The Heart of Texas Chorus

The Heart of Texas Chorus (H.O.T.) is the performing chorus of the Central Texas Corridor Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Established in 1994 the group has focused on constant improvement, competition and providing excellence in entertainment in every performance. The chorus calls San Marcos, Texas, home as it is a central location for members to meet -- many travel for more than an hour to weekly rehearsals. H.O.T. rehearses at Texas State University at San Marcos and has a wonderful relationship with the Music Department there, where the chorus proudly sponsors a scholarship for a vocal music student each year.

The Heart of Texas chorus has garnered honors in every competition it has entered. Only three years young, it won the District Chorus Championship for the Southwestern United States and the right to compete in the International Chorus Contest in 1998. Since then, the chorus has competed internationally three other times, most recently in Salt Lake City in the summer of 2005 where it placed 12th. The chorus performs extensively in the San Antonio/Austin corridor and has four recordings, the latest, "Inspiration...from the Heart," was released in the spring of 2005. To learn more about the Heart of Texas Chorus visit them on the web at www.hotchorus.org.

Discography

Great American Cowboy

Great American Cowboy Don't Fence Me In The River Bury Me Not on the Lone Praire William Tell Overture Texas (When I Die) Shenandoah Ride, Red, Ride I'm A Wild And Wooly Son of the West Cool Water If They String Me Up I'll Never Live It Down/ Back In The Saddle Again Medley Wahoo Home On The Range Texas Medley

Pride of San Marcos, TX, the 68-strong all-male Heart of Texas Chorus treats us to a fine collection of 14 Cowboy tunes. Some of our favorites are Cole Porter's classic "Don't Fence Me In," Barbershop quartet Sterling singing Garth Brooks' inspiring "The River," hot arranger Jay Giallombardo adds much-needed lyrics to Rossini's "William Tell Overture," Irving Mills and Luchy Millinder's "Ride, Red, Ride," The Sons of the Pioneers' "Cool Water," "If They String Me Up I'll Never Live It Down/Back in the Saddle Again Medley," the traditional folk tune "Home on the Range" and "Texas Medley." The title tune, sung by the Chorus with Sterling, is accompanied by BuffaloGrass and "Texas (When I Die)," sung by Barbershop quartet Four Brothers, has a little violin, and "Cool Water" some guitar—the rest is richly-harmonied a cappella. A big, fun, testosterone-soaked album from the Heart of Texas!

Listen to "Cool Water" in Real Audio

Inspiration From The Heart

There's A Meetin' Here Tonight Operator Gospel Medley All Rise Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus Battle Hymn of the Republic Let There Be Peace On Earth He's Got The Whole World in His Hands Swing Down Chariot When There's Love At Home Ain't A That Good News Sweet Hour of Prayer I Woke Up This Mornin' Feelin' Fine The Lord's Prayer God Bless The USA Auld Lang Syne Armed Forces Medley Mississippi Squirrel Revival

Cindy Hansen had been coaching men's and women's choruses and quartets since 1981 when she was a student at Western Michigan University. In 1983 she was asked to coach the West Towns Chorus, who went on to be International Champs. She now has a "who's who" list of gold medal-winning quartets and choruses on her resume. The changes she institutes range from sound and arrangements to creating "visual packages" for the group in performance, and the Heart of Texas Chorus has received many of her "enhansenments." The result is a spirit, a sound, a "juice" that is pure entertainment, but don't take our word for it—listen to the HOTC on these 20 songs: "There's a Meeting Here Tonight," "Operator," Saturday Evening Post's "Gospel Medley," an unbelievable arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a dynamic "All Rise," Hot Pursuit's arrangement of "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands," Vanguard's "When There's Love at Home," HOT Lite's "Ain't a That Good News"… we could go on and on, but we trust that excellence rises to the top in the Barbershop world, so just listen to "Inspiration from the Heart," and become a believer in Cindy Hansen and the men of the Heart of Texas Chorus. One more thing, don't miss bonus tracks "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby" and "I'll Be Seeing You!"

Joy To The World

Joy To the World Away In A Manger/O Little Town of Bethlehem O, Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) It Came Upon The Midnight Clear / Silent Night Medley God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Mary Had A Baby We Three Kings Angels from the Realms of Glory / While By My Sheep (Echo Carol) Jingle Bells Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The 45-strong all-male Heart of Texas Chorus has been directed by International Barbershop Harmony Society veteran Eddie Martinez to District Championships and IBHS international chorus competitions. They bring us 12 classic Christmas songs, performed with buttery harmonies and ringing held chords. Our favorites are the medleys, "Away In A Manger/O Little Town of Bethlehem," "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Silent Night," "Angels From The Realms of Glory/While By My Sheep (Echo Carol)," and "Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season Medley," but it's hard to choose. A strong, beautiful second CD for the Heart of Texas.

