These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

Considered by some to be the finest recording of Christmas carols ever, these original compositions were written by Alfred and primary lyricists Wihla Hutson and Bates G. Burt (Alfred's father). In fact, the carols were initially sent as Christmas messages to Burt family members and friends! Alfred died in 1954 at the age of thirty three, but his legacy has brought joy to untold myriads of listeners ever since. Artists from Nat "King" Cole to the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus have popularized what conductor John Williams described as "mini-masterpieces." The sixteen voice a cappella choir directed by arranger Jimmy Joyce (who had worked with Alfred in the Alvino Rey Orchestra) is sprightly and surefooted in their performance, which was recorded in 1963. A sentimental and popular favorite.

Songlist: This Is Christmas, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Ah, Bleak And Chill The Wintry Wind, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, Sleep, Baby Mine, All On A Christmas Morning, Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, We'll Dress The House, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Nigh Bethlehem, What Are The Signs, Jesu Parvule, O Hearken Ye

"All On A Christmas Morning" is one of the least performed but most hauntingly beautiful of the Alfred Burt Christmas carols, this male chorus version features tight four-and five-part voicings and jazz reharmonizations throughout, a rare step-out solo for the second bass, followed by another step-out solo for the first tenor. Rangy, but worthy addition to any Christmas program. This arrangement of "Away In A manger" seeks to give the lyrics their proper focus. It very effectively catches the mood that was intended with the lyrics, alternating shimmering harmonies with unison lines. Each member of the quartet is featured with one verse per person. This jazz waltz arrangement of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" is reminiscent of Blue Rondo a la Turk. The top tenor has the melody throughout, sung sweetly above the energetic rhythmic bed of the others. Other than a few slightly tongue twisting lines, this arrangement is not at all difficult, but it is very effective. "What Are The Signs?" This little Alfred Burt Christmas carol is effective on its own or as a prelude to other carols in the program, especially other Burt carols. It begins with a Gregorian chant effect with all voices in a very quiet, low unison, then opens into a beautiful four-part male chorale in its second half. Requires good low range in the second bass part.

Songlist: All On a Christmas Morning, What Are the Signs?, Away In a Manger, We Wish You a Merry Christmas

15 carols that started as a family Christmas card tradition and ended up as part of the standard Christmas carol repertoire. This collection also features a bio on Burt. Voice and piano.

Songlist: Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintery Wind, All On a Christmas Morning, Carol of the Mother, Christ in a Starnger's Guise, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Jesu Parvule, Nigh Bethlehem, O Hearken Ye, Some Children See Him, The Star Carol, This Is Christmas, We'll Dress the House, What Are The Signs?