Male Christmas Choral Recordings

Choir of King's College, Cambridge : On Christmas Day - New Carols From King's

Review: The Choir of King's College has recorded this new disc of contemporary Christmas carols commissioned especially for them. The new carols sung by the Choir each Christmas Eve are always eagerly awaited by audiences. Stephen Cleobury has developed a long-standing commitment to bringing contemporary compositions to the Choir's repertoire alongside the very traditional and he and the Choir are well known for their great support of new music and feature here a programme of pieces by a wide variety of modern composers. Among them, "The Gleam", a new piece by Gramophone Award-winning artist Harrison Birtwistle, "In Wintertime" by Lennox Berkely and "Bogoroditse Dyevo" (Mother of God and Virgin), which was a special gift to the Choir and Stephen Cleobury from Estonian composer Arvo Part. The disc also includes the Winter Solstice Carol, written by Giles and the carol "What Sweeter Music" by composer John Rutter.

Songlist: The Shepherd's Carol, On Christmas Day to My Heart, God Would Be Born in Thee, Bogoroditse dyevo (Hail Mary), Angels, In Wintertime, Christmas Carol, The Three Kings, What Sweeter Music, A Gathering, Illuminare, Jerusalem, One Star at Last, Carol for St. Steven, The Birthday of Thy King, Winter Solstice Carol, Seinte Mari moder milde, The Gleam, Christo Paremus Cantica, Spring in Winter, The Fayrfax Carol, Swete Jesu, Pilgrim Jesus

Libera : Christmas in Ireland

Review: This Christmas, boy choir super-group Libera bring their angelic voices and inspiring music to the holiday season with a new CD and DVD: Angels Sing - Christmas in Ireland. The program features beloved carols old and new, sacred and secular, joyful and tender - all recorded live in the radiant ambiance of St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Ireland. This inspiring concert features favorites such as 'Carol of the Bells,' 'Joy to the World,' 'Silent Night,' 'Danny Boy' and more, and the DVD also contains behind-the-scenes documentary extras. Six of the tracks are previously unreleased, and the remaining songs all feature brand-new arrangements made especially for this recording. The distinctive music of Libera has traveled the world, with chart-topping albums and sold-out performances across the globe. The group has performed in front of the Pope during a visit to Yankee Stadium and at the Kennedy Center during a ceremony honoring Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Their signature sound shimmering, mystical chords and harmonies atop traditional and electronic instruments has captured the hearts of music lovers everywhere, and their passionate, dedicated fan base (including over 5 million YouTube views) attest to the enduring power and appeal of this unique group.

Moscow Boys Choir : Christmas Around The World

Review: The Moscow Boys Choir is a careful blending of heavenly soprano voices with the rich resonance of bass, tenor, and baritone sound that brings a distinct Russian flavor to an all new choral experience. Founded in 1957, this choral ensemble is among Russia's most prestigious all-boy choirs, which is currently under the direction of Mr. Leonid Baklushin. Now for the first time ever, the Moscow Boys Choir is available in the crystal clarity of DVD! This very special performance was recorded in high definition by HDNet TV. Their work with HDNet exemplifies the Moscow Boys Choir's innovative spirit and displays their hallmark cutting-edge style. The significance of becoming amount the very first boys choir's to be broadcast in this new and exciting medium is a tribute to their tremendous talents and will no doubt bring more awareness of and accolades for this truly 21st century ensemble.

Songlist: A Quiet Melody, Angels We Have Heard On High, Ave Maria, Gloria / Kyrie, Hallelujah, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Fum! Fum! Fum!, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, L'Allelujah, Ochi Tchiornye, Evening Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Kalinka

Gents : Follow That Star

Review: After their first CD for Channel Classics: The Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, with English Polyphony of the Renaissance, now present themselves in a completely different guise: on this Christmas CD they give you a glimpse of their taste for the lighter styles. You will hear a wide selection of the personal favourites of their singers, such as Follow that star, A Wonderful Christmastime, and Jingle Bell Rock. In addition to other popular Christmas Ballads from the American Songbook, such as Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas, they have put a new spin on a couple of traditional carols, like Silent Night and Es ist ein Ros entsprungen. Most of the arrangements were written especially for The Gents.

Songlist: Follow That Star, Gaudete Christus Est Natus, Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, Walking in the Air, Wonderful Christmastime, Hijo de la Luna, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Just Another Star, Jingle Bell Rock, Let It Snow, The Christmas Song, Sleighride, Winter Wonderland, Silent Night

New York Polyphony : Sing Thee Nowell

Review: The holiday season generally abounds with similar-sounding releases, but the year 2014 brought an unusually fresh crop including this release from the vocal quartet New York Polyphony, excellently recorded by BIS at a boychoir chapel in Princeton, New Jersey. The group follows the common procedure of including music from the Middle Ages to the present day, but they push the boundaries at each step with a distinctive sound that flirts with, but does not adopt, the textures made famous by the Swingle Singers. This has a revelatory effect in Philippe Verdelot's Gabriel Archangelus, a work that does not sound like much when dutifully sung by a cathedral choir. Many pieces are grouped by Christmas subtheme -- Annunciation, Epiphany, Advent, and Nativity -- and the program is cannily put together to show ideas refracted through the music of various periods. For many, though, the chief attraction will be the impeccably close harmonies of New York Polyphony, and that kind of sheer skill rarely coexists with such programming sophistication. An ideal gift for someone who likes a cappella, small group polyphony.

Songlist: Veni Emmanuel, Adam lay ybounden, Gabriel archangelus, Gabriel archangelus, There is no rose of swych vertu, There is no rose (based on the tune Hereford), There is no rose, Nesciens mater, O pia virgo, Nowell: Out of your sleep, Nowell: Arise and wake, 5 Carols, Sleep Now, O Magnum Mysterium, Quem pastores laudavere, Quid petis, O Fili?, Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle, Bethlehem Down, Magi veniunt, O Little Town of Bethlehem

Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols TTBB

Review: These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

Chor Leoni : Choral Christmas Collection

Review: A perennial favourite with Vancouver audiences, Corlynn's sweet and gentle 'Christmas Angel' has elements of traditional and popular music. it is sure to be a hit with your audiences too. A smooth and jazzy version of 'Silent Night,' this piece is straightforward and suitable for any Christmas concert. Written in a traditional chant-like style with unison lines alternating with lush harmonic passages, Chor Leoni discovered Willan's previously unpublished version of 'Magnificat' and instantly fell in love with it. One of Chor Leoni's favourite modern Christmas carols, 'Yuletide Fires' is

Songlist: Christmas Angel, Silent Night, Magnificat, Yuletide Fires

Fred Bock : Singing Men at Christmas (Collection)

Review: Easy, inexpensive and quick to learn arrangements for male voices.

Songlist: While By The Sheep, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Be Near Me, Lord Jesus, O Little Town of Bethlehem

Jay Althouse : Christmas Spirituals for Men's Voices

Review: A selection of superb well-crafted orginal a cappella Christmas sprituals. "Good News" opens with an energetic melody sung by the low voice with the upper three voices singing in counterpoint above. Rhythmic energy develops the piece and it ends with an electrifyimg eight measure coda that's the pinnacle of excitement. No solos, no tempo changes make for quick learning. In the classic spiritual tradition, yet fresh and contemporary." Whisper! Whisper!" has strong dynamic contrasts (from "Whisper, whisper, tiny baby in a manger lay" to "Shout it out from the hills and valleys; baby born today") make this a winner for your choir. A lush middle section contrasts with the rhythmic excitement of the opening theme. Brief, easy solos for male singer. Who's That Baby?" opens with the basses asking, in a hushed, rhythmic melody, "Who's that baby in a manger bed?" The text is classic spiritual style, but the music is anything but... it's fresh, new, and alive! "Have You Heard?" features contrasting dynamics (excellent for teaching phrasing), male solos, and a tender middle section which contrasts with the hushed excitement of the opening and closing melody. Includes a descant on the final chorus.

Songlist: Good News!, Who's That Baby?, Whisper! Whisper! ( Baby Born Today ), Have You Heard?, Look Up, Children

Various Arrangers : Christmas Spirituals for Men's Voices Vol 2

Review: Very cool! A rhythmic and refreshing twist on a holiday favorite! "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" features dynamic syncopation and vocal interplay between parts. The traditional melody is presented in a slightly less than traditional way amidst the dramatic vocal ostinatos and countermelodies of the other parts, then finishes with fabulous glee club choral sound. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" has always been one of our livelier Christmas traditions and Carolyn Jennings's arrangement and additional text is spectacular. This exuberant arrangement for men's voices is bubbling over with joy and good tidings. Great for glee club or men's chorus, or to give the male voices in your mixed choir a moment in the spotlight. This is a real showstopper. "We've Got Good News to Tell!" -With more than eighteen million copies of his works have been sold Don Besig is the recipient of several ASCAP Special Awards. "Jesus, What a Wonderful Child" - Rollo Dilworth's exciting arrangement of this gospel favorite is an exuberant celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Savior and King. This driving, energetic anthem is full of spirit and joy! It will stand on its own with piano only, or add some sparkle with the optional trumpets and rhythm section. A tried and true winner!

Songlist: Go, Tell it on the Mountain, We've Got Good News to Tell!, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Jesus, What a Wonderful Child

Various Arrangers : Christmas Spirituals for Men's Voices Vol 3

Review: William Powell has adapted Rosephanye Powell's original setting of "Glory Hallelujah To Duh Newbo'n King" for TTBB singers. The results are marvelous. This great, energetic Christmas Spiritual soars with the male voice. Church and school choirs will find this piece an excellent addition to their program. Rehearsal Trax available separately. "The Glory Manger" - Well-written straightforward arrangement of one of the more unusual spirituals, suitable for a holiday concert or worship service. Familiar harmonies make it an easily learned, readily programmed piece. The original Christmas spiritual "Mary Sat A-Rockin'" will delight the congregation. Beginning with a bass ostinato line, the tenors join, and then the women enter in a rhythmic and energetic pattern. Including some divisi for the women, and an interesting key change, "Mary Sat A-Rockin'" explores the full range of dynamics and will be a memorable selection for Christmas.

Songlist: Follow That Star To Bethlehem, Glory Hallelujah To Duh Newbo'n King, Mary Had A Baby, The Glory Manger, Mary Sat A-Rockin', Follow That Star To Bethlehem

Various Arrangers : Men Sing Christmas

Review: A selection of traditional carols from around the world arranged for men's voices. includes carols from Cornwall, Germany, Spain and America.

Songlist: Rise Up Shepherd, O Tannenbaum, A La Nanita Nana, When Jesus Comes, While By My Sheep, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Cantabile - The London Quartet : A Festival of Carols in Two Minutes

Review: In the space of two minutes, enjoy singing favorite moments from nearly 30 Christmas carols and songs in this medley arranged by Cantabile - the London Quartet. Lots of fun for everybody!

Songlist: A Festival of Carols in Two Minutes

Donald Campfield : Sacred Carols for Men's Voices

Review: A selection of sacred carols.

Songlist: O Come, All Ye Faithful, What Child Is This?, I Wonder As I Wander, Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, O Come Emmanuel, Away In A Manger, Joy To The World, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, O Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Angels From The Realms Of Glory, Angels We Have Heard On High, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, I Heard The bells On Christmas Day, As With Gladness Men Of Old, Good Christian Men Rejoice, The First Noel, We Three Kings, Silent Night

Gladys Pitcher : 30 Old and New Christmas Carols (TTBB)

Review: 30 Old and New Christmas Carols for church, home or community singing. This edition is for unison or four-part male voices.

Songlist: Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, The Birthday of a King, Carol of the Russian Children, Christmas is Coming, Coventry Carol, Deck the Hall, The First Nowell, The Friendly Beasts, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angel, The Holly and the Ivy, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Behtlehem, Shepherds, Shake off Your Drowsy Sleep, Silent Night, Susanni, Wassail Song, We Three Kings of Orient Are, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, What Child is This? (Greensleeves), While By My Sheep, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, and more

Keith Christopher : Christmas Songs (Collection for Tenor Bass Chorus)

Review: A practical holiday collection for the developing male chorus. Includes: Blue Christmas, Deck the Hall, Go Tell It On the Mountain, A Holly Jolly Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas. Available: TB/TTB, Performance Time: Approx. 11:55.

Songlist: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Deck The Hall, Blue Christmas, A Holly Jolly Christmas, I'll Be Home For Christmas

Norman Luboff : Season's Greetings - TTBB

Review: The holiday albums of the Norman Luboff Choir were perennial bestsellers for years and these arrangements are classics that will brighten any Holiday concert.

Songlist: Deck The Halls, Still, Still, Still, A La Nanita Nanita, I Saw Three Ships, Lullaby Of The Shepard, Baloo, Lammy, Merry Christmas One And For All, O Christmas Tree, Whence ComesThis Rush Of Wings, Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine, Gloucestershire Wassail, Silent Night

Ralph Vaughan Williams : Nine Carols For Male Voices

Review: Vaughan Williams arranged these carols during World War 1 for the "choir" he developed among the men in his Field Ambulance unit. In 1917 they were stationed in Greece, near Katerini, on a hillside with Mount Olympus towering above. Ursula Vaughan Williams writes "Another experince, which no one who was there forgot, was carol singing on Christmas Eve: snow-capped Olympus, the clear night, the stars, and Ralph's choir singing carols of Hereford and Sussex with passionate nostaglia. The choir made that Christmas so far from home one that had a special quality, a special beauty, long remembered."

Songlist: God Rest Ye Merry, And Joseph Was A-Walking (Cherry Tree Carol), The First Nowell, The Lord At First, Coventry Carol, I Saw Three Ships, A Virgin Most Pure, Dives And Lazarus

Roger Emerson : Holiday Collection - For Men Only

Review: Here is a unique collection of holiday songs arranged for men's chorus. Ideal for concert programming, traveling or recruiting concerts, it features six Emerson originals and arrangements never before available in TBB voicings. Piano accompaniment.

Songlist: The Christ Child is Born, Mary Had a Baby, Eight Nights, Eight Lights, Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Silver Bells, Feliz Navidad, The Story of Hanukkah

Various : The Ultimate SA Men Carol Book

Review: A new version of our bestselling carol collection for choirs where tenors and basses sing just one part. 100 best-loved carols plus many newer settings are included, many of which with descants. One thing is for sure: this is the only carol book you need this Christmas!

Voicing: Children

Larry Pugh : Just for the Guys at Christmas

Review: Eight Reproducible Choral Works for the Emerging TB Chorus. Like its namesake predecessor, "Just for the Guys at Christmas" presents eight exceptional and best-selling titles not previously available in a TB voicing--this time featuring holiday repertoire--in a cost-saving reproducible format. For just over $5 per title, your purchase includes the non-transferable right to make a personal copy of the music for each singer, no matter how big your choir--both now and for years to come--plus a helpful accompaniment CD. The featured titles include the music some of today's best educational choral composers, making this unique collection both practical and a great resource for TB holiday repertoire.

Songlist: Cantate Hodie! (Sing Today), Noel, Noel , Whatcha Gonna Call That Baby?, Beautiful December, African Noel, A La Nanita Nana , Riu, Riu, Chiu, Have a Merry One!