Roberta Q. Jackson

Review: Now entering its third decade, ably led by Co-Conductors Roberta Q. Jackson and Debra R. Burgess, the award-winning PSG is taking its place among the finest children's choral ensembles in the country. Over 1,000 young women ages 5 to 18, who love to sing, have come together through the years to create the distinct voice of the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir, and the 100+-strong ensemble joins the 33-strong, "20th Anniversary Alums & Mums Choir" for 17 piano-accompanied, selected live cuts, recorded from 2008 to 2010. Favorites are a pair by Duke Ellington," "It Don't Mean A Thing" and "Mood Indigo," Charles Collins' "Mary Had A Little Blues," Bill Perison's "Naughty Four O'Clocks," "Gershwin for Girls," Moses Hogan's "Ride On, King Jesus," Charles Collins' "The Star," Stephen Hatfield's "Living In a Holy City," "Deep Peace, a Gaelic Blessing" and David Brunner's "A Song to End All Wars." We love the sweet, spirited sound of the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir, one of the best in the world!

Songlist: Give Us Hope, Music Is Indeed, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Mood Indigo, Mary Had A Little Blues, Naughty Four O'Clocks, Gershwin For Girls, Birth Of The Blues, Bye Bye Blackbird, Living In A Holy City, Ride On, King Jesus, My Lord, What a Mornin', The Storm Is Passing Over, Deep Peace, A Gaelic Blessing, The Star, She Shall Have Music, A Song To End All Wars

Review: Roberta Q. Jackson directs the over 100 strong PSG, accompanied by the Portland Youth Philharmonic. This is a Christmas CD, and there are 21 songs in celebration of Christmas, from sacred (Galuppi's "Dixit Dominus (Psalm 110) Movements, I, II, II") to pop (Elliot's "Jingle Bell Swing"). There are actually 2 choirs here, the Premier Choir of over 100 voices, and the Debut Choir of about 90, and when they sing together on something like "Silver Bells," it's pretty impressive. An excellent Christmas CD, for yourself to enjoy every Christmas, or to give to a loved one.

Songlist: Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Cantique de Jean Racine, Dixit Dominus, Children Blessed of the Lord, This Little Babe, Chose Something Like a Star, Ding Dong Merrily on High, el Desembre Congelat, Il Est Ne, Angels We Have Heard on High, Hope for Resolution, Donkey Carol, Hine Ma Tov, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bell Swing, I'll Be HOme For Christmas, Heavenly Aeroplane, Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song, Silver Bells, O Holy Night