Listen to "Away In A Manger/O Little Town of Bethlehem" in Real Audio

The Beginning

Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella (arr. Ed Waesche) Swinging On A Star (arr. Scott Turnbull Are You Lonesome tonight (arr. Steve Jamison) Lulu's Back In Town (arr. Ed Waesche) Softly As I Leave You (arr. A. Nightingale) In That Great Getting' Up Mornin' (arr. Gentlemen's Agreement, et. al.) Smile (arr. Tom Gentry) Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive (arr. Warren "Buzz" Haeger) And So To Sleep Again (featuring Soundtrax arr. Warren "Buzz" Haeger) Oh, You Beautiful Doll (featuring Soundtrax arr. Jay Giallombardo) In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (featuring Soundtrax arr. Jack Ware) Orange Colored Sky (featuring Soundtrax arr. Vickie Bayless & Carl Carpenter) The Lords Prayer (arr. Joe Liles & Tom Gentry) I'm Gonna Live Till I Die (arr. F. Torotrelli)

"The Beginning" is the Heart of Texas Chorus' first recording after their founding in 1994 by 20 men who wanted to form a quality barbershop chorus in the "Central Texas Corridor" from Georgetown to San Antonio.  Their members ranged in age from 14 to 64, and they were lucky to have a director of the caliber of seasoned barbershop veteran Eddie Martinez, formerly of the Houston Tidelanders. The 31-strong group (at that time) started winning Barbershop Harmony regional competitions right away, and competing in the Ohio "Buckeye International" Contest. 14 songs, with guest performers Soundtrax, the top-ten Sweet Adelines quartet, who join the Chorus on "And So to Sleep Again," "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and "Orange Colored Sky." Other Barbershop standards show off the HOTC's smooth, dynamic sound: "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella," "Swinging on a Star," "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "In That Great Getting' Up Mornin'," "Smile," "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive" and "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die." Good early stuff from a powerful, dynamic chorus from Texas!

With A Song In My Heart

Smile, Darn Ya, Smile Fly Me To The Moon Sterling (guest quartet: Old St. Louie) Amor Always Renaissance (guest quartet: Goodbye , Dixie, Goodbye) Oh, You Beautiful Doll Hot Lite (chorus: Dream) Shepard's Flock (guest quartet: Glow Worm) Somewhere Over The Rainbow Floatin' Down To Cotton Town Southern Gentlemen (guest quartet: Sam, The Accordion Man) If I Had My Way Hot Lite (chorus: Orange Colored Sky) Bookendz (guest quartet: You Gotta Have Skin) You Make Me Feel So Young With A Song In My Heart

The HOTC has grown in many ways since its founding in 1994, Ron Black now at the helm as Music Director, growing to 59-strong and recently placing 12^th in the Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Competition in Salt Lake City. 17 classic tunes: "Smile, Darn Ya, Smile," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Always," "Goodbye, Dixie, Goodbye," "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "Dream," "Glow Worm," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Floatin' Down to Cotton Town," "If I Had My Way," "You Make Me Feel So Young," and "With A Song in My Heart." Sophisticated arrangements, smooth, ringing chords, feel-good selections—it adds up to great entertainment from a top-drawer men's chorus deep in the Heart of Texas!

Sing a Joyous Christmas

Do You Hear What I Hear? Ding Dong Merrily On High Hallelujah Chorus Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Some Children See Him Deck The Halls O Come, O Come Emmanuel Jingle Bell Rock Little Drummer Boy We Three Kings Winter Wonderland O Holy Night Mrs. Santa Claus Joy To The World

The Heart of Texas Chorus, from San Marcos, TX, is directed by Ron Black, who has huge Barbershop Harmony credentials as a singer, judge, vocal coach and director. "Sing A Joyous Christmas" features a well-chosen collection of 15 classic carols, classical pieces and pop Christmas songs. Also included is a wonderful Plainchant, "Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent." Other favorites are "Do You Hear What I Hear," Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," "Some Children See Him," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Little Drummer Boy," "Winter Wonderland," "O Holy Night," "Mrs. Santa Claus" (the first time we've heard this), and "Joy To The World." Powerful harmonies, richly-sung bass parts, soaring leads and fine arrangements make "Sing A Joyous Christmas" a winner that you can enjoy for years to come!

Listen to "Jingle Bell Rock" in Real Audio

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