Julia J. White

Review: Founder and Artistic Director Julia J. White leads her 200-strong, 3-choir SVCC, pride of Harrisonburg, PA, in this feel-good, generous Holiday album. The 19 well-chosen tunes are lightly accompanied by guest instrumentalists, playing flute, piano, organ, percussion and bass. Seven songs are by the Concert Choir of 2007-08, four songs by the Preparatory and Treble Choirs, and eight songs are by the Concert Choir of 2008-09. Our favorites are Eleanor Daly's "What Sweeter Music," the West Indian Spiritual "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy," Baruch J. Cohon's "Hanerot Halalu" (Song for Hanukah), Bob Chilcott's "The Child," Rogers & Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things," Domenico Scarlatti's "We Will Sing for Joy," Purcell's "Celebrate this Happy, Holy Day," the traditional song "Jingle Bell Swing," John Rutter's "Carol of the Children," the South African Christmas anthem "Come Colors Rise," the traditional "Sunny Bank" and the final cut, the title tune. The spirited, angelic young voices of the SVCC in harmony and the lovely selection of Christmas songs from all over the world-it's a combination that will make a great holiday gift for you and your loved ones!

Songlist: Hope for Resolution, A Song for Mandela and de Klerk, What Sweeter Music, The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, Hanerot Halalu, The Child, My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music, We Will Sing for Joy, Celebrate This Happy, Holy Day, Christmas Comin', Jingle Bell Swing, Cuncti Simus, On This Day, Earth Shall Ring, Carol of the Children, Come Colours Rise, Sunny Bank, Here We Come A-Wassailing, Go Where I Send Thee!, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Review: "Shenandoah" is the SVCC's ninth recording since its founding by Artistic Director Julia J. White, and it represents highlights of the 220-strong, 3-choir ensemble from its 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Included are 8 lightly-accompanied selections from the Concert Choir of 2003-04, 5 selections from the Preparatory and Treble Choirs, and 8 songs from the Concert Choir of 2004-5, for a total of 21 songs. Some of our favorites are J.S. Bach's "Wir eilen, mit schwachen doch," the beautiful Swahili Lullabye/Prayer "Allunde, Alluia," Charles E. Ives' "The Circus Band," the traditional spiritual "Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet," the Chinese Folk song "Chinese Fisherman's Song," the Calypso song "Shake the Papaya Down," the sea chantey title tune, the traditional Hawaiian song "'Ullili E" and James Papoulis' lovely "Can You Hear." Wonderful harmonies, a bright, clear, spirited sound and a well-chosen songlist all add up to another enjoyable, feel-good album from a great childrens' choir, the SVCC!

Songlist: Wir Eilen Mit Schwachen Doch Emsigen Schritten, The Wind, Dance To Your Daddie, Inscription Of Hope, Allunde Alluia, The Song That Nature Sings, The Circus BAnd, Glory To Thee My God This Night, Give Ear Unto Thee, Shenandoah, Little Wheel, My Hearts In The Highlands, Ulili E, A Psalm Of Life, Can Your Hear, Praise To The Lord, the Almighty

Review: Another wonderful collection from 200-strong, 3-choir SVCC, pride of Harrisonburg, PA, directed by founder Julia J. White. Some very hard to pick favorites among these 19 feel-good, lightly accompanied songs are: George and Ira Gershwin's "Clap Yo' Hands," the early American melody "Amazing Grace," Dave Mallet's lovely round "The Garden Song," Stephen Foster's "The Merry Heart," the German folk song "Marienwurmchen" (Ladybug), Vijay Singh's lively "Song for a Pirate Child," the Traditional Torres Straight Island song "Sesere Eeye" and David L. Brunner's beautiful "Jubilate Deo." The SVCC's bright, clear, spirited sound is as fine as any children's choir in the world, and every song is delightful!

Songlist: Clap Yo' Hands, Amazing Grace, The Garden Song, Tai Yang Chu Lai La, Give Ear Unto Me, The Merry Heart, Tsuki/ Firefly, Marienwurmchen (Ladybug), Allunde, Alluia, Linstead Market, Song for a Pirate Child, Jerusalem, The Turtle Dove, Old Dan Tucker, Under the Greenwood Tree, Song for the Mira, Sesere Eeye, Praise His Holy Name, Jubilate Deo