Lori Loftus

Review: The Concert Chorus of the Southern California Children's Chorus gives a very joyous performance. Simple Gifts contains mostly sacred pieces for treble voices. The chorus sings early pieces by Praetorius and Banchieri as well as 20th century pieces by Zoltan Kodaly. The title piece by Aaron Copland is arranged by director Lori Loftus. Many pieces are a cappella and the others are accompanied by David Lomakin. The pieces chosen have many solos featuring some of the group's talented singers.

Songlist: Jubilate Deo (Adriano Banchieri), Sing dem Herrn (Michael Praetorius), Musika, dein ganz ganz leiblich Kunst (Johann Jeep), Art Thou Troubled? (George Frederic Handel), A Pentatonic Alleluia (Ross Whitney), Psalm 150 (Zoltan Kodaly), Salmo (Ernami Aguiar), Kyrie (James McCray), Psalm 100 (Rene Clausen), Nigra Sum (Pablo Casals), Simple Gifts (Aaron Copland, arr: Lori Loftus), Bay Dooka (Nancy Telfer), S'Vivon (Traditional Hevrew Song, arr: Betty Bertaux), Al Shlosha D'Varim (Allen E. Naplan, arr: David Fischer), Niska Banja (Nick Page), One Hand, One Heart (Leonard Berstein, arr: David Fischer), America, The Beautiful, I'm Goin' Up a Yonder (Walter Hawkins, arr: Martin Sirvatka), I Am Your Child (Marty Panzer & Barry Manilow), Go Where I Send Thee! (A Gospel Spiritual, arr: Paul Caldwell & Sean Ivory), May the Road Rise Up to Meet You

Review: The SCCC, founded by artistic director Lori Loftus, involves 200 choristers in a sequential choral program consisting of 6 choirs. The 65 mixed-voice Concert Chorus, under Lori's leadership, is rapidly becoming the leading children's chorus in Southern California. 21 songs, the first 11, all arranged by Lori, are religious and sacred music, with the exception of the traditional title tune, arranged by Aaron Copeland. Banchieri's "Jubilate Deo," Praetorius' "Sing dem Herrn," Handel's "Art Thou Troubled," Zoltan Kodaly's "Psalm 150," James McCray's "Kyrie," and Rene Clausen's joyous "Psalm 100" are favorites in this group. The traditional Hebrew song "S'Vivon," the upbeat folk tune "Niska Banja," Leonard Bernstein's "One Hand, One Heart," Walter Hawkins' "I'm Goin' Up a Yonder," the spiritual "Go Where I Send Thee!," and the traditional "May the Road Rise Up to Meet You" are other favorites. Piano accompaniment on some songs. Excellent song selection and the spirited harmonies of talented youthful choristers-"Simple" is truly a gift!

Songlist: The Joy of Bells: Din Don! Merrily on High, All Ye Who Music Love, Petite Mass: Gloria, Carol of the Bells, Cum Sancto Spiritu, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hiney Mah Tov, Dravidian Dithyramb, My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs, Patapan, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Must Be Santa, Kindle the Hanukkah Lights, Parents, White Christmas