'Simply Sung' is a collection of a cappella arrangements for classroom use through which young singers can develop the ability to maintain a vocal part in a texture of two or more voices. Suitable for the classroom and for beginning treble choirs. It is a supplement to "Music for Children". The author is a Professor of Music at the Indiana University School of Music where she teaches music education courses and directs a vocal ensemble.

Songlist: Wade in the Water, My Good Old Man, Kol Dodi, There's a little wheel a-turnin' in my heart, Dodi Li, Shoo Fly, Shenandoah, The Ole Ark's a-moverin', Shine like a Star in the Morning, The Boll Weevil

"Looking Back and Looking Up" is a sumptuous, 2-CD collection by the three talented branches of the New Orleans Children's Chorus, the Youth Chorale, Chamber Ensemble and Concert Chorus, all directed by Cheryl Dupont, with piano accompaniment by Kevin Caparotta. The Chorus is delighted to celebrate their 25th season, in spite of a 4-month hiatus due to Hurricane Katrina. There are 52 selections here on the two discs, impressive not only for the number, but for the difficulty and maturity of the pieces and the quality of the performances by this veteran Chorus. Attempting to choose favorites is not easy, for instance, disk one begins with David Elliot's joyous "When I Sing," Mozart's wonderful "Laudate Dominum," and Leslie/Calvert's heartstring-tugging "Song for the Mira;" each of these is a stone winner. We absolutely enjoyed Andre Thomas' "Rockin' Jerusalem," Bela Bartok's "Don't Leave Me," Imant Raminsh's "Song of the Stars," John Rutter's "Gaelic Blessing," Jule Styne's "Never, Never Land" and Z. Randall Stroope's "Inscription of Hope." On disk 2, we find S. Hatfield's "Nkose Sikeleli/Freedom is Coming," Rupert Lang's "Spirit of the Child," Ella Fitzgerald's "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," Randall Thompson's "A Girl's Garden," Schubert's "Lebenslust," Valerie Shields' "Eliyahu Hanavi," Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven" and pianist Caparotta's "May the Road Rise to Meet You." A beautiful, sublime collection from this outstanding American children's chorus!

Songlist: When I Sing, Laudate Dominum, Song for the Mira, Kyrie from Missa Brevis, Pie Jesu from Requiem, Rockin' Jerusalem, Lift Thine Eyes, Don't Leave Me, O Aula Nobilis, Cantate Domino, Good Ale, Hiney Ma Tov, Song of the Stars, Old McDoodle, Tantum Ergo, Winter Under Snow is Weary, My Heart's Friend, Noel Des Enfants, The Gift to be Simple, Gaelic Blessing, Winter Changes, Never, Never Land, Cape Breton Lullaby, When I Set Out for Lyoness, Inscription of Hope, Do I Not Love Thee, Neighbor's Chorus, The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Nkose Sikeleli/Freedom is Coming, Spirit of the Child, and more

Voiceworks is a magnificent resource for promoting good singing in pre-schools, schools, community choirs, adult choirs and everywhere that people sing. The Voiceworks books (complete with CDs) are packed with songs and ideas which are practical, motivating, and accessible. Voiceworks 2 is a complete guide and support for anyone who encourages or teaches other people to sing well. Singing is learned behaviour, and Voiceworks 2 aims to help singers of all ages and experience improve their capability, to develop some techniques, and get pleasure from using their voices. It is claimed that the better people feel about their voices, the better they feel about themselves, so this book is more influential than just a singing book. The music is eclectic, chosen for its accessibility, and can be used progressively as laid out in the book to build confidence and develop vocal technique, or as a 'dip in' resource to suit particular needs.

Songlist: Section I: Warm Ups And Rounds, Boom Chicka Boom, Eighteen Hammers Standin', Everywhere We Go, Chicka Hanka, Sarana, Sonagwaza, Banuwa, Banaha, Janie Mama, Freedom Train, Sto Me, Yenamanoa, Oliver Cromwell, The Hand Jive, Three Way Canon Blues, Jazz Gloria, Hashivenu, Alleluia, Cantate Domino, There Was a Young Woman of Ryde, She Died, She Did!, There's a Girl that I Love, Section II: Improvising and Inventing, Section III: Spirituals and Gospel Songs, Zion me wan' go Home, Trampin', Go Down Moses, I Want to be Ready, Shoeshone Love Song, and more

VOENA is a children's choir unique to the United States: children as young as six and as old as 18, multicultural in their backgrounds, living and growing up in America, blending their most natural birth given voices." This is how Annabelle Cruz, Director, describes the choir she has brought together with the hope that they become not just a choir but a family...a VOENA family. The 56-strong mixed choir bring us 26 joyous songs, beginning with their own song, "Voena Story," the marvelous "Prayer of the Children," an original with lively percussion by the Director, "Holy Spirit, Come" (she also wrote the excellent "Scat Play," "Clap Your Hands," and "One Light, One Voice," as well as arranging and writing lyrics for other tunes) and continuing with folk songs and spirituals from the Bantu African, Gaelic, Russian, Filipino, Korean, Ladino, 16th century Spanish, Eastern European Jewish, South African, African American, Hebrew, Japanese, 17th Century German, Guam and Old English traditions. Listening to this fun, spirited stuff gives you hope and inspiration--just what the doctor ordered these days! Some light percussion. Recommended.

Songlist: Prayer of the Children, Holy Spirit, Mede Brebre, Fiona's Lullaby, Birch Tree, O Sifuni Mungu, Arirang, Los Biblicos, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Haida Haida, Scat Play, Siyahamba, Nsa Ni O, Wade in the Water, We Have Come to Tell a Story, Hine Ma Tov, Et Dodim, Dodi Li, Lullaby, German Canon, Bebe, Si Jose, Cuckoo Canon, Clap Yo' Hands, One Light, One Voice

Benicia, CA's internationally acclaimed children's ensemble Voena (Voices of Eve 'n' Angels) brings us their fourth excellent CD, "Voices of Nations." These 6 to 18-year-olds have an eclectic repertoire that includes originals and arrangements of folk music from all over the world, classical, pop and sacred music, sung in more than 20 different languages. Some favorites on this joyous collection are "Sumbaie," the Macedonian folk song "Prsten Mi Padna, " the West African "Songs From Gahu," the African gem "Uyai Mose," the African American Spiritual "Wade in the Water," the rhymic South African tune "Ipharadisi," a reprise of the French song "Vois Sur Ton Chemin," a wonderful solo on the Disney standard "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Prayer of the Children," the Hebrew folk tune "Dodi Li," the ancient Persian "Massom Massom" and Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata." Some light accompaniment and non-vocal percussion. "Voices" is another beautiful collection from talented, spirited Voena.

Songlist: Voena Story, Hotari Koi, Sumbaie, Prsten Mi Padna, Rhythm Of The Rain, Dark Of The Moon, Songs From Gahu, Uyai Mose, Wade In The Water, Ipharadisi, Wichita Stick Game, A Child Has Come, Vois Sur Ton Chemin, Einini, When You Wish Upon A Star, Prayer Of The Children, Et Dodim, Dodi Li, Massom Massom, Pata Pata