Carols for Choirs 5 continues the tradition of its predecessors by providing a complete resource for choirs from Advent through to Epiphany. Featuring brand new carols and arrangements of classic tunes, the collection showcases the very best established and new names in choral composition today.

Songlist: A Heavenly Song, A little child there is yborn, A Patre Unigenitus, Adam lay ybounden, Away in a manger (UK tune), Away in a manger (US tune), Blest Mary wanders through the thorn, Candlelight Carol, Carol, Ding dong! merrily on high, Glory to the Christ Child, God rest you merry, gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! the herald-angels sing, Hush! my dear, I saw a stable, I saw three ships, I sing of a maiden, In dulci jubilo, It came upon the midnight clear (UK tune), It came upon the midnight clear (US tune), Joy to the world!, Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming, Lullay, my liking, My Lord has Come, New Year, O come, all ye faithful, O come, O come, Emmanuel, O little town, Old Christmas Returned (or Hospitality Revived), and more

This collection includes nine of John Rutter's most popular Christmas carols, re-scored by the composer into three parts: for sopranos, altos, and unison men. From 'Star Carol' to 'All bells in paradise', these festive favourites continue to delight choirs and audiences across the world.

Songlist: All bells in paradise, Angels' Carol, Candlelight Carol, Donkey Carol, Love came down at Christmas, Mary's Lullaby, Star Carol, The Very Best Time of Year, What sweeter music

Full of joy and tenderness, John Rutter's carols illuminate and celebrate the Christmas story in works of great imagination and variety. This selection of his most popular carols forms an essential collection for all choirs. Includes 10 SATB carols, accompanied and unaccompanied.

Songlist: Angels' Carol, Candlelight Carol, Dormi, Jesu, Love Came Down At Christmas, Mary's Lullaby, Nativity Carol, Shepard's Pipe Carol, Star Carol, There Is A Flower, What Sweeter Music

"A Bella Christmas: Angels are Singing" is an aptly-named, live, gorgeous Christmas collection from the pride of Rochester, Minnesota. Most of the songs are accompanied by piano, a brass ensemble, organ, oboe and congas. But the highlight of the album is the high, soaring voices of the 51 singers, in perfect solos and together in glorious harmony. Some of our favorites among the 15 cuts are Z. Randall Stroope's "Magnificat" and "There Is No Rose;" Chris Dedrick's "The Angel Choir and The Trumpeter," Mozart's "Alleluia," John Rutter's lovely "Candlelight Carol" and a cappella "Deck The Hall;" Tchaikovsky's "Dans des Mirlitons" (Dance of the Reed Flutes," Pietro A. Yon's sublime "Gesu Bambino," the traditional song "Cantemos a Maria" (Let Us Sing to Mary); Egil Hovland's "Stay With Us" and the traditional carol "Silent Night." Every cut here is perfect, and guaranteed to bring joyous music to your Christmas celebrations for years to come!

Songlist: Magnificat, The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Alleluia, Candlelight Carol, Danse des Mirlitons (Dance of the Reed Flutes), Deck the Hall, Away in a Manger, Gesu Bambino, In the Bleak Midwinter, There Is No Rose, Cantemos a Maria (Let Us Sing To Mary), Stay With Us (from Captive and Free), Silent Night

The incomparable Cambridge Singers bring us 22 carols, old and new: In dulci jubilo, Adam lay ybounden, Christmas Night, Once, as I Remember, A spotless Rose, In the Bleak Mid-winter, There is a Flower, The Cherry Tree Carol, I Wonder as I Wander, Candlelight Carol, O Tannenbaum, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, A Virgin Most Pure, I Sing of a Maiden, Lute-Book Lullaby, Ballet, The Three Kings, Myn Lyking, O Little One Sweet, etc.

Songlist: In Dulci Jubilo, Adam Lay Ybounden, Christmas Night, Once, As I Remember, A Spotless Rose, In The Bleak Mid-Winter, There Is A Flower, The Cherry Tree Carol, I Wonder As I Wander, Candlelight Carol, O Tannenbaum, Tommorow Shall Be My Dancing Day, A Virgin Most Pure, I Sing Of A Maiden, Lute-Book Lullaby, The Three Kings, Myn Lyking, O Little One Sweet, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, I Saw A Madian, Away In A Manger, Nativity Carol

The Renowned, 31-strong Cambridge Singers have a present for us: 23 songs of Christmas, many of them written, composed and/or arranged by contemporary composer John Rutter, a giant in the Choral world. "Jesus Child," "There Is A Flower," "Donkey Carol," "Wildwood Carol," "Angels' Carol," "Mary's Lullaby" - Rutter's original music is lovely, and the CS are the group to do it justice. Also fine are all the traditional carols like "I Saw Three Ships" and "Joy to the World." The songs are divided into six sections: Prologue, The Christmas Story, Christmas Night, Christmas Reflections, Christmas Joy and Epilog. Most of the songs are accompanied by the London Sinfonia. The liner notes are extensive and beautiful. A monumental achievement for the Cambridge Singers, a generous, spirited and brilliant Christmas CD!

Songlist: Wexford Carol, The Christmas story - Jesus child, There Is a Flower, Donkey Carol, Wild Wood Carol, Angels' Carol, Nativity Carol, Mary's lullaby, Star Carol, Candlelight Carol, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Christmas lullaby, Dormi, Jesu, Love Came Down at Christmas, Sans Day Carol, I Wonder as I Wander, What Sweeter Music, Joy to the World, I Saw Three Ships, Deck the Hall, The Very Best Time of Year, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Silent Night

"The aim of this recording is to evoke a sense of the winter season, as reflected in some of the infinitely varied music inspired by it. Christmas inevitably lies at the heart of this wonderful melange of scared and secular, spiritual and convivial, poetic and earthy." - John Rutter. A compilation of tracks from 1982 thru 2003, mostly recorded in the Great Hall of University College School, London where the exquisite acoustics showcases the voices of the choir to perfection. A most enjoyable Christmas collection indeed!

Songlist: Candlelight Carol, O magnum mysterium, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, Puer nobis, Of a Rose, a lovely Rose, Lullay mine liking, In the bleak mid-winter, Away in a manger, Wild Wood Carol, Videntes stellam, Chanson, What Sweeter Music, Veni Redemptor gentium, Hodie Christus natus est, Hodie Christus natus est, Angels we have heard on high, What cheer?, Wassail song, Good Ale, The Very Best Time of Year

We will never forget the way these two men and two women from Australia, members of Vocal Jazz group The Idea of North, whose reputation as the best a cappella group in Australia preceded them, strode onto the stage of the 2003 Harmony Sweeps National Finals in San Rafael. They would be the very last to perform a 12-minute set, and the regional winners from around the country, many of whom had performed to standing ovations by the sold-out audience, had set the bar incredibly high. But their first sweet notes were a revelation, and after ION's own roaring standing O, it was obvious to all who the audience favorite and National Champions were. There are 12 tunes here, some of our favorites are a bluesy, finger-popping take on "The Christmas Song," "Christmas Medley," which blends "Once in Royal David's City," "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" with innovative arrangements; a gentle lullaby new to our ears, "The Silver Stars are In the Sky" touched and moved us; "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a big-band accompanied celebration; two Salsa band-accompanied versions of "Mary's Boy Child," one featuring James Morrison, and a pair of lovely, soaring, orchestra-accompanied songs, "Candlelight Carol" and "A Child is Born." The Pop-flavored title tune is also new to us, a joyous, Jazz band-accompanied greeting to the season. The a cappella "Angel" with its powerful "in the arms of the angel" chorus underscores the probable meanness of the nativity. We hold The Idea of North in a special place in our hearts and relate to "This Christmas" as a gift from this extraordinary quartet!

Songlist: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song, Candlelight Carol, Mary's Boy Child, This Christmas, Angel, The Silver Stars are in the Sky, Once in Royal David's City, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, A Child Is Born, Poverty, I'll Be Home For Christmas

