Daniel Hughes

Review: This recording is a collection of folk songs and spirituals from America. The first three pieces are from Kirke Mechem's American Madrigals and are based on well known folk tunes. Other pieces include "I Can Tell the World," arranged by Moses Hogan, "How Can I Keep From Singing," arranged by Ronald Staheli and "America the Beautiful," arranged by Buryl Red. Led by Daniel Hughs, these songs and more are beautifully sung by the San Jose Choral Project.

Songlist: Kansas Boys, He's Gone Away, New York Girls, Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair, At the River ), Simple Gifts, I Can Tell the World, How Can I Keep from Singing, Let Us Break Bread Together, Polly-Wolly-Doodle, Amazing Grace, Shenandoah, Wade in de Water, Down in the Valley, Cindy, America, The Beautiful

Review: Though founded only in 1996 by Artistic Director Daniel Hughes, this ensemble of thirty voices has already begun to distinguish itself with an eclectic program. As part of their mission, the group seeks to unify diverse peoples, and the track list for "Of Christmastide" reflects this concern. Weighted somewhat towards the 20th century, with Williams, Tavener, Rutter, Holst and Lauridsen amongst the composers represented, the balance includes two Latvian carols, James McKelvey's arrangement of "Deck The Hall in 7/8" and the Nigerian "Betelehemu." Their sonority is broad and expansive, with an airy and open delivery. Some percussion and woodwinds on a few tracks.

Songlist: Hodie Christus natus est, Terly Terlow, Personent Hodie, Sweet Was the Song, Two Latvian Carols, THe Boar's Head Carol, Eso rigor e repente, Three Kings of Orient, Salvation Is Created, Carol From an Irish Cabin, A La Nanita Nana, Deck the Hall (in 7/8), O Magnum Mysterium, Wassil Song, Lo, How a Rose e're Blooming, Betelehemu, Silent Night

Review: Founded by Daniel Hughes in 1996, the 46-strong, mixed-voice Choral Project has gained an excellent reputation for performing high-level choral literature in concerts, interfaith services and choral festivals and invitationals in Northern California and across the country. This is the San Jose, CA-based ensemble's 5th CD, including the critically acclaimed "Water and Light," featuring the music of Eric Whitacre. 17 songs, beginning with Stephen Swartz' soaring "Keramos" and the Ward Swingle-arranged "De Puta y Taco," "One is the All" impressively progresses through a varied and eclectic songlist. Roberto Valera's joyous "Quisiera," the brooding, dissonant "War Song," the lovely "So we'll go no more a roving," Charles Stanford's soaring "The Bluebird," Harry Belafonte's dynamic "Turn the World Around," Joan Szymcko's "It Takes A Village," Jaako Mantyjarvi's spirited "El Hambo," and Joshua Shank's dramatic "Musica animam tangens" are favorites. The poise and vocal maturity of the ensemble, a beautifully arranged and selected songlist and strong direction by Hughes add up to another very special CD from the Choral Project!

Songlist: Keramos, De Punta y Taco, Dieu! Qu'il La Fait Bon Regarder!, Quisiera, War Song, So We'll Go No More A-roving, Come To Me My Love, The Bluebird, Fair & True, Turn The World Around, It Takes A Village, The Garten Mother's Lullaby, El Hambo, Famine Song, Let Evening Come, Musica Animam Tangens, Ubi Caritas

Review: Founded in 1996 by acclaimed Artistic Director and Conductor Daniel Hughes, the 43-strong, San Francisco Bay Area-based Choral Project has won numerous awards in California and internationally, released seven excellent albums and received rave reviews. Their vision is "To heal our world through music and words;" their mission "to connect one another through choral theater, education and musical excellence." "Tell the World" has 17 live cuts, some of them accompanied by keyboards, piano, bass, drums and percussion. Particularly fine are the a cappella Spiritual "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel," "Deep River," "My God is Good/Angels of the Earth" medley, the a cappella Spirituals "I Can Tell the World" and "On the Battlefield for My Lord" and "All My Trials;" "Witness," "Stand By Me," "Wade in de Water," "The Battle of Jericho" and "Worthy to Be Praised." "Tell the World" is everything we were hoping to hear, powerful, spirited, inspirational music from one of our favorite ensembles, The Choral Project!

Songlist: Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, Blow Ye The Trumpet, 23rd Psalm, Deep River, My God Is Good/Angels Of The Earth, I Can Tell The World, On The Battlefield For My Lord, All My Trials, My Soul's Been Anchored, Witness, Ain'-a That Good News, Stand By Me, We Let It Be, Wade In De Water, God Is All There Is, The Battle Of Jericho, Worthy To Be Praised

Review: Founded in 1996, the 40-strong, mixed-voice Choral Project, ably led by Artistic Director and Conductor Daniel Hughes, has performed throughout California in concerts, interfaith services and choral festivals, as well as nationally and internationally in Costa Rica and Mexico. Included here are seven selections by master composer Eric Whitacre, "Five Hebrew Love Songs," "Cloudburst," "I thank you God for most this amazing day," "She Weeps Over Rahoon," "Little Birds," "Water Night" and "Sleep." Then we have "Agnus Dei" by Edward Elgar/David Giardiniere, Tavener's "Hymn to the Mother of God," Ticheli's "There will be rest," "Ave Maria" by Giancarlo Aquilanti, Rene Clausen's "Tonight Eternity Alone" and Lauridsen's "O magnum mysterium." Some light accompaniment with strings, piano and percussion. Difficult, intricate harmonies, effortlessly performed by this talented ensemble.

Songlist: Five Hebrew Love Songs (with string quartet), Cloudburst (with piano and percussion), I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day, She Weeps Over Rahoon, Little Birds (with piano), Water Night, Sleep, Agnus Dei, Hymn to the Mother of God, There will be rest, Ave Maria, Tonight eternity alone, O Magnum Mysterium

Review: The 45-voice ensemble Choral Project under the direction of David Hughes is rapidly developing a solid reputation for choral excellence and this release of Christmas music and songs inspired by the season is a delight. The recording includes the first commercial release of Eric Whitacre's composition "Winter" which makes for fascinating listen along with works by Avro Part, Jester Hairston and David Maddux. A particular favorite is the Greg Smith arrangement of "The 12 Days of Christmas" which is sung with great panache by this top-notch choir.

Songlist: Gloria - Argento, A Child Is Born In Bethlehem, Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, Ave Maria, In Dulce Jubilo, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Winter, Bogoroditse Djevo, Lullabye My Jesus, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Jing-ga-lye-ya - Sled, Keresimesi Odun De O, Mary's Little Boy Child, Christmas Goes Classical, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas