Josephine Lee

Review: The multiracial and multicultural Chicago Children's Choir has been changing the lives of children through musical excellence since 1956, and this is a live CD from the World Choral Festivals Vienna 2001. There are 12 songs here, ranging from traditional spirituals arranged by Moses Hogan, "Great Day," "Battle of Jericho" and "My Soul's Been Anchored In The Lord," and South African folk songs "Njenge Bhadhi" and "Ke Nali Moona" to Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing" and Tobias Fox's "Shabach." All songs are accompanied, mostly by piano and drums. A great performance by an exceptional choir!

Songlist: Trosterin Musik, Salmo 150, Great Day, Battle of Jericho, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, Las Amarillas, Njenge Bhadi, Ke Nali Moona, One World, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), The Gods Love Nubia, Shabach

Review: "Open Up Your Heart" begins with a South African song of welcome, "Vela Vela," "Shosholoza" and "Iindonga Zajericho" were taught to the Choir while in South Africa in 1996. "Toyi Toyi and Ke Nale Monna" were brought back from South Africa by group member Mollie Stone and have become part of the Choir's core repertoire. "Prelude" and "Hanuman's Heart," composed by Jai Uttal as part of the musical "Sita Ram" he was commissioned to write for the CCC, is based on the timeless Indian epic, the Ramayana. "Tatkovina" (Macedonian) and Svadba (Bulgarian) and world folksongs. Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "I Need You to Survive" underline a fundamental element of the Choir's mission: not only do we need to love and respect each other, we are also responsible for what happens to every person in the world. Renowned Artistic Director Josephine Lee directs the award-winning 3 part (Chamber, Men's Chorus and Treble) CCC in this powerful, impressive collection. Some light drums and accompaniment, orchestral on "Hanuman's Heart" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." We really like this choir, and enjoyed every cut on "Open Up Your Heart!"

Songlist: Veia Veia, I Need You To Survive, Prelude, Hanuman's Heart, The Pasture, Tatkovina, Ke Nale Monna, Svadba, Iindonga Zajericho, Shocholoza, Bridge Over Troubled Water

Review: Exuberant singing comes from the Chicago Children's Choir on songs of the human spirit. This live recording features Faure's Requiem and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with piano accompaniment by Russell Stern. A cappella songs include a very spirited arrangement by Moses Hogan of The Battle of Jericho, Sizohamba, a South African Xhosa song and Svadba, a Bulgarian Wedding song featuring the treble voices. The tenors and basses are featured on the John Coates Jr. arrangement of He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother. The program closes with Gods Love Nubia from the musical "Aida."

Songlist: Requiem, Op. 48:, - Introit and Kyrie, - Offertory, - Sanctus, - Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei, - Libera Me, - In Paradisum, Chichester Psalms: Psalm 108 vs. 2 & Psalm 100, entire, The Battle of Jericho, Sizohamba, Svadba, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, Gods Love Nubia (from the musical "Aida")