Robin Stopford
Anthems, Mass settings, responses and carols for parish and cathedral choirs, with a few pieces for instruments along the way.
Every score here is free to download, print and perform. The two newest works are premiered in 2027, so for now you can look inside one and get a first taste of the other.
2023
Eight-part choir (SSAATTBB), unaccompanied. About 4 minutes.
Written for John Robinson and the choir of Blackburn Cathedral. A quiet, prayerful opening in five-in-a-bar, a lilting middle section and a soft close. It suits Marian feasts, Advent and Evensong.
SATB and organ
Psalm 84, for the 150th anniversary of Bury Parish Church. First performed February 2027, free to download soon after.
Look insideChoral suite in five movements
For the centenary of Preston Cecilian Choral Society. First performance March 2027. Scores for hire from the society.
Coming soonSATB or unison voices, with piano
Kyries in a slow blues, a big band swing Gloria and a sultry blues Agnus Dei. Takes some themes from the All Saints' Mass. With a recording to listen to.
Look inside and downloadSATB and organ, with descant
A hymn for the 60th anniversary of All Saints', New Longton. Words by Carol Hallam.
Look inside and downloadUnison voices or SATB, with organ or piano
For All Saints' Church, New Longton. First sung on Easter Day 2024. The unison version suits churches with no choir.
Look inside and downloadSSAATTBB (eight-part choir), unaccompanied
For John Robinson and the choir of Blackburn Cathedral.
Look inside and downloadSoprano and piano
For Rachel Little. Words by Ellis Nightingale.
Look inside and downloadSATB and piano
Words by Isaac Watts. For Maya, Robin's granddaughter.
Look inside and downloadSATB and organ
Words from the Gospel for the Second Sunday in Advent, on a melody by Neil Inkley.
Look inside and downloadSATB, unaccompanied, with the Lord's Prayer
First sung by Blackburn Cathedral Choir, directed by John Robinson, in 2023. Both pieces in one download.
Look inside and downloadSATB and organ
Words by Neil Inkley, for the Prayer Book Society. First sung 27 November 2019. Full and simplified versions.
Look inside and downloadSATB, unaccompanied
An introit to open a carol service, using the same words as Britten's A Boy was Born. With a recording by Preston Orpheus Choir.
Look inside and downloadSATB and piano
A popular setting of Christina Rossetti's words, with a soprano solo. With a recording by Preston Orpheus Choir.
Look inside and downloadSATB and piano or organ
A lively anthem for the Rev. Phil Gough and Leyland Methodist Church, 2018.
Look inside and downloadSATB, unaccompanied
A reflective piece for Company of Voyces. Suits an introit, Passiontide and Holy Week.
Look inside and downloadFlute and piano
A short, lyrical piece, first performed on 4 May 2017.
Look inside and downloadSATB and organ or piano
A lively, rhythmical carol for Company of Voyces.
Look inside and downloadSATB and piano
About the love in the stable at the first Christmas. Words and music by Robin, for his grandson, Theo.
Look inside and downloadUnison voices and piano
A jaunty song for the pupils of All Saints' New Longton Primary School. Words by Paul Cookson.
Look inside and downloadSATB arrangement
Michael Hurd's Jonah-Man Jazz, arranged for SATB by Robin. Published by Sheet Music Direct.
Buy the scoreLooking for something not listed here? Ask Robin about his other pieces.
Robin Stopford was born in Preston in 1959. He studied at the Huddersfield School of Music, taking composition with Arthur Butterworth and Peter Clare, piano with Martin Roscoe and Peter Donohoe, and organ with Keith Jarvis and Graham Cummings.
He taught music in schools across the North West for many years and went on to become headteacher of a performing arts school. Since retiring from full-time teaching he's kept busy as a musical director for choirs, theatres and groups in the region, and as a recitalist and accompanist on piano and organ.
Most of what he writes is choral, sacred and secular, and much of it was written for choirs he knows and first sung in local churches. There's instrumental and orchestral music too.
A new anthem for a patronal festival, a carol for your choir's concert, a setting for a wedding or anniversary. Tell Robin who'll be singing and he'll write to suit their range and reading level.
Ask about a commissionPrivate piano, organ, composition and theory lessons in Preston. Beginners are welcome, and so are students working towards exams or a diploma.
Ask about lessonsAvailable as pianist or organist for concerts, services and exams, and as musical director for choirs and theatre productions in the North West.
Ask about accompanyingFor commissions, lessons, scores or anything about the music, send a message and Robin will reply by email.
Or email him directly at rcs5south@aol.com.
Based in Preston, Lancashire. Lessons in Preston, and accompanying and choir work across the North West.