Aurora is one of seven choral ensembles at Decorah, IA's Luther College, founded in 1981 and comprised of 100 first-year women, selected each fall by audition. Named Pike Kor from the mid-1980s until the spring of 2008 when the ensemble was renamed Aurora, latin for dawn. Aurora performs on and off-campus for worship services, participates in the annual Christmas at Luther concert, and presents a spring concert with The Norsemen. "Using Our Voices" is an 18-song collection, some are accompanied by piano, flute, and percussion. Particularly fine are Stephen Paulus' "Daybreak," Libby Larsen's powerful a cappella tune "The Womanly Song of God," Andrea Clearfield's "Sarah (from Women of Valor)," Daniel Kallman's "There Will Be Rest," Kinley Lange's "Esto les digo" and "Prayer for the Gifts," Craig Hella Johnson's "Will There Really Be a Morning?," Abbie Betinis' "Hail! Christmas day," Edwin Fissinger's "Love Came Down at Christmas," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol" and "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." These young voices seem talented and poised way beyond their years, singing difficult, sometimes eclectic material effortlessly and gracefully. Don't miss these beautiful, spirited, soaring harmonies from Aurora!

Songlist: DayBreak, The Womanly Song of God, O frondens virga, Tota pulchra es, Ubi caritas, Sarah (from Women of Valor), There Will Be Rest, To Joy, Out of the Morning, Esto les digo, Prayer for the Gifts, Will There Really Be a "Morning"?, America, The Beautiful, Hail! The Christmas Day, Patapan, Love Came Down at Christmas, Candlelight Carol, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Every Christmas season, the wonderful music groups at Decorah, Iowa's Luther College, including Nordic Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Cantorei, Christmas Brass and Percussion Ensemble, Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Norsemen and Luther Ringers, present their massive "Christmas at Luther" festival, which tells the story of the Nativity in narration and music. The music is always magnificent and amazing, with the various groups performing individually and combined, and the story moving and timeless. Very hard to pick favorites, but Colin Marnach's solo on "Comfort Ye My People" from Handel's "Messiah," Cathedral Choir's a cappella "Arise, Shine!," Nordic Choir's "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones," Collegiate Chorale's "Weihnachten," Norsemen's "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow," and the final cut, Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Nation Shall Not Lift UP a Sword Against Nation (from Dona Nobis Pacem)" by the combined choirs, Symphony Orchestra and organ, will have to do. Every year "Christmas at Luther" outdoes itself in magnificence and beauty.

Songlist: Fanfare of the Kings, Narration, Child of Peace, Sinfonia (from Messiah), Comfort Ye My People (from Messiah), Processional: Angels, from the Realms of Glory, I Was Glad, Arise, Shine!, Candlelight Carol, As Dew in Aprille (from A Ceremony of Carols), This Little Babe (from A Ceremony of Carols), Carol of the Birds, Sing We Now of Christmas, I Saw Three Ships, Weihnachten, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, Winds Through the Olive Trees, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (from An Apostrophe to the Heavenly Hosts), Joy to the World, Gloria (from Lord Nelson Mass), Il est ne, Le divin Enfant, Ding! Dong! Merrily on High, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Before the Marvel of this Night, Farandole (from L'arlesienne, Suite No. 2), Silent Night, Narration, Wonderful Peace, Nation Shall Not Lift Up a Sword Against Nation (from Dona Nobis Pacem)

Sigrid Johnson conducts the Manitou Singers, comprised of 95 first-year female students at Northfield, Minnesota's St. Olaf College. The Singers have delighted audiences over the years with their beautiful and striking interpretations of treble choral literature. Included are Clausen's "Make a Joyful Noise," Rutter's "Candlelight Carol" and "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," "There Is No Rose of Such Virtue," Jackson Berkey's "Gloria," "Sanctus," "Make We Joy," "Sing A New Noel;" 17 songs in total. Orchestral accompaniment on most songs, but the beautiful voices of the young women are on center stage. Lovely and intricate music for Christmas!

Songlist: Make A Joyful Noise, Candlelight Carol, The Road Ahead, Gloria, There Is No Rose of Such Virtue, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, I Sing of a Maiden, Sleep, O Lovely One, Sanctus (from Missa Hosanna), Make We Joy, The Journey of Mary, Sing a New Noel, How Far is it to Bethlehem?, A la nanita nana, Lullaby (from Hodie), Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Building their excellent reputation since 1962, the Minnesota Boychoir applies their rich, youthful sound to 11 piano-accompanied Christmas standards. Favorites such as "Winter Wonderland," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," a rich a cappella arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships," "Riu, Riu, Chiu" and "Once in Royal David's City" are here, as well as more unexpected gifts: Keith Hampton's spiritual medley "True Light," Bob Chilcott's lovely "Mid-winter," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," Carolyn Jennings' "Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain" and the rhythmic gem, "African Carol." "Wonderland" is exactly that, a sweet gift to all from Minnesota's talented Boychoir.

