The complete vocal score of Handel's Messiah plus forty traditional carols of Christmas. This authoritative volume presents the most widely used Messiah vocal score. Here you will find all of the choruses and solos with complete piano reduction of Handel's magnificent orchestra. This book also includes an exquisite selection of Christmas carols in traditional four-part arrangements. As a comprehensive treasure of the word's most cherished Christmas music, Messiah Sing and Caroling is a valuable addition to every music library. So whether you are going out to a "Messiah Singalong," enjoying a Christmas concert, or simply caroling with friends, you will get a lifetime of holiday pleasure from this handy volume.

Songlist: The Messiah, Angels From The Realms of Glory, Angels We Have Heard on High, Away In a Manger, As With Gladness, Men of Old, Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, Deck The Hall, The First Noel, Glad Christmas Bells, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Good King Wencelas, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, The Happy Christmas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Here We Come A-Waissailing, The Holly and The Ivy, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, I Saw Three Ships, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Jingle Bells, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Joy To The World, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, O Christmas Tree, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and more

The Essential Carol Singer provides the solution to the endless problem of too many books and not enough hands. It includes thirty of the most popular carols in one book, all SATB, unaccompanied, with no divisi. This pocket-sized, lightweight volume is easy to read and the short score layout allows for optional accompaniment if required. All the carols are arranged in alphabetical order for ease of use, with one carol per page. Offering simple arrangements in practical keys, The Essential Carol Singer is every singer's companion for Christmas. Selected and edited by former long-time Swingle Singer Ben Parry.

Songlist: Angels From The Realms Of Glory, Away In A Manger, Boar's Head Carol, Deck The Hall With Boughs Of Holly, Ding! Dong! Merrily On High, The First Nowell, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Here We Come A-Wassiling, The Holly And The Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, In The Bleak Midwinter, Infant Holy, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Jingle Bells, Joy The World, Now The Holly Bears A Berry, O Christmas Tree, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, On Christmas Night All Christians Sing, Once In Royal David's City, Sans Day Carol, See, Amid The Winter's Snow, Silent Night, Sussex Carol, Unto Us Is Born A Child, We Three Kings Of Orient Point Are, and more

From majestically triumphant to quietly worshipful, Gloria Deo weaves rich carol arrangements with scripture lessons for a moving Christmas worship experience. This appealing and accessible work will heighten your church and community's celebration of the Incarnation with a blend of classic Christmas favorites and new texts Available separately: SATB, Instrumental Pak-Full Orchestra (score and parts for Flute, Oboe, Trumpet 1 & 2, Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Violin 1 & 2, Viola, Cello, String Bass and Percussion), Instrumental Pak-Chamber Orchestra (score and parts for Flute, Oboe, Violin 1 & 2, Viola, Cello, String Bass and Percussion), Preview CD, ChoirTrax CD, CD 10-Pak and Preview Pak. Performance Length: Approx. 40 minutes

Songlist: Joy To The World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel, The Holly And The Ivy, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, As Lately We Watched, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Sing We Now Of Christmas, Gloria Deo, I Will Bless The Faithful, Long Time Ago In Bethlehem, Gloria Deo (Reprise), Once In Royal David's City, Still, Still, Still, Of The Father's Love Begotten, The Rocking Carol

Every Christmas Eve for decades, the world-renowned Choir of King's College Chapel, Cambridge has broadcast the Festival o Nine Lessons and Carols worldwide on BBC Radio (Carols from King's is also televised by the BBC every Christmas annually). It never fails to inspire and appeal by bringing together readings from the Christmas story with the singing of traditional carols in which all may join: classic Christmas arrangements for the choir and exciting newly-composed anthems that often become choral classics. For countless people the broadcast of Nine Lessons and Carols is a major part of the Christmas experience. 

Now the King's College Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury, has created this album of forty-six of the most enduring choral pieces from the Festivals. Thirteen are published here for the first time, ten were specially commissioned for King's and seven are carols for choir and congregation. Wide ranging in sources, this collection includes arrangements by King's directors of music David Wilcocks, Philip Ledger and Stephen Cleobury and leading contemporary composers such as Richard Rodney Bennett, Bob Chilcott, Jonathan Dove, John Joubert, Roxanna Panufnik, Arvo Part, John Rutter, Peter Sculthorpe, John Tavener, and Judith Weir.

Christmas at King's includes a preface by Stephen Cleobury and a useful appendix of readings with relevant repertoire from the collection for those choirs who want to present their own Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Songlist: Once In Royal David's City, A Great and Mighty Wonder, A Tender Shoot, A Virgin Most Pure, Adam Lay Ybounden, Alleluya, A New Work Is Come On Hand, Away In A Manger, Be Merry, Benedicamus Domino, The Birthday of Thy King, Bogoroditsye Dyevo, Christo Paremus Cantica, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, I Wonder As I Wander, I Sing Of A Maiden, Illuminare, Jerusalem, In Wintertime, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, The Infant King, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, The Lamb, Morning Song For The Christ Child, Myn Lyking, No Small Wonder, Love Came Down At Christmas, Noel nouvelet, Nowel, and more

Noel 2 is an exciting collection of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany music for mixed voice choirs, from the easy to learn to the more challenging and unconventional. The contents range from the Renaissance to the present: from Bach and Sweelinck, familiar settings of traditional and lesser known carols through the ages to Howells and Leighton and works by today's composers include Richard Rodney Bennett, Eric Whitacre, John Tavener, Tarik O'Regan and Richard Allain. Among the 43 anthems, mixed voice choirs of all levels will find new arrangements of favorite carols, hymns with new descants, as well as stimulating original works for the Christmas season.

Songlist: Ubers Gebirg Maria Geht, Adam Lay Y Bounden, Angelus ad Virginem, Away In A Manger, Bethlehem Down, Coventry Carol, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, Gallery Carol, Gaudete!, Gloria, Dei Sir Gesungen, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Hodie Christus Natus Est, I Wonder As I Wander, I Wonder As I Wander, In Dulci Jubilo, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, Lasset Uns Frohlocken, Long, Long Ago, Love Came Down At Christmas, Lullay My Liking, Lux Aurumque, 'O' Antiphon, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, O Jