The powerful fusion of Octavio Paz's Spanish text and Eric Whitacre's musical imagery has made 'Cloudburst a favorite with good high school choirs and beyond in the U.S. and abroad. Of timeless beauty, 'Waternight' speaks to singers and audiences of all generations, offering a high point in any concert program. A Boy and a Girl is a tender, delicate poem put to music by Eric Whitacre. It was commissioned by the 2002 California All-State Chorus. 'When David Heard' uses the text of David, lamenting the slaying of his son Absalom (II Samuel 18:33). It is a major work, with great dramatic moments describing the feeling of a father's loss.

Songlist: Cloudburst, Waternight, When David Heard

There are almost a hundred years between the dates of birth of Charles Ives, 1874, and Eric Whitacre, born 1970, the youngest composer in this Kaleidoscope of American choral music. If someone takes a look at the standard works in music literature, there is hardly any American choral music to be found. The American works that can be perceived as approaching the traditions of western music do not appear to interest the specialist world in Europe. The story in concert halls and churches, as well as in recording studios, is quite different, however. Through the founding of many choirs, gospels and spirituals are more popular than ever and, on the programs of classical a cappella choirs, the works of Morten Lauridsen or Samuel Barber have already become classics. The Amadeus Choir is an ensemble of some 50 singers and was founded by Karl-Friedrich Beringer, conductor of the Windsbacher Knabenchor since 1978.

Songlist: Agnus Dei, Four Motets, Lux Aurumque, Cloudburst, Water Night, My Song In The Night, Nocturnes, The Rose, Lord God, Thy Sea Is Mighty, Crossing The Bar, The Battle Of Jericho, I'm Gonna Sing, Elijah Rock, Variations On "America"

A big seller at the recent ACDA Convention, "Eric Whitacre" is a stunning collection of songs composed in the classical style of Monteverdi, Debussy and Prokofiev, but with inspiration from such groups as the Beatles, Sting, Queen, Madonna and Peter Gabriel. His choice of texts also reflects a broad range of poets - Octavio Paz, Ogden Nash, James Joyce, e.e. cummings and Emily Dickenson, religious poets being conspicuous in their absence, although "three songs of faith" are included here. The mixed-voice Brigham Young U. Singers do justice to Whitacre's difficult, eclectic, wonderful, soaring compositions. 12 songs, "Water Night," the three songs of faith: "I Will Wade Out," "Hope, Faith, Life, Love," "I Thank You God for most this Amazing Day," "Cloudburst", "Sleep," "I Hide Myself," "With a Lily in Your Hand," "Go Lovely Rose," "When David Heard," "Lux aurumque" and "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine." "Beautiful" is an inadequate word to describe Whitacre's work and the BYU Singers' interpretation of it. "Amazing" works much better! Recommended.

Songlist: Water Night, Three Songs of Faith:, I Will Wade Out, Hope, Faith, Life, Love, I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day, Cloudburst, Sleep, Three Flower Songs:, I Hide Myself, With A Lily In Your Hand, Go, Lovely Rose, When David Heard, Lux Aurumque, Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machines

This CD begins with a 3-part, eclectic, dramatic, rich-in-special-effects all-instrumental piece by Eric Whitacre, the "Ghost Train Trilogy," about a supernatural machine that roars through the western US, played by the Rutgers Wind Ensemble. Following that is "GAWD$ILLA EATS LAS VEGAS," a piece Whitacre wanted to write that was "really out there," that includes amazing, all-instrumental dramatic West Side Story and Gershwin samples. A sweet piece by the Rutgers Wind Ensemble follows, "Rak Hahatchala," featuring soprano Hila Plitmann. Then we have the University of Miami Chorale perform Whitacre's beautiful "little tree," (accompanied) with text by e.e. cummings, and two lovely Whitacre pieces by the BYU Singers, "Water Night" and "Cloudburst," both with text by Octavio Paz. These last two a cappella pieces are difficult, eclectic, soaring and lovely. Eric Whitacre is a surprising composer who takes many chances in his work, which is why listening to "The Music of Eric Whitacre" never fails to delight and challenge us.

