Review: This new Christmas recording of favorite carols sung by choir and congregation with choral and organ settings by Sir David Willcocks, Larry Fleming, Stephen Paulus, Paul Manz and David Cherwien entitled "Carols We Love to Sing." Artistic Director David Cherwien is at the organ, along with Rachel Brandwein (harp), and Sarah Carmack (oboe), all assisting the featured musical resources: the song of the assembly. This release completes a trio of popular recordings of hymn and carol settings

Songlist: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Love Has Come, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, Once in Royal David's City, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Oh, Come, Little Children, On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol), Of the Father's Love Begotten, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, In the Bleak Midwinter

Review: The National Lutheran Choir is pleased to announce the release of their 10th Christmas album, Christ is Born! This new recording contains 18 tracks from their recent Christmas Festival concerts at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis

Songlist: Welcome All Wonders, There Is No Rose, Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant, A Virgin Unspotted, God's Mother Be, Pat-A-Pan, Entre Le Beouf Et L'ane Gris, What 'cha Gonna Call The Pretty Little Baby, Hush! My Dear, Lie Still And Slumber, For Unto Us A Child Is Born, Wexford Carol, O Magnum Mysterium, Go, Pretty Child, See, Amid The Winter's Snow, Incarnation, I Believe This Is Jesus, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, The Darkest Midnight In December

Review: This special release was created in reaction to the overwhelming demand for a recording of our concerts entitled, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," performed in Arizona and Minnesota in February 2015. The music is a collection of pieces from cultures that historically have been oppressed, including Estonians, Native Americans and African Americans. While shedding light on the human condition, the music simultaneously celebrates the deeply rooted spirit of survival and hope. This album was funded by the generous support of individuals from around the world through Indiegogo.com. Thank you to all of our friends and fans that gave this album wings!

Songlist: Bawo Thixo Somandla, Sometimes I Feel, Guide Me as I Walk Along, Amazing Grace, Ej, saulite, driz pie Dieva, Ezekiel Saw de Wheel, Sweet Home, Saule, Perkons, Daugava, The Caged Bird, Hope and Quietly Wait, Ute Sundance, Lugsana Latvietim Svesuma Klistot, Ukuthula, I Got Shoes, Great Day, We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace, Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down

Review: Drawing on works for choir and organ out of Great Britain, Exalt combines this with two NLC commissions premiered over the past several years. Great Britain has an impressive, long-standing tradition of choir and organ music for the daily Evensong liturgies all across England, such as those offered at King's College, Cambridge, and Westminster Cathedral, London. Some of the"Top 10" from this genre are included in this new recording, such as Stanford's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A; Britten's Te Deum; and Matthias' Let the People Praise Thee, composed for the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. Aaron David Miller, the organist featured on this new recording, is brilliant at the organ, bringing out a full range of effects, melting into one voice with the choir.

Exalt also features two commissions; the first, Great or Small, was written by emerging Canadian composer, Zachary Wadsworth. This new piece for choir and organ was premiered at the NLC's concert in May 2014.

The second commission is a multi-movement work by Daniel Kallman, entitled, Behold the All. Upon receiving the commission from the National Lutheran Choir, Kallman reached out to noted Lutheran minister, poet and lyricist, Herb Brokering. Shortly after their meeting, Herb became ill and passed away. Kallman later discovered that Brokering had composed an all new text for this commission, possibly the last set of writings of Brokering's life. Kallman calls the text,"an extended and ecstatic outburst on the beauty and mystery of life, creation, faith and salvation," and"a magnificent capstone to (Brokering's) body of work and a gift to us all."

Songlist: Let the People Praise Thee, O God, Te Deum in C, Jubilate Deo, Thou Wilt Keep Him, Great or Small, Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, Kyrie, Keep Your Hand on the Plow, Alleluia, Behold the light, Be as children, Do you hear what these are singing?, So sing

Review: The 60 mixed-voice National Lutheran Choir, directed by renowned Artistic Director David Cherwien, is "dedicated to strengthening, renewing and preserving the Lutheran heritage of choral music through the highest standards of performance and literature." It performs works from the entire spectrum of sacred choral music, with and without accompaniment. Their rich, diverse repertoire ranges from early chant to new compositions and from simple folk songs to complex choral masterworks. In addition to annual concerts in and around Minneapolis, MN, the Choir tours regularly throughout the United States, commissions new works, produces high quality recordings and is heard over the Minnesota and National Public Radio broadcast networks. "From Light to Light" contains 19 tunes, some favorites are Brahms' "Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee," Palestrina's "Sicut Cervus," Eric Whitacre's lovely "I thank you God for most this Amazing Day" and "hope, faith, life, love," the traditional Shaker song "Lay Me Low," J. Aaron McDermid's four-part title tune, "From Light to Light I-Earth, II-Fire, III-Water and IV-Wind;" the Negro Spiritual "Hold On!," Robert Hobby's "There is Sweet Music," Gerre Hancock's "Deep River" and Alfred Schnittke's "Concerto for Choir, Movement II." Beautiful a cappella music from one of America's most magnificent Choirs!

