Francisco J. Nunez

Review: CoolSide of Yuletide brings an exciting new sound and youthful energy to classic holiday carols. These urban arrangements were developed by noted composer, Jim Papoulis and Francisco J. Nunez, Artistic Director of the award-winning Young People's Chorus of New York City. Thanks to modern digital technology, "How Many Christmases" unites Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash and the Young People's Chorus of New York City with a global mix of choirs from across the 50 United States as well as Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. The result is the first ever "virtual" global choir raising their voices in harmony.

Songlist: Deck the Hall, Joy to the World, Where Are My Angels?, Song For Peace, Oh Christmas Tree, Angel Medley, How Many Christmases?, We Three Kings, Let it Snow, Little Drummer Boy, Abreme la Puerta, Home, Give Us Hope, Silent Night

Review: New York City's YPC, under the acclaimed direction of Francisco J. Nunez, now involving over 1,300 boys and girls ages 7 to 18 in its after school programs, has been generating a lot of buzz in the children's chorus world. They have done this by commissioning new works for children's chorus, performing and winning gold medals internationally and recording acclaimed albums like "Dreamer," which features the Concert Chorus and Young Men's Chorus. Let us also not forget their full-color liner notes filled with beautiful pix of the kids in concert! There are 12 well-arranged, spirited, mostly accompanied tunes here, our favorites are the traditional Ghana song "Tue Tue," Faraualla's "Riki Tiki Tavi," the traditional Zulu song "Tshotsholoza," the powerful, percussion-accompanied Brazilian song "Tres Cantos Nativos dos Indios Krao," Stephen Foster's Folk classic "Beautiful Dreamer," Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl/Boy from New York City" medley, Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Jim Papoulis and Director Nunez' "We Will Lift You Up" and John Lennon's "Imagine." We rarely hear children's choruses perform and record with such poise, power and chutzpa, but YPC has it. Buy and enjoy "Dreamer," and remember to remind yourself that these are kids! 

Songlist: Tue Tue, Riki Tiki Tavi, Tschotsholoza, Tres Cantos Nativos dos Indios Krao, Natsu no omoide, Beautiful Dreamer, Tegami, Yell, Uptown Girl/ Boy from New York City, Bridge Over Troubled Water, We Will Lift You Up, Imagine

Review: The works on this CD were created to celebrate the profoundly transcendent nature of young singing voices. This CD displays the chorus' commitment to young voices singing glorious music during that short, transient period of childhood.

Songlist: Song of Ezekiel, Maggie and Milly and Molly and May, Who Are You, Little 1, The Attic Which Is Desire, Un-labelled, Glory to God For This Transient Life, Colors 41402, Smiling Eyes, La Damoiselle Elue

Review: This is the Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC) and its Artistic Director and Conductor Francisco J. Nunez's second recording of new works commissioned and premiered as part of their Transient Glory concert series. Entitled Transient Glory II, this recording on the Vital Records label comprises 11 compositions that were commissioned by or for the Young People's Chorus of New York City from Dominick Argento (Orpheus), Geoffrey Burgon (Shirtless Stephen-and the Children's Crusade), David Del Tredici (Four Heartfelt Anthems), Kevin James (NYC Play Ground), ), Benjamin Lees (The Nervous Family), Tod Machover (I Dreamt a Dream), Michael Nyman (A Child View of Colour), Jim Papoulis (Panta Rhei), Bright Sheng (The Boatmen's Song), Nils Vigeland (Miracles), and Judith Weir (Little Tree). Most of these composers had never before written for a children's chorus.

Songlist: Little Tree, I Carry Your Heart With Me, Now Is a Ship, I Dreamt a Dream, Shirtless Stephen (And the Children's Crusade), Miracles, The Boatmen's Song, The Nervous Family, Panta Rhei, NYC Playground (Wondering), NYC Playground (Gun Shots), NYC Playground (My Weird Life), NYC Playground (I Am...), A Child's View of Colour, Orpheus, Sabbath's Child (Proclamation), The Little Land (Barcarolle), Alphabet (Fuga), Highland's Farewell (Aria)

Review: Founded by Artistic Director/Founder Francisco J. Nunez in 1988, the YPC has become among today's most celebrated and influential children's choruses, with performances and gold-medal winning competitions worldwide and acclaimed recordings from across the musical spectrum. Through its Transient Glory commissioning series of concerts, publications and CDs, YPC has expanded the repertoire for children's choruses with dozens of new works from composers that include Pulitzer Prize, Oscar and MacArthur "genius" grant winners. More than 1,200 boys and girls from ages 7 to 18 participate in YPC's core after school program in five divisions. "When I Sing," a spirited album variously accompanied by piano, bass, percussion, guitar, cello, flute, Latin percussion and viola, has 12 tunes, mostly by the Cantare Chorus, conducted by Elizabeth Nunez, with "El Cielo Cant Alegria" performed by the Prelude Chorus, "Shiru" by the Intermezzo Chorus, "Klee Wyck" performed by the Prelude Chorus, and "Stand Tall Children (The Activists)" performed by special guests Trenton Children's Chorus. Other favorites are the traditional Torres Strait Islands song "Sesere Eeye," Johann Strauss' "An der schonen blauen Donau," the Gospel Spiritual "Go Where I Send Thee," the title tune by Bill Henderson, Imant Raminsh's "Song of the Stars," "Criome Mi Madre" from 'Four Spanish Lullabyes' by Director Nunez, Jim Papoulis' "Stand Together" and George Weiss and Bob Thiele's "What a Wonderful World." Don't forget to check out the great color photos of the groups in action, in the liner notes. Dynamic arrangements, tremendous spirit, beautiful voices - "When I Sing" is a big winner on many levels!

Songlist: Sesere Eeye, El Cielo Canta Alegria, An der schonen blauen Donau, Shiru, Go Where I Send Thee, When I Sing, Klee Wyck, Song of the Stars, Criome Mi Madre from "Four Spanish Lullabies", Stand Tall Children (The Activists), Stand Together, What a Wonderful World

Review: Launched in the year 2000, Transient Glory began as a concert performance series of the Young People's Chorus of New York City conducted by Francisco J. Nunez to advance the art of children's choirs throughout the world. The Transient Glory choral series is designed and developed by its editor as a commitment to young voices singing glorious music during that short, transient period of childhood.

Songlist: Colors, Orpheus, The Nervous Family, Un-Labelled, The Smiling Eyes

Review: Arranged by Jim Papoulis and Francisco J. Nunez for the Young People's Chorus of New York City, these fresh and original sounds will surely appeal to anyone who loves the sights, sounds and colors of the holiday time of year. There is stirring a cappella treatment of the Christmas favorite "Silent Night" . The a cappella treatment of "Deck the Halls" is playful and full of energy with :" How Many Christmasses" a musical wish for peace on earth that will have contemporary relevance and will resonate with today's youth. Serving as an appeal to strike down the differences that create division among us, the song offers an inspirational message for any holiday concert. "Angel Medley" is an arrangement of three well-known carols "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "The First Noel" uses contemporary musical styles, altered harmonies and word play to expand the palette of the carol experience.

Songlist: Silent Night, Deck the Halls, How Many Christmasses, Angel Medley, Oh Christmas Tree