First published in 1961, the Carols for Choirs series has for many singers become synonymous with the Christmas season, used in festive concerts and services across the world. While many things have changed since that first edition, one thing has remained constant: the illustrated angel on the cover. We did some investigating in the archives recently to uncover the history of the Carols for Choirs angel, looking at how it came about and how it has evolved over the past 60 years.
1985: Rebranding (and shrinking angels)
In 1984, the music department commissioned a series of new editions of major choral works to give them a distinctive cover, recognizable when hundreds of singers were holding them onstage, with the three crowns large across the centre of the cover.
The branding was applied to all choral anthologies on reprint, appearing on Carols for Choirs 1-4 in 1985. This was the same year the format was also increased from the original 219x149 mm to the larger 254x178 mm (or 10 by 7 in). The original angel was retained, albeit a lot smaller , duplicated and mirrored at the foot.
This was a marked departure from previous designs where the angel illustration had always been centre stage, and may have reflected a desire to strengthen the Oxford music brand, featuring the logo of the three crests as the most prominent design feature.
You left ‘u’ out of ‘buy’. Above, and to the left.