Songlist: Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee, Sicut Cervus, I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day, At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners, Lay Me Low (from Shaker Songs), Oculus Non Vidit, Hope, Faith, Love, McKay (from An American Thanksgiving), The Lord Bless You And Keep You, From Light To Light I - Earth, From Light To Light II - Fire, From Light To Light III - Water, From Light To Light IV - Wind, Hold On!, The Sun Has Gone Down, There Is Sweet Music, Deep River, Now All The Wood Are Sleeping, Concerto for Choir, Movement II

Review: Artistic Director David Cherwien, conductor, organist and pianist, leads the Minneapolis, MN-based National Lutheran Choir in this live, organ and piano-accompanied collection of 13 joyous hymns. We are clearly invited to sing this triumphant music along with the Choir, as the liner notes feature the lyrics of all the songs in unusually large type; with very little about the size, history or details about the Choir or Director Cherwein. It's all about the music, about the power and faith of this great American Choir. Some favorites are "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Down in the River to Pray," "Steal Away," "Standin' in the Need of Prayer," "When Peace Like A River" and "Holy God, We Praise Your Name." A quote on the back of the liner notes says in part, "Joyful music leads us sunward. In the triumph song of life. Stars and angels sing around thee, Center of unbroken praise" "Hymns We Love to Sing, Vol. II" is by a wonderful Choir that loves to sing joyous praises to God, and they invite us to join them!

Songlist: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, The King Of Love My Shepherd Is, Angels We Have Heard On High, Down In The River To Pray, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, Alleluia! Christ Is Arisen, Steal Away, O Blessed Spring, Standin' In The Need Of Prayer, You Are Holy, I Want Jesus To Walk With Me, When Peace Like A River, Holy God, We Praise Your Name

Review: For their 25th season, current NLC singers and alumni have compiled this two-disc collection of favorite works from the past years. These works were taken from 24 of the choir's recordings, beginning with tracks conducted by founder Larry Fleming, and ending with selections from Hymns We Love to Sing, Vol II, which was recorded in spring 2010.

Songlist: Sing And Ponder, Donde Hay, Holy Spirit, Psallite, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Away In A Manger, There Is No Rose, The Glory Of The Father, I Heard A Great Voice, Out Of The Orient Crystal Skies, Wondrous Birth, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Who Shall Separate Us, Come, Holy Ghost, Nunc Dimittis, O Light Everlasting, A Christmas Carol, Now All Poor And Humble, Prayer To Jesus, I Will Sing To The Lord, My Friend Had A Vineyard, Inscription from the Catacombs, My Lord, What a Mornin', There Is A Balm In Gilead, My Soul - Jesus Loves Me, In The Beginning Was The Word, Ubi Caritas, Blessed Are They, Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One, Ah, Holy Jesus, and more

Review: Hymn CDs are among our best sellers, and this one represents a Lutheran flavor of hymn singing and arrangements that is beautifully done. With varied arrangements by conductor and organis, David Cherwien, this large choir from Minnesota has produced a CD that is guaranteed to have you singing along with hymns like "Beautiful Savior," "A Mighty Fortress," and "Abide with me."

Songlist: Praise To The Lord, If You But Trust In God To Guide You, Our Father's Love Begotten, Jesus Loves Me, Love Divine All Loves Excelling, Children Of The Heavenly Father, Now The Green Blade Rises, A Mighty Fortress, Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, Precious Lord, Beautiful, Built On A Rock, Abide With Me

National Lutheran Choir : I Sing Of Thy Mercies   

Review: Founded in 1986 by Dr. Larry L. Fleming, and now directed by Dr. David Cherwien, the Minneapolis-based, mixed-voice NLC is comprised of professional choral musicians. "I Sing" is a limited edition CD, celebrating the Choir's 2003 West Coast Tour. Included are 9 songs, the spirituals "Ain'a That Good News" and "Tell 'em I'm Gone," the title tune, M.A. Blakireff's "Send Out Thy Light," Urmas Sisask's "Oremus," "Prayer for Peace" (by director Cherwein), Barber's "Lamb of God" and Tavener's "Song for Athene." Beautiful and inspirational.

Songlist: Ain't That Good News, I Sing of Thy Mercies, Send Out Thy Light, Tell 'em I'm Gone, Lord God, You Have Called You Servants, Oremus (XXII from Gloria Patri), Prayer for Peace, Lamb of God, Song for Athene

Review: Minnesota's renowned, mixed-voice National Lutheran Choir, ably led by composer/arranger Fleming, begins this powerful 8-song collection with a 16-minute "Folk Hymn Suite" that features works from Spanish, Russian, Norwegian, Jewish, Irish, German, Black Spiritual, French and Swedish musical traditions, lightly accompanied. Following are several favorites, including the 14th century plainsong "Sing and Ponder," Wm. Billings' lilting "I am the Rose of Sharon," B.F. White's "The Morning Trumpet," "His Voice" and the joyous "Lord of the Dance." Beautiful and inspirational throughout!

Songlist: Folk Hymn Suite, Sing And Ponder, I Am The Rose Of Sharon, Humble Service, The Morning Trumpet, Jerusalem, My Happy Home, His Voice, Lord Of The Dance

Review: A professional choir from Minnesota, the Choir perform selections from a divergent literature. This is a seasonal recording, emphasizing classical compositions, not carols, and is subtitled "The Light Is Come"; loosely defined, the theme is the birth cycle of Christ. Works by Kodaly, Clausen, Poulenc, Bach, Christiansen and others are performed, with the exception of Dave Brubeck's "Gloria," a flamenco arrangement, and the recording's wild card. Several of the tracks are accompanied, such as "This Is The Christ," but with pristine and restrained orchestrations, lovely indeed. In keeping with the CD's seraphic motif, the choir's tone color is one of brilliance and purity.

Songlist: Restoration, Morning Star, In Darkest Night, Come, Awake, I Beheld Her, Magnificat, Tota Pulchra Es, A Spotless Rose, Now, O Come, My Soul's True Light, Et Incarnatus Est, A Christmas Carol, O Magnum Mysterium, Shining Stable In The Night, Maria Sat In Cattle Stall, While Angels Sing, Gloria, Born Today, Come, Return, And On That Day, Hush, My Dear, In Dulci Jubilo, Now All Poor, This Is The Christ, O Light Everlasting