Canadian-born UK-based organist, conductor, pianist, and composer Sarah MacDonald is Fellow and Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge, President of the Royal College of Organists, Organist to the University of Cambridge, and Director of Ely Cathedral’s Girl Choristers. She tours extensively as a conductor and organist, and is in demand internationally as a director of choral and organ courses. She has made over 35 commercial recordings, and her liturgical works (over 50 published titles) are performed regularly throughout the world.
Sarah is a Patron of the Society of Women Organists, President of the School Organists’ Association, and an Honorary Patron of the Herbert Howells Society.
Since 2009, her life as an author has included a popular monthly column for The American Organist. Select essays from that series comprise her book Cathedrals Chapels Organs Choirs published by August Press to widespread critical acclaim in both the UK and United States.
Critically acclaimed in both North America and the UK, Cathedrals Chapels Organs Choirs informs and delights readers with Sarah’s insightful essays about life at the heart of the rich Anglican music tradition. As a Canadian ‘outsider', working daily at both Selwyn College, Cambridge and Ely Cathedral, she guides the reader through a world that is both deeply loved and often misunderstood. This delightful book features a foreword by Sir John Rutter, guest essays from eminent colleagues including Sir Stephen Cleobury, and Sarah’s moving epilogue Psallum spiritu et mente—valuable reading for anyone who loves music or a musician.
428 pages, with appendix and and detailed index.
August Press is honored to publish these works by Sarah MacDonald:
Take delight in the Lord Psalm 37:-5 Jeremiah 29:11, adapted
Sarah MacDonald created this piece for the wedding of two close friends, drawing upon two joyful OT texts (Psalm 37: 4-5 and Jeremiah 29:11) to create a delightful a cappella anthem for eight voices—reminiscent of the motet forms employed by Brahms and Mendelssohn. It is very approachable by college and advanced high school and church choirs.
Text sample: Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. The plans He has in mind for you are plans for peace…
Folk and Traditional Settings
Flow Gently, Sweet Afton Text by Robert Burns, Melody by Jonathan Spilman
(SATB a cappella)
One of the most popular songs of the 19th Century United States, the famed Burns poem set by Kentucky cleric and attorney Jonathan Spilman.
Sarah MacDonald’s command of both vocal writing and contrapuntal technique shine throughout this touching setting of a beloved song.
As I Went Down in the River to Pray Traditional Spiritual
(SATB a cappella)
First appearing in print in William Francis Allen’s 1867 publication Slave Songs of the United States, entitled ‘The Good Old Way’, this particular spiritual has emerged as one of best-known of the genre. It has been conjectured that this spiritual, also known as ‘The Good Old Way’, may have been employed in the assistance of slaves fleeing bondage.
Sarah’s skillful fresh approach to this iconic spiritual demonstrates her mastery of the the choral craft and her deep respect for tradition.
August Press 19040801, scheduled for release early 2025
Star Of The County Down Traditional Irish
(Two-part trebles, accompanied)
Sarah’s cheerful setting of the famous Irish ballad about love and courtship, created for the wedding of two friends. It features a recurring refrain and an inner stanza set in canon—great fun for young choirs to sing and learn the joys of Irish folk song, canonical writing, all in a most approachable arrangement.
August Press 19040601, scheduled for release early 2025
Ship Ahoy (Everybody Loves A Sailor) J Mills/Bennett Scott
(SATB a cappella)
Sarah was commisioned to create this charming arrangement of a classic English music-hall ditty for Hugh Laurie’s film production of Agatha Christie’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? Sarah’s sense of whimsy shines through this piece, perfect as an encore for school and community choirs.
Sacred Choral Compositions
To Minister Text by Emily Dickinson and Sarah MacDonald
Four part trebles a cappella
This small gem in the anthem literature was created in celebration of the admission of women to the Anglican priesthood. Employing both canonical and homophonic writing, Dickinson’s poignant text is beautifully framed.