“A child is born in Bethlehem was composed in 1982 for Norwich School Choir, and was first performed in the school carol service that year in Norwich Cathedral. It takes a text from Carols for Choirs, which I have adapted slightly by adding an extra verse.  This lively setting was later published by Oxford University Press, and it has since become my best selling piece of choral music! I am delighted to support this CD which is being sold in aid of Cancer Research UK. My mother died of cancer in 1999, and I am full of admiration for the wonderful care given to cancer patients by hospice staff, and also for the costly but vital research which is ongoing in trying to get to grips with this complex disease. I do hope that this CD will not only bring joy to those who hear it, but also make a significant donation to an excellent and worthwhile cause.”
Malcolm Archer

“What a great project, great idea, great cause! I feel honoured to be amongst the other composers on this selection and could not be happier about supporting Cancer Research UK. My Romance of the Epiphany is intended to be joyous and fun, as if the choir are dancing with their voices - indeed, the origin of the European carol lies in dance music, so I'm not doing anything new here, even if the swung Latin-American rhythms may be a bit of a departure from the classic snowy calm of the likes of Ord, Warlock and Darke. Plus, in my experience, Romances and choirs seem to go together well, mistletoe or not!”
Howard Goodall

“I wrote What Sweeter Music in 1987 for the renowned choir of King's College, Cambridge. It was to be sung after the reading about the gifts of the wise men, and I felt that Robert Herrick's lovely text was not only just right in that context, but also seemed to sum up exactly what carols are for and what Christmas is all about. I am delighted that it is being included in this album of carols supporting such a very fine cause.”
John Rutter

“Cancer Research UK is something very close to my heart as not only have I lost family members and friends to the disease, but I have also witnessed some of them succeed in beating it too. This is, of course, largely down to the invaluable work undertaken by Cancer Research UK and I can only wish them every success in their future endeavours to find a lasting cure. I hope this CD will be an enormous success and, more importantly, that it will continue to carry the message that Cancer Research UK needs our constant support and help to find funding for their work which helps and saves the lives of so many people.”
Nigel Short

“Cancer is something we all fear. I'm lucky I haven't had it yet. I'm glad to think that the sales of this record will support the search for a cure.”
John Gardner

“I was delighted to hear that Lydia Smallwood's and my Christmas Blessing was to be included on this disc. We wrote it originally when Lydia was Manager of the Rodolfus Choir, and we needed such a piece for a broadcast on a BBC Songs of Praise. This little piece displays her gift for finding the right words. It was around this time that she became ill of what turned out to be cancer. She died in June this year (2006). It is common to describe someone as 'brave' during an illness, but in Lydia's case I came to know what it really meant. Throughout her illness she never lost her altruism, nor did she ever indulge in self-pity. She remained a joy to know till the end.”
Ralph Allwood

“I am delighted that my little work of pastiche (which I think of as evidence of a misspent youth!) is once again being put to a worthy charitable purpose.”
Andrew Johnstone