Julia J. White

Review: The Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir is based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Founded by Eastern Mennonite University's Julia J. White in 1991, the choir has grown from 37 to over 200 members in grades K-12, coming from throughout the Shenandoah Valley, in four early elementary classes and three performing choirs. The once a week rehearsals include instruction in vocal production and diction, Kodaly-based solfege instruction and exposure to excellent choral literature. These 18 lightly-accompanied (by piano and organ) songs include five by the Concert Choir 2005-2006, 5 by the Preparatory and Treble Choirs, and 8 by the Concert Choir 2006-2007. Some favorites are J.S. Bach's "Duet from Cantata No. 15," the 16th Century German choral melody "To Music," Jeanne and Robert Gilmore's joyous "Ton The," the lilting American Folk Song "Here Rattler, Here!," Henry Purcell's lovely "Sound the Trumpet," John Rutter's inspiring title tune, and E. Markham Lee's heartwarming "Arcady." The SVCC has a bright, sweet, clear sound, perfect diction, and the song selection works with the joy and spirit of the singers. Treat yourself to "All Things" and enjoy! 

Songlist: Duet from Cantata No. 15, Kyrie eleison from Messe Basse, I'm Nobody! Who Are You? from Two Nobody Songs, Mr. Nobody from Two Nobody Songs, To Music, Ton The, Badgers and Hedgehogs (Benedicte No. 4) from Bless the Lord, Butterflies and Moths (Benedicte No. 7) from Bless the Lord, Ever Loving Shepherd, Here Rattler, Here!, Sound the Trumpet, Bist du bei mir, Lake Isle of Innesfree, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Sahayta, Aready, Prayer, A-Tisket A-Tasket

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