Songlist: Ghost Train Trilogy, GawdSilla Eats Las Vegas!, Rak HaHatchala, Little Tree, Water Night, Cloudburst

For more than 80 years, The CC of Concordia (Lutheran) College, Moorhead, MN has continued to affirm its reputation as one of the nation's finest a cappella choirs. The choir has performed in nearly every major music hall, including Carnegie Hall. Conducted since 1986 by Rene Clausen , who also wrote the lovely "Ubi Caritas," the group perfectly performs 12 songs on the aptly-titled "Echoes," mostly sacred songs like "La Lumiere," Tavener's "Song for Athene" and "Village Wedding." This CD also features "Water Night," "Cloudburst" and "Little Birds" by popular composer Eric Whitacre as well as the gorgeous "O Magnum Mysterium" by Morten Lauridsen. Just beautiful!

Songlist: MLK, La Lumiere, Song for Athene, Village Wedding, Ubi Caritas, O Sacrum Convivium, Water Night, Cloudburst, Little Birds, O Magnum Mysterium, Noel Ayisyen (A Haitian Noel), The Mission: Our Father )

"Choral Spectrum II" is the second of an amazing series by this talented collegiate a cappella ensemble, a collection of 18 songs from the choir's 2005-2006 repertoire. Dr. Rodde directs his hand-picked mixed-voice singers through difficult classical Christian material like J.S. Bach's soaring "Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf," Pierre Villette's "Jesu, Dulcis Memoria," Felix Mendelssohn's "Im Advent, op 79" and "Weihnachten, op. 79," Roberto Caamano's "Psalm CXVI," William Hawley's "O Maria Maris Stella," Georg Schumann's "Und ob ich schon wanderte" and Vytautas Miskinis' "O Sacrum Convivium" with effortless ease and grace. Other winners are the Moses Hogan-arranged "I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart," the Craig Johnson-arranged "Motherless Child," Eric Whitacre's stunning "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine," and Mark Sirett's lovely "Balulalow." Each one of these 18 cuts is as beautiful and perfect as we could have imagined!

Songlist: Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf, Jesu, Dulcis Memoria, Im Advent, op. 79, Weihnachten, op. 79, Psalm CXVI, Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, Balulalow, I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart, Motherless Child, Rotala (from Neslegtais Gredzens), O Maria Maris Stella, Cloudburst, Canamus, amici, canamus, Und ob ich schon wanderte, Haec Dies, O Sacrum Convivium, McKay, With a Lily in Your Hand

A must-have for choral-aficionados everywhere! Perhaps the world's finest a cappella ensemble The King's Singers join forces with The Concordia Choir - one of the USA's best collegiate choirs - to perform works by by some of the best composers of the day Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and Morten Lauridsen. One would have high expectations of such a stellar combination and this recordings amply fills those expectations and more. Included here is The King's Singers' more considered interpretation of ""Lux Aurumque", alongside their witty version of Chilcott's settings of poems by cummings, Joyce, Larkin and Raleigh in "Even Such Is Time". A standout is The Concordia Choir's rendition of Whitacre's "Cloudburst" which thrills.

Songlist: Oculi Omnium, O Nata Lux, Lux Aurumque, Even such is time, Anyone lived in a pretty how town, A flower given to my daughter, Days, Even such is time, Cloudburst, High Flight, This Marriage, O Magnum Mysterium, Alone, The Stolen Child, A Thanksgiving

Lambert, Hendricks and Ross : Everybody's Boppin'   

To listen to this trio reveals what a great influence this group has been on so many artists, in terms of choice of material and style. The most sophisticated and hip vocal treatments - Hendricks was a foremost developer of the vocalese technique - they change moods on a dime and are impossible to predict. Ross takes the lead on "Midnight Indigo," a sultry trickle of sweat on the back of the neck. "Moanin'" mixes up roadhouse blues with the sweetest of refrains. "Summertime" is just on the inside of a discordant wail, an eerie lament. Also included: "Cloudburst" and "Centerpiece."

