Review: Dynamic director Annabelle Marie leads her renowned children's choir, comprised of American children ages 6 to 18, representing 35 cultures in this marvelous, memorable album. Marie founded VOENA (Voices of Eve 'N Angels) in 1994 in Benicia, CA with 12 members, and the numbers soon grew. No auditions are needed to join, just a desire to sing and a willingness to work at it. Since then 150-member VOENA has become one of the country's most successful children's choirs, invited to perform in China, Italy, Greece and Mexico; performing 5 times at the White House, at Carnegie Hall, and has represented the U.S. at South Africa's Soweto Music Festival. There are 19 songs here, some of our favorites are the piano-accompanied English/Zulu song "He Lives in You," the traditional Ghana tune "Celebrate Asante," Annabelle Marie's lovely drum, guitar and piano accompanied "Voices Dream," the harp accompanied Celtic "Isle of Innisfree," the Gaelic songs "Kimberly" and "One More Day;" the guitar and violin accompanied Hebrew song "Erev Shel Shoshanim," Lennon & McCartney's "Blackbird" and "Let It Be;" "Mist and Shadow" with music by Billy Boyd and lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkein; the Macedonian tune "Tatkovina," the English/French song "I Believe in You" and so many others. Crystal clear solos, spirited harmonies, and literally the voices of angels on this joyous, inspirational, well-chosen collection. Treat yourself to this feel-good album and become an instant fan of director Marie and her wonderful choir!

Songlist: He Lives In You, Celebrate Asante, Voices Dream, Isle of Innisfree, Kinderly, Siphâ' Amandla, Erev Shel Shoshanim, Famine Song, Blackbird, Nella Fantasia, Kyrie Eleison, Mist and Shadow, I'o Miâ'Kmaq Song, One More Day, Tatkovina, I Have a Dream, I Believe in You, Soyâ'Ishaya Lengoma, Let It Be

Review: Annabelle Cruz, founder and Director of Voena, her very special 56-strong international mixed choir boys and girls, ages 7 to 15. Based in Benicia, CA, "Voena" stands for "Voices of Eve 'N Angels" Annabelle encouraged the children, with multicultural backgrounds, to celebrate their unique sound, in the hope that they would become not just a choir but a family. They took off from there, singing 2 to 4-part harmonies, growing into doing song arranging and even composing. "A Cappella America" has 18 songs, featuring some excellent solos by young choir members. Some favorites: "Sweetly the Swan Sings," written by Annabelle, "God Bless America/My Country 'Tis Of Thee," "Children of Creation," with music by Annabella, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the South African folk song "Singabahambayo," the traditional "Greensleeves," "America the Beautiful," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn," Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata," and Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Some accompaniment by Native Flute, percussion and fiddle. We find Voena's story inspirational, and their music beautiful and fine!

Songlist: Sweetly the Swan Sings, God Bless America / My Country Tis of Thee, Children of Creation, Song of Peace, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Dark of the Moon, Singabahambayo, Kye Kye Kule, Massom Massom, Stand in the River, Wichita Stick Game, Greensleeves, America, The Beautiful, Star Spangled Banner, Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn, This Little Light of Mine, Pata Pata, The Magic Flute

Review: This 2-DVD set celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the remarkable Benicia, CA-based VOENA (Voices of Eve 'N Angels), created by director Annabelle Marie. Disc 1 features the group's amazing journey through an interview conducted with Annabelle in the front seat of her moving car, and a collage of still photos and colorful live performance videos. Disc 2 is packed with full performances of their 2004 COPIA and Napa Valley Opera House concerts, highlights of their 2003 A&E Special featuring VOENA in the Pageant of Peace Ceremony at the White House. The colorfully-dressed, talented, joyful children (including 12-year-old soloist Holly Stell, who recorded with Andrea Bocelli) dance and sing on stage with Annabelle in many languages, delighting us and their audiences with their joy of singing. There is usually some light accompaniment, percussion and piano supplied by the children, violin played by Annabelle, and other instruments. "The Journey" is a feel-good, inspirational CD set from start to finish!

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