A Cappella Singers

Review: Celebrating their 15th year of performing in South Florida, and their 'Be Still My Soul,' their 8th album, The mixed-voice (20 women, 16 men) Acappella Singers are all Christians, and drawn from a hundred-mile radius, but are not affiliated with any particular denomination. Concerts are performed in churches, special and corporate events, and the group are the 'resident singers' at Butterfly World, a local attraction. They sing both sacred and secular music, but always 'To God's Glory.' There are 14 spirited tunes here, a few with non-vocal percussion and piano. Favorites are 'Uyai Mose,' 'Give Me Jesus,' the rousing spiritual 'Ain't Got Time to Die,' the richly harmonic 'Rise Up O Men of God,' Felix Mendelssohn's 'Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord,' 'O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,' Andrew Lloyd Webber's soaring 'Pie Jesu,' the powerful hymn 'Be Still My Soul' and the traditional 'The Lord Bless You and Keep You.' The Singers are wonderfully led by Conductor Boender, their arrangements are excellent, and their sound is effortlessly clean, fresh and beautifully blended. This is a veteran choir with tremendous talent and spirit, and every song is perfect!

Songlist: Uyai Mose, Give Me Jesus, Jesus Loves Me, Ain't Got Time to Die, Lift Thine Eyes, Be Born in Me, Rise Up O Men of God, Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, I Am Thine O Lord, Pie Jesu, Praise His Holy Name, Be Still My Soul, The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Review: Conductor and founder of The Acappella Singers Ronald Boender's love of pure acappella singing is but one of his many interests. His interest in Tropical Biology led him to found Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, FL, where the Singers regularly perform. The 32-strong, semi-professional Singers, who are celebrating their 10th year together and their 8th excellent recording, bring us 9 traditional Christmas tunes, 7 of them arranged by Derric Johnson: 'Wassail Song,' 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,' 'Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy' which segues into 'We Three Kings' and 'Noel, Noel;' 'Infant Holy' (arranged by Paul Christiansen), 'Deck The Halls,' 'White Christmas,' 'Winter Wonderland,' 'Away In The Manger,' and 'Jingle Bells.' Nice solos by John Cotter on 'Winter Wonderland' and 'Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy,' and Beverly Atkinson on 'Away In The Manger.' A bright, joyous collection to brighten your holidays!

Songlist: Wassail Song, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy, Infant Holy, Deck The Halls, White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Away In A Manger, Jingle Bells

Review: All Christians, but not affiliated with any denomination, the Singers were founded in 1994 in South Florid a by Ronald Boender and grew from a dozen singers to their current 32 mixed voices. Their trademark 8-part arrangements and close, challenging harmonies are featured on 8 CDs of both sacred and secular music. 'God Bless America' includes 5 patriotic and folk songs, Woody Guthrie's 'This Land,' four arranged by Derric Johnson, 'Give Me Your Tired,' 'We The People' and 'God Bless The USA.' Also included are the spirituals 'Set Down Servant,' 'Witness,' 'All My Trials' with a lovely solo by Mary Jane Vanden Birge, and the deeply-felt 'Benediction' by Robert C. Clatterbuck. A beautiful, inspirational collection by South Florida's finest!

Songlist: This Land, Give Me Your Tired, Set Down Servant, We The People, God Bless The USA, All My Trials, Witness, God Bless America, Benediction

Review: A collection of songs reflecting tradition and history that proves to be timeless. Derric Johnson is a well known arranger of Americana and his genius is spotlighted 6 times on this collection including 'America the Beautiful', 'Shenandoah', 'The Star Spangled Banner', and 'Oh, Suzanna'. Giving a little room for others arrangers such as Robert Shaw's 'Set Down Servant' and Pat Ballard's 'Mr. Sandman' is necessary, as they are also quite enjoyable. Impressions are made with the simplicity of these recordings, yet coupled with the echoing sound of a Cathedral gives the feeling of wholeness and serenity. The voices of the Acappella Singers are smooth, crisp and clear with the talented direction of Ronald Boender.

Songlist: America The Beautiful, Shenandoah, Set Down Servant, Danny Boy, The Star Spangled Banner, My Song in the Night, Oh Suzanna, Mr. Sandman, Lord of The Dance, He Never Sleeps, Skip to My Lou, Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me?, Joshua, God Be With You

Review: Following the inspiration of acappella arrangers Derric Johnson and Norman Luboff, Ronald Boender formed this 24 voice, mixed ensemble dedicated to performing the best of folk, sacred, Americana, and Christmas acappella. Since 1994, the Acappella Singers have built a solid repertoire of the finest acappella choral literature (in 8 parts) remaining steadfast to the foundation of the purest form of singing. Choosing Christmas songs arranged by aforementioned Derric Johnson, as well as Alfred Burt and Jay Rouse to name a few. Accentuated with sounds of a cathedral echo you can only love 'Carol Of The Bells', 'Joy To The World', 'Caroling, Caroling', 'Rejoice and Sing', and 'Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence'.

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling, Be Born In Me, He Just Had To Come Down, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, Carol Of The Bells, This Christmastide, Rejoice And Sing, Silent Night, I Believe This Is Jesus, Joy To The World, My Song In The Night, Winter Wonderland, Thee With Tender Care, Peace, Peace

Review: Performing at various venues all over South Florida, the non-denominational Acappella Singers was founded by Ronald Boender in 1994, as a group of semi-professional singers under his direction. The goal of this unique 32 voice ensemble is to perform only the finest a cappella choral literature in all formats including sacred, folk, classical, patriotic, and Christmas favorites. Because the repertoire of the Singers is almost entirely written in 8 parts, and could be considered pop vocal or vocal jazz, the ensemble produces a distinctive sound that is exciting to hear, and rare in the choral field. 'My Father's World' features 10 beautifully arranged Christian spiritual sounds: 'We Will Glorify,' 'Have Thine Own Way,' 'He Never Sleeps,' 'Beautiful Savior,' 'Children of the Heavenly Father,' John Rutter's 'God Be In My Head,' the title tune (arranged by Paul Christiansen), 'I Love You Lord,' and Joyce Eilers' 'Go Ye Now In Peace.' Soaring harmonies, a couple of lovely solos by Elisa McCord on 'He Never Sleeps' and Maryanne Webel on 'Beautiful Savior,' a bright, clean sound and deeply-felt lyrics are features of this very special CD.

Songlist: We Will Glorify, Have Thine own Way, Adoration, He Never Sleeps, Beautiful Savior, Children of the Heavenly Father, God Be In My Head, This Is My Father's World, I Love You Lord, Go Ye Now In Peace