The choral piece Birthday was composed in 2014 for Auckland-based a cappella group “Laudamus”. The flowing rhythms in Christina Georgina Rossetti’s poem naturally lend themselves to a melodic setting. The soprano and tenor part each take turns singing the melody in verses 1 and 2 respectively, whilst the other parts provide a lively and jazzy accompaniment. A key change at the start of verse 3, coupled with canonic entries in the upper parts, takes the energy levels of the piece to new heights, culminating in a very jazzy final cadence.