Songlist: Charleston Alley, Moanin', Twisted, Bijou, Cloudburst, Centerpiece, Gimme That WIne, Stemonette, Summertime, Everbody's Boppin', Home Cookin', Blue, Come On Home, Cottontail, Midnight Indigo

The first album that launched their career, the trio of Jon Hendricks, Dave Lambert and the English Annie Ross pioneered the use of voices patterned on instrumental parts. The daring of this group creates a giddy excitement, which can be heard on tracks such as "It's Sand, Man," whereby the three voices (accompanied by piano, bass and drums) gain altitude in a series of ascending patterns that thrill the senses. Though Ross in particular possesses a fine voice, the attraction is not in the prettiness of the sound as much as the interplay of the voices, and the utter originality of their interpretations. Every song is enchanting.

Songlist: Everyday, It's Sand, Man!, Two For the Blues, One O'Clock Jump, Little Pony, Down for Double, Fiesta in Blue, Down for the Count, Blues Backstage, Avenue C, Four Brothers, Cloudburst, Standin' On The Corner

Of course, Lambert Hendricks and Ross are no longer new, though they were the epitome of cool jazz in the 1950's. This re-issued double CD set contains a career retrospective - 39 songs worth, though not everything that was on the (unfortunately) discontinued "Twisted" CD - and is a fabulous value. The three personalities of Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and the British Annie Ross complimented and balanced each other uniquely, pushing the jazz envelope, while always retaining their warmth and sensuality. Accompanied by a rhythm combo, and sometimes horns, songs such as "Caravan," "Moanin'" and "Centerpiece" are just as vital now as they ever were. Highly recommended.

Songlist: Disc 1:, Charleston Alley, Moanin', Twisted, Bijou, Cloudburst, Canterpiece, Gimme That Wine, Sermonette, Mummertime, Everybody's Boppin', Disc 2:, Cottontail, All Too Soon, Happy Anatomy, Rocks in my Bed, Main Stem, I Don't Know What Kind of Blues I've Got, Things Ain't What They Used to Be, Midnight Indigo, What Am I Here For?, In a Mellow Tone, Caravan, Disc 3:, Come On Home, The New A B C, Farmer's Market, Cookin' at the Continental, With Malice Toward Nono, Hi-Fly, and more

The best things in life are worth waiting for! After several delays the much anticipated new release from one of the top jazz vocal groups in the world is finally available and we couldn't be happier. Equally masterful at tight harmonies and individual solo flights vocalists Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader (who also blows a mean tenor sax) and Kim Nazarian have delivered their most swinging outing to date. All but one of the songs were arranged by the incredibly talented Meader whose fresh spin on these Swing Era classics are a joy to listen to. The vocals are also very strong, especially Kinhan and Kim, who must be some of the jazziest, sexiest female singers around. Accompanied mostly by a swinging big band the final song "I'll Be Seeing You", however, is a pure a cappella gem.

Songlist: Sing, Sing, Sing, I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me, Smack Dab in the Middle, Early Autumn, Bli Blip, Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Save Your Love For Me, Orange Colored Sky, Hallelujah, I Love Her So, Cloudburst, Stardust, Don't Be that Way, In a Mellow Tone, I'll Be Seeing You

The University of Mississippi Department of Music offers a unique opportunity to experience Eric Whitacre's music as he conducts the University of Mississippi Concert Singers, Men's Glee, Women's Glee, University Chorus, and Symphonic Band in cooperation with rehearsal conductors Bill DeJournett, Debra Spurgeon, and Donald Trott. This project was the result of a campus visit in April 2007 with Eric Whitacre including rehearsal time, a recording session, Q&A with students, and culminating in a concert for the public. This recording is a mixture of live and recording session performances.

Songlist: With a Lily in Your Hand, This Marriage, Sleep, Animal Crackers, Lux Aurumque, She Weeps Over Rahoon, Ghost Train, Cloudburst, Five Hebrew Love Songs

This CD features a cappella works of American composers, including two pieces from luminary contemporary composer Eric Whitacre, a commission written for the Pacific Chorale by Frank Ticheli, and selections by Pacific Chorale's Artistic Director, John Alexander.

Songlist: There Will be Rest, Nocturne, The Cloths of Heaven, To Be Sung on the Water, Water Night, Cloudburst, Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, This Time of Kites:, -I. Prelude, -II. The Day Burns Bright, -III. Epilogue

At the age of only 35, Eric Whitacre has already gained a reputation in the United States that many composers strive for a lifetime to achieve. The American Record Guide named his first recording one of the top ten classical albums in 1997, and the Los Angeles Times described his music as having 'electric, chilling harmonies; works of unearthly beauty and imagination'. His Water Night (included on this new recording) has become one of the most popular choral works of the last decade, and is one of the top-selling choral publications of all time. Whitacre's published works have sold well over 350,000 copies worldwide. And who better to represent an innovative young choral composer than Stephen Layton and Polyphony, award-winning exponents of twentieth-century choral music? Under Layton's directorship, Polyphony handles Whitacre's evocative and soulful music with consummate artistry; from the quiet intensity of Sleep to the breathtaking exuberance of With a lily in your hand, by way of the tender innocence of This Marriage (one of three premiere recordings on the disc), this new recording is a stunning showcase both for an up-and-coming young composer and also for the awesome talents of one of the UK's leading choirs.

Songlist: I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day, I Hide Myself, Sleep, I Will Wade Out, Go, Lovely Rose, When David Heard, Hope, Faith, Life, Love, Cloudburst, With A Lily In Your Hand, This Marriage, Water Night, A Boy And a Girl, Her Sacred Spirit Soars, Lux Aurumque

OK, so they didn't spend big bucks on the cover art. The bottom line is, Sixth Wave is great! First a sweet cover of the 5th Dimension's "Grazin' in the Grass." Listen to the scat singing on "Gimme That Wine," and you'll wonder why we didn't classify SW under Jazz (we're still on the fence on that one). Then we're treated to the soaring melodies of "Icarus," our favorite cut. Oingo Boingo's "Stay" will have you boogying to the rock-solid vocal percussion. Then a moody, Vox-One-ish "Vincent" features a stellar lead by soprano Cindy Bourquin. Boogie time again with "Pick Up the Pieces," with guest vocal percussionist vitamin g, and great scat by baritone Gary Rosen. 4 Beatles tunes: A jazzy "Blackbird" flies circles around everyone else who ever recorded the song. You'll see "Baby You Can Drive My Car," "Tell Me Why" and "Yesterday" in a whole new light. We loved "Cloudburst," the final tune. Not surprisingly they won the LA regional, and you can see them at the Finals May 5th. Fresh, surprising-you'll love this CD!

Songlist: Grazin' in the Grass, Gimme That Wine, IcarusGary Rosen, StayElin Carlson, Vincent, Pick Up the Pieces, Taki Rari, Blackbird, You Can't Use My Car, Tell Me Why, Yesterday, Cloudburst

In our contemporary, frenetic society, the innate spirituality of our common existence is all-too-often overlooked. This is Thy Hour, O Soulfocuses on that spirituality with modern musical settings of texts both contemporary and ancient, Western and Eastern, sacred and secular, theological and philosophical. Called by critic Lindsay Koob a "rising star in the national choral scene," Taylor's choirs have been described as sounding "more musical than would seem possible," (Charleston Post and Courier) and have received numerous plaudits from critics and choral specialists for their technical proficiency, musicalty and beautiful sound production.

Songlist: On Meditation, A Clear Midnight, Magnificat, Nunc dimittis, The Last Invocation, The Unknown Region, To All, To Each, Festival Te Deum, Sing Ye Praises to Our King, Salmo 150, Water Night, Cloudburst, Prayer to the Father of Heaven, Ave Maria

This premiere recording documents the University of Utah Singers debut year and was recorded in Libby Gardner Concert Hall and the Assembly Hall at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. A celebration of praise, this album contains a variety of hymns, anthems and folk music from many religious and cultural traditions. Features choral music of Eric Whitacre, Gerald Finzi, Daniel Gawthrop, Rene Clausen, Moses Hogan, and more.

Songlist: My Spirit Sang All Day, The Waking, Pseudo-Yoik, Sing a Mighty Song, Prayer of St. Francis, A Prayer of the Middle Ages, Avinu Malkeinu, Mundi Renovatio, I Thank You God for Most this Amazing Day, Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, Cloudburst, Tonight Eternity Alone, My Song in the Night, Epitaph for Moonlight, Home on the Range, Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me, Peace Like a River, How Can I Keep from Singing, I Can Tell the World