Emily Ellsworth

Review: Formerly the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus, 100-strong mixed-voice children's chorus Anima, Young Singers of Greater Chicago traveled to South Africa in July of 2007. Most of the performances here are recorded from their final concert, shared with the Pro Cantu Youth Choir, directed by Leon Starker, in the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, Cape Town. There are 12 tracks here, favorites are the traditional Xhosa songs "Ithemba Iami" and "Bawo Thixo Somandla;" traditional Zulu songs "Nginesi ponono," "Senzenina" and "Unonkala;" traditional American "Shenandoah," Elizabeth Alexander's joyous "Faith is the Bird that Feels the Light," traditional South African "African Celebration," Paul Halley's "Untraveled Worlds" and George Jackson & Tom Jones III's rollicking "Old Time Rock 'n Roll." A rhythmic, high-energy remembrance of Anima's amazing musical journey!

Songlist: Ithemba Iami, Nginesi ponono, Shenandoah, Faith is the Bird that Feels the Light, African Celebration, If Music be the Food of Love, Walk in Jerusalem, Unonkala, Bawo Thixo Somandla, Untraveled Worlds, Old Time Rock 'N Roll

Review: Composer Imant Raminsh's lyrical melodies and lush harmonic textures combined with the skilled, expressive singing of the GECC create a powerful musical partnership in this unique choral opera based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale of the same name.

Songlist: The Nightingale

Review: The 60-strong GECC, under the able direction of nationally recognized musician and educator Emily Ellsworth. Accompanied on piano by William Bubs, "Abbondanza" is a spirited, joyous collection from the first tune, "How Can I Keep From Singing," a heartbreakingly beautiful a cappella "Amazing Grace" and Leonard Bernstein's "Simple Song" to Hatfield's exuberant "Las Amarillas," Favero's "Te Quiero," "I Love a Piano" and "Ae Fond Kiss." Interspersed are sacred songs like Haydn's "Laudate pueri Dominum," Puccini's lovely "O mio babbino caro" and Donizetti's "Che interminable andirivieni," the wonderful Servant's Chorus from Don Pasquale. An aptly titled CD by one of the best children's choruses we've heard.

Songlist: How Can I Keep from Singing?, Amazing Grace, Zion's Walls, Simple Song, Sanctus, Laudate pueri Dominum, Las Amarillas, Te Quiero, Yo Le Canto, O mio babbino caro, Che interminable andirivieni, Abbondanza!, Where the Music Comes From, Go Where I Send Thee, She Shall Have Music, I Love a Piano, Ae Fond Kiss

Review: Founded in Chicago in 1964 by Barbara Born and led to international recognition by Music Director Dr. Doreen Rao, "At Home" celebrates the 51-member `GECC's 40th Anniversary. This is a "best of" collection of 20 songs, 14 live performances from 1999 to 2004 under the direction of Emily Ellsworth, and six classic recordings from 1984 under the direction of Dr. Rao. Some of our favorites were commissioned by the GECC: Stephen Paulus' "Sing Creations Music On," Lee Kesselman's lovely "Briar Rose," Astor Piazzolla's "Libertango," Waylon Rogers' "The Truly Great," and "Angels are Everywhere," "The Angel on the Cloud," by Daniel Pinkham. Others are Nick Page's "Fairest Lady," Bach's "Herr, du siehst statt gutter Werke," the spiritual "My Lord, What A Morning" and John Denver's "All This Joy." There is piano accompaniment throughout. Singing with poise and confidence beyond their years, the GECC and "At Home" are American classics!

Songlist: Sing Creations Music On, My Heart's Friend, Festive Alleluia, Islands, Riawanna, Briar Rose, Fairest lady, Herr, du siehst statt guter Werke, We are the Stars That Sing, Vem kan segla, Angels are Everywhere, The Angel on the Cloud, A-Tisket, A-Tasket, My Lord, What a Mornin', Libertango, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, Dome Epais, Opening Chorus from The Bartered Bride, The Truly Great, All This Joy

Review: Colorful Christmas selections of all styles by the multiple award-winning, Chicago area-based mixed-voice GECC, directed since 1996 by Emily Ellsworth, with Guest Artist Stephen Hartman on harp. 21 songs, featuring Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," traditional favorites, popular selections such as "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and a poignant new arrangement of "Auld Lang Syne." We love the sound of a fine children's chorus at Christmas, especially one as beautifully trained and directed as this one. John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" and "Personent Hodie," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and a lilting cover of Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child." Some accompaniment, from light harp to orchestral, on all songs. An excellent CD, sure to fill you with Christmas spirit!

Songlist: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Ding Dong Merrily on High, One Fine Hour, A Ceremony of Carols:, Procession, Wolcum Yole!, There is no Rose, That yonge child, Balulalaw, As dew in Aprille, This little Babe, Interlude, Spring Carol, Deo Gracias, -Recession, Personent Hodie, The Most Wonderful Time of Year, Shiru (Sing!), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Mary's LIttle Boy Child, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Auld Lang Syne

Review: Nationally renowned musician and educator Emily Ellsworth directs the 51-strong Chicago-based GECC through 16 songs in their distinctive warm and spirited style. Several Australian and New Zealand folk songs grace this CD, "Tutira Mai Nga Iwi," "Cabbage Tree Hat," and "Waltzing Mathilda." Two of our favorites are the exuberant African-flavored tunes "Kungala" and "Akakomborerwa," with its powerful rhythmic drumming. Also among our favorites are Aaron Copland's "The Promise of Living" and "At the River," arranged by Copland, and "I'm Goin' Up a Yonder" by Walter Hawkins. Most songs are piano or drum accompanied, all are beautiful and touching.

Songlist: Kungala, Black Swana, In the Beginning, Akakomborerwa, Aglepta, Dirait-On, Tutira Mai Nga Iqi, Cabbage-Tree Hat, Waltzing Mathilda, Rattlesnake Skipping Song, How Do I Love Thee?, Libertango, I'm Goin' Up a Yonder, O Sifuni Mungu, At the River, The Promise of Living