Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus

Joyful Noise is a unique and inspiring choral organization that administers the activities of the well-known children's choir, Chorus Angelicus (the Angelic Choir), and the adult vocal ensemble, Gaudeamus (Let Us Rejoice), along with two Training Choirs. Founded in 1991 by three-time Grammy Award-winning composer, Paul Halley, Joyful Noise transforms the lives of 90 children from more than 15 towns in Northwest Connecticut and the Berkshires. Choristers absorb a passionate commitment to excellence through singing; they learn self-respect, confidence, and the willingness to strive for results of the highest caliber in all aspects of their lives. Members of Chorus Angelicus, ages 8-15, travel twice weekly for hour-and-a-half long rehearsals to receive training in the art of singing, reading and understanding music and music theory. Training Choir students, ages 5-10, meet once a week for quality ear and vocal training, and many of these children go on to audition for Chorus Angelicus. Gaudeamus, the 40-member adult ensemble, performs in several concerts each year, creating a rare partnership of children and adults working together as equals to achieve artistic excellence.

In addition to a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and concerts, the children of Chorus Angelicus participate in workshops, weekend camps, tours, and fundraisers. Most children enter Chorus Angelicus with an ordinary background in singing. What eventually makes all of them extraordinary is their hard work, commitment and passion for music. The challenging repertoire of music they must master requires a thorough education in music theory and ear training while demanding their utmost in terms of diligence and self-discipline. They become accomplished musicians as they learn to blend their voices to create the unique sound that is Chorus Angelicus. In its annual season of approximately 25 concerts the chorus performs a large and varied repertoire, featuring the great choral masterworks from Gregorian chant to the modern mystics, as well as contemporary world music and some of Halley's own works. Performances have included collaborations with The Hartford Symphony and the Paul Winter Consort in venues such as Boston's Symphony Hall, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and The Music Shed in Norfolk, CT. Chorus Angelicus has toured from Key West, Florida, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Pacific Northwest and is frequently invited to perform at workshops, concert series, and music festivals. Chorus Angelicus was also privileged to perform at Governor Rowland's Inauguration in 1999. Director Paul Halley.

Discography

What Child Is This?

UWhat Child is This? Angelus ad Virginem Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head O Leave Your Sheep The Blessed Son of God I Saw Three Ships O Magnum Mysterium Agnus Dei The First Nowell Bogoroditse Devo Tis Winter Now Good King Wenceslas A Nativity The Holy Boy O Little Town of Bethlehem Lullaby My Jesus Beannact Leat Infinite Lighty Go Tell It On The Mountain Watts' Cradle Hymn

Paul Halley's renowned choirs Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus pair up for another spectacular offering. The choirs sing with precision and clarity while incorporating a warmth and immediacy to the performance of each song. What Child Is This? comprises a selection of the new, adventurous, and less familiar sacred Christmas repertoire, much of it performed in recent years in the choirs’ annual Christmas Angelicus concert series (now in its sixteenth season and broadcast annually by National Public Radio.) More than half the arrangements on the CD are Halley's work, which adds a refreshing, new sound to this mix of Christmas music. Halley’s arrangements and compositions, written for these choirs and previously unrecorded, deliver the adventurous harmonies and captivating lyricism for which he is celebrated.

Listen to "Agnus Dei" in Real Audio.

Wondrous Love

Love Songs for Springtime The Maypole The Bailiff's Daughter Soldier, Won't You Marry Me? The Despairing Lover The Lover's Arithmetic Gloria In Excelsis Deo Christe Qui Lux Es Et Dies Jesu, The Very THough of Thee Verbum Caro Factum Est What Stood Will Stand Wondrous Love

Paul Halley directs his acclaimed choirs in spirited performances his choral works of with organ and brass accompaniment, from the popular suite Love Songs for Springtime, and the magnificent setting of the Appalachian hymn Wondrous Love.

Untravelled Worlds

Untraveled Worlds Drop, Drop Slow Tears Who Can Sail? Gladsome Light Mbiri Kuna Mwari Ave Maria The Grey Selchie Pie Jesu The Cherubic Hymn Improperium The Song of Wandering Aengus Niska Banja Nepusk, vejeli God Be Merciful Unto Us Misa Pequena Suite Away from the Roll of the Sea

The well-known children's choir Chorus Angelicus (the Angelic Choir), founded in 1991 by three-time Grammy Award-winning composer, Paul Halley, is administered by the unique and inspiring choral organization, Torrington, CT's Joyful Noise. They transform the lives of 90 children from more than 15 towns in Northwest Connecticut and the Berkshires. The 45 mixed-voice Chorus members, ages 8-15, travel twice weekly to receive training in the art of singing, reading and understanding music and music theory, and adhere to a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and concerts. "Untraveled Worlds" is a musical world tour, beginning with the US and a Halley original, the title tune, and later we hear another Halley original, "God Be Merciful Unto Us." England's "Drop, Drop Slow Tears," Finland's "Who Can Sail," Russia's "Gladsome Light," South Africa's "Mbiri Kuna Mwari" and Scotland's "The Grey Selchie" are particularly nice, as is Serbia's lilting "Niska Banja." Ireland's "The Song of Wandering Aengus," Lithuania's "Nepusk, vejeli" and Canada's heart-tugging folk tune "Away From the Roll of the Sea" round out the collection of 20 songs. Through hard work and dedication these young singers learn to blend their voices to create the unique sound that is Chorus Angelicus, one of the best children's choruses in the world! Some light accompaniment.

6759 CD $15.98

Chrisrtmas Angelicus

Once In Royal David's City Torches Jesus Christ The Apple Tree Joys Seven Huron Carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem The First Nowell Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day Nativity Carol The Twelve Days Of Christtmas Lo, How A Rose E'Er Blooming Personent Hodie There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue O Come, All Ye Faithful I Sing Of A Maiden Sussex Carol In The Bleak Mid-Winter Sir Christmas Hark The Herald Angels Sing

This CD is a lovely assortment of familiar Christmas carols. The opening carol, "Once in Royal David's City" with soloist Maribeth Diggle is especially nice as voices are gradually added until the full choir is singing. Most pieces are a cappella with a few accompanied by organ. Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus are both directed by Paul Halley. The combination of the children's and adult choirs creates a beautiful sound. This is a delightful treat for Christmas.

7238 CD $15.98

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