Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, the 25-strong mixed-voice VAE, directed by Earl Rivers, is a professional choir that advocates and promotes a repertory of innovative and traditional choral music. They have twice received an ASCAP-Chorus America Award for "Adventuresome Programming of Contemporary Music." Light accompaniment of harp and oboe on most cuts, except for the High Renaissance a cappella tunes "Quem vidistis, pastores?" by Richard Dering, and Palestrina's "Canite tuba." 18 songs: "Fum, fum, fum!," "Three Nativity Carols" by Stephen Paulus, Wm. Dawson's spirituals "Mary Had A Baby" and "Behold The Star," John Tavener's "The Lamb," Frank Ferko's 4-part piece from "A Festival of Carols," Bror Samuelsson's "Ave Maris Stella" and Steven Sametz' "Irish Lullaby" are standouts. Extensive liner notes with all lyrics. This is a finely-arranged, beautifully-performed collection, sure to brighten your holiday season!