worshippers celebrating the birth of a Saviour.

This performance features the Canadian Staff Band of The Salvation Army, conducted by Bandmaster John Lam, at Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto.