One of the most popular music ensembles at Northfield, MN's St. Olaf College is the 100-strong Manitou Singers, comprised of 100 first year women's voices. Manitou sings at the opening worship service of the college; at daily chapel and church services, the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, its own Spring concert and others. Their repertoire includes the sacred, the secular and even popular ballads. On "Repertoire for Women's Voices, Vol. 6," well-respected Director Sigrid Johnson leads Manitou's clear, soaring voices in 18 beautiful, mostly piano-accompanied songs; some favorites are Gyorgy Orban's 4-part "Mass #6," a pair by David M. Childs, "I Am Not Yours" and "She Walks In Beauty;" a pair by Joan Szymko, "The Peace of Wild Things" and "I Dream A World;" Z. Randall Stroope's "Dies Irae;" Michael Cleveland's "Come to Me" among many others. A delicate, lovely collection from this young, talented group! |