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! |