Songlist: Winter Wonderland, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, I Saw Three Ships, True Light, Mid-Winter, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Candlelight Carol, African Noel, Climb To The Top Of The Highest Mountain, Once In A Royal David's City, Christmas Time is Here

The performances are uniformly excellent; Stephen Layton and his Polyphony vocal ensemble have shown a previous affinity for Rutter's work and this effort simply reaffirms their commitment to and love for this very special music. With the first notes of the joyous "Shepherd's Pipe Carol," we know that Christmas is coming and John Rutter is the man when it comes to Christmas music! And on "Music," we have 22 of Rutter's finest carols, lullabyes and other Christmas songs, sung by talented mixed ensemble Polyphony, conducted by Stephen Layton and accompanied on most tunes by the City of London Sinfonia. Favorites are the wistful, unaccompanied "There is a Flower," "Sans Day Carol," "I wonder as I wander," the lilting, joyful "Jesus Child," "The very best time of year," "Angel Tidings," "Christmas Lullabye," the exciting "Star Carol," "Carol of the Children," "Mary's Lullabye," "Angels' Carol" and the final cut, "Donkey Carol." A very special Christmas collection, sure to become some of your family's favorite music of the season! Beautiful, extensive liner notes, with a wonderful painting of the Three Wise Men on the cover. Outstanding.

Songlist: Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Nativity Carol, There is a Flower, Sans Day Carol, What Sweeter Music, I wonder as I wander, Jesus Child, Wild Wood Carol, The Very Best Time of Year, Away in a Manger, Angel Tidings, Christmas Lullaby, Dormi Jesu, Love came down at Christmas, Star Carol, Carol of the Children, Mary's Lullaby, Silent Night, Angels' Carol, Candlelight Carol, Second Amen, Donkey Carol

Founder and artistic director of the SCC Kris Mason directs her talented charges in a lovely, sumptuous holiday collection, "A Candlelight Christmas." Approximately 200 choristers are enrolled in the Chorus, which offers choral training on several different levels. These 16 live songs are performed by the Training Chorus ("O Come Little Children," "Once in Royal David's City," "Dormi, Dormi"); the Intermediate Chorus ("Little Red Bird," "Riu, Riu Chiu," "The Little Drummer Boy"); the Chamber Singers ("Hodie, Christus natus est," Clean as the Wind," "Rocking" and "Sussex Carol"), and the Combined Choruses ("Candlelight Carol," "Hallelu!," "The Lord Bless You and Keep You"). The other 13 songs are performed by the Performing Chorus. Some favorites are "A Ceremony of Carols," "Procession," "There is no Rose," "That yonge Child," "Balulalow," "This little Babe," "In Freezing Winter Night" and "Deo Gracias." What could be better than listening to the sweet voices of finely-trained young singers to celebrate the birth of the Christ child?

Songlist: A Ceremony of Carols, O Come, Little Children, Once in Royal David's City, Dormi, Dormi, Hodie, Christus natus est, Clean as the Wind, Rocking, Sussex Carol, Little Red Bird, Riu, Riu Chiu, The Little Drummer Boy, Christmas Lullaby, Song of the Crib, Candlelight Carol, Hallelu, The Lord Bless You and Keep You

"Making Seasons Bright!" is a sumptuous, joyous 2-disc collection from the 500 singers of the St. Louis Children's Choirs, conducted by Artistic Director Barbara Berner. From the advanced touring Concert Choir and Choristers to the beginning Children's Choir; including the intermediate Chorales, Music Makers, Young Men's Ensemble and Chamber Singers, each of these choirs has its own wonderful sound and personality. There are 44 songs here, many of them familiar standards like "Go Where I Send Thee, "Angels We Have Heard On High," "The Holly and The Ivy," "Silent Night, " "Carol of the Bells" and "Riu, Riu, Chiu," and some tunes we are enjoying for the first time, such as Noel Goemanne's "The Carol of the Dance," Allan Naplan's "Hine Ma Tov," "Douglas Mountain," "S'vivon," Hal Leonard's "Reindeer Jive," Michael Isaacson's "Light the Legend" and several others. It's nice to hear several Hanukkah tunes instead of one or maybe two. All the songs are at least lightly accompanied. "Making Seasons Bright" is a rich collection of holiday music from many different traditions, sung by choirs of beautifully-trained children-what could be better?

