Will Todd, born in 1970, is forging a strong reputation for himself as a composer who is equally at ease in opera, oratorio, church music and jazz. His style is instantly accessible and lastingly memorable. He spent his formative years steeped in both jazz and the English choral tradition so in his choral music he is able to juxtapose strong rhythmic drive and rich harmonies with exquisitely lyrical vocal lines. 'The Rose' is the central movement and spiritual heart of a longer work entitled 'A Pageant for Christémas', written in 1998 for choir and piano. Setting beautiful words by W R Rodgers, this piece finds the composer in his most expressive vein.