"Solstice!" is a live recording of a very special concert recorded on the winter's solstice, December 21, 2003. The women of Aurora , which means "new dawn," take us "deep into the heart of winter" and back into the light-a powerful journey into the land of the soul. The 100-strong women's chorus, founded in 1992 by David York and led by director and prolific composer Joan Symko since 1994, has created a new tradition of presenting truly inclusive holiday concerts that nurture and delight their audiences. There are 22 songs here, the first 16 from the "Solstice!" concert, and the final 6 "Winter Favorites," which are bonus tracks from past winter concerts. Favorites are Linda Hirschhorn's "Solstice/Chanukah Chant," Rick Hamouris' "We Are a Circle," Anne Bearheart's "Solstice Chant," Susan Osborn's "Take Back the Night," David York's "Solstice," Charlie Murphy's "Light is Returning," Dar Williams' "The Christians and the Pagans," the traditional South African tune "We've Got the Power," Betsy Rose's "Carry It Home," Judy Fjell's "In the Winter," Claudia Schmidt's "Rock that Sucker," Peter Schickele (PDQ Bach)'s "Good King Kong Looked Out," and (Peter, Paul & Mary's) Peter Yarrow's classic "Light One Candle." There is some light accompaniment of piano, guitar, flute, percussion and rhythm ensemble. These are all powerful tunes that move and inspire us-perfect for helping us in the transition from the dark of winter into the light!