Since its debut in 1998, the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival has established itself as one of the finest events of its kind in the US. This is a double CD set, featuring a collection of performances fom festival years 1998 through 2001 on Disc 1 and highlights from PICCFEST 2002 on Disc 2. There are 19 live, accompanied, wonderful, spirited songs on Disc 1, by some of the best children's choirs we've heard: from "Panis Angelicus," by the Phoenix Boys Choir and "Jabberwocky," by the Seattle Children's Chorus, to "On suuri sun rantas autius" by the Surrey Children's Choir and "It Don't Mean a Thing" by the Youth Choir of Central Oregon--it's all pure, sweet stuff. Disc 2, from 2002, features 13 live cuts by 13 different groups, from Indianapolis Children's Choir Kantorei, Northwest Girlchoir Vivace Choir and Pacific Chorale Children's Chorus to the Piedmont Choirs Concert Choir, the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir (one of our favorites), and Young Voices of Colorado--there's not a bad cut here. This is a real feel-good CD on many levels. Though all accompanied, the focus is on the voices of the children, which are incredible! Recommended. |