Songlist: Disc 1, The Carol of the Dance, This Little Babe, Go Where I Send Thee, There Is No Rose, Hallelujah, Glory Hallelujah, The Time of Snow, Angels We Have Heard on High, The Holly and the Ivy, Douglas Mountain, S'vivon, On Christmas Night, Carol of the Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Hine Ma Tov, Reindeer Jive, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Sweet Songs of Christmas, Jingle Bell Swing, The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, Light the Legend, Lullaby Carol - Premier, Silent Night, All is Well, Disc 2, Be We Merry, Lullay, Susanni, Welcome, Yule!, What Child, and more

Songlist: The Hills are Bare At Bethlehem, Epilogue: The Flower, Welcome All Wonders, What Wonderous Love, Let All Mortal Flesh, Alleluia, Make A Joyful Noise, Ave Maria, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, In Thee Is Gladness, Joy to the World, O Holy Child, Candlelight Carol, Make We Merry On This Fest, Bergamasea, Midnight Clear, Carols For the Choirs, Lullaby on Christmas Eve, A Spotless Rose, African Noel, And God Said: One Day Shall Dawn, Recessional: Love Divine, All Love Excelling, Beautiful Savior

"Child of Light" is a 2 CD set recorded at the 93rd Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, performed in December of 2004 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and it includes the Chapel Choir, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Orchestra, and Viking Chorus, performing as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. The CDs included narration and instrumental works, but the focus is on the voices and the beautiful traditional and original Christmas music. We particularly liked Graeme Morton's "In The Spendor" and "A Spotless Rose," Olaf Christiansen's "Light Everlasting," Alexandre Gretchaninoff's "Our Father" and "Only Begotten Son," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," Steven Amundson's "Angels' Dance," traditional hymns "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," Handl's "For Unto Us A Child Is Born," "Lo, How A Rose," "I Saw Three Ships," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Beautiful Savior" by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the music program and the event in 1912. 32 cuts, many symphonically accompanied. Powerful, beautiful, triumphant music from one of the oldest and finest Christmas music festivals in America.

Songlist: Adagio (Enigma Variations), In The Splendor, Light Everlasting, Narration, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, For unto us a Child Is Born, A Spotless Rose, Psalm 36, O nata lux De Lumine, Our Father, All My heart This Night Rejoices, Lo, How a Rose, Gospel, Joy To The World, All This Night, Only Only Begotten Son, The Three Kings, I Saw Three Ships, Candlelight Carol, O Little Town of Bethelehem, In The Bleak Midwinter, True Light, Angels' Dance, Carols From Scandinavia, Jeg Er Sa Glad, O Day Full of Grace, Child of Light, Narration, Lord of Light, Narration, and more

"Magnificent" and "Beautiful" are words that come to mind a lot when experiencing this DVD of Luther College's 27th annual "Christmas at Luther" festival, featuring over 600 student musicians in numerous choral and instrumental ensembles. This DVD features the breathtaking music, joyous robed choristers and glowing candlelight that makes "Christmas at Luther" so famous and beloved. The various groups, including Nordic Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Cantorei, Christmas Brass and Percussion Ensemble, Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Norsemen and Luther Ringers, perform individually and in combination to tell the timeless Christmas story in music and narration, from the marvelous "Angels, from the Realms of Glory" by the combined choirs, Symphony Orchestra and organ, to the a cappella solo on "Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow" by Norsemen's Timothy Olstad," you will be moved and touched by "Christmas at Luther!"

Songlist: Angels, from the Realms of Glory, I Was Glad, Comfort Ye My People (from Messiah), Candlelight Carol, Carol of the Birds, Sing We Now of Christmas, I Saw Three Ships, Winds Through the Olive Trees, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (from An Apostrophe to the Heavenly Hosts), Gloria (from Lord Nelson Mass), About Luther College, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Before the Marvel of this Night, Farandole (from L'arlesienne, Suite No. 2), Silent Night, Wonderful Peace, Nation Shall Not Lift Up a Sword Against Nation (from Dona Nobis Pacem)