Review: Christopher Moore founded the Chicago Children's Choir in 1956, and this CD is a compilation of the best of their recordings over their 40-year history. There are 27 songs here, ranging from traditional spirituals like "Behold That Star," and "Mamelani," a traditional Zulu song, to Haydn's "Magnificat," Gabriel Faure's "Sanctus" and "Mi Go Zatvorile," a Macedonian song. The material is all over the globe, but the quality and enthusiasm of the various incarnations of the CCC remain high thoughout.

Songlist: Now Let Us Sing, Sound the Trumpet, Cantate Domino, Magnificat, On Saint's Day in Chigisakh, Froschquartett, Yo las noches, Prende la vela, Marching to Pretoria, Liyashizwa, Mamelani, Mi Go Zatvorile, Niska Banja, Behold that Star, Mary Had a Baby, Mi Y'Malel, Sh'ma Koleynu, Atsay Zaytim, Sanctus Canon, Sanctus (from Requiem), Sanctus (from Mass), Sanctus (from Missa Luba), Great Day, I've Been 'Buked, Soon Ah Will Be Done

Review: The multiracial and multicultural Chicago Children's Choir has been changing the lives of children through musical excellence since 1956, and this is a live CD from the World Choral Festivals Vienna 2001. There are 12 songs here, ranging from traditional spirituals arranged by Moses Hogan, "Great Day," "Battle of Jericho" and "My Soul's Been Anchored In The Lord," and South African folk songs "Njenge Bhadhi" and "Ke Nali Moona" to Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing" and Tobias Fox's "Shabach." All songs are accompanied, mostly by piano and drums. A great performance by an exceptional choir!

Songlist: Trosterin Musik, Salmo 150, Great Day, Battle of Jericho, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, Las Amarillas, Njenge Bhadi, Ke Nali Moona, One World, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), The Gods Love Nubia, Shabach

Review: "Open Up Your Heart" begins with a South African song of welcome, "Vela Vela," "Shosholoza" and "Iindonga Zajericho" were taught to the Choir while in South Africa in 1996. "Toyi Toyi and Ke Nale Monna" were brought back from South Africa by group member Mollie Stone and have become part of the Choir's core repertoire. "Prelude" and "Hanuman's Heart," composed by Jai Uttal as part of the musical "Sita Ram" he was commissioned to write for the CCC, is based on the timeless Indian epic, the Ramayana. "Tatkovina" (Macedonian) and Svadba (Bulgarian) and world folksongs. Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "I Need You to Survive" underline a fundamental element of the Choir's mission: not only do we need to love and respect each other, we are also responsible for what happens to every person in the world. Renowned Artistic Director Josephine Lee directs the award-winning 3 part (Chamber, Men's Chorus and Treble) CCC in this powerful, impressive collection. Some light drums and accompaniment, orchestral on "Hanuman's Heart" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." We really like this choir, and enjoyed every cut on "Open Up Your Heart!"

Songlist: Veia Veia, I Need You To Survive, Prelude, Hanuman's Heart, The Pasture, Tatkovina, Ke Nale Monna, Svadba, Iindonga Zajericho, Shocholoza, Bridge Over Troubled Water

Review: Based On The Ancient Eastern Epic, Ramayana, The Chicago CHildren's Choir commissioned Sita Ram in 2002 through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. An original world musical Sita Ram details the the powerful love that is created when the two elements Sita and Rama come together. And the peace that is possible through love.

Songlist: The Reign Of avana (Ravana and The She Demons), The Gods Have A Plan (Rishis, The God's Rama, Chorus), Rama Meets Sita (Rama, Sita), Shiva's Bow (Janaka Rama Sita The Gods Chorus), Surpanaka's Tango (Surpanka's She Demons), Let Me Be Sky (Rama Sita The Gods), Be With You (Rama), Funkey Monkey (Monkey #1), Yemanja (Hanuman), Let Me Burn (Rama Sita), Prelude (Hanumen), Hanuman's Heart

Review: Exuberant singing comes from the Chicago Children's Choir on songs of the human spirit. This live recording features Faure's Requiem and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with piano accompaniment by Russell Stern. A cappella songs include a very spirited arrangement by Moses Hogan of The Battle of Jericho, Sizohamba, a South African Xhosa song and Svadba, a Bulgarian Wedding song featuring the treble voices. The tenors and basses are featured on the John Coates Jr. arrangement of He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother. The program closes with Gods Love Nubia from the musical "Aida."

Songlist: Requiem, Op. 48:, - Introit and Kyrie, - Offertory, - Sanctus, - Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei, - Libera Me, - In Paradisum, Chichester Psalms: Psalm 108 vs. 2 & Psalm 100, entire, The Battle of Jericho, Sizohamba, Svadba, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, Gods Love Nubia (from the musical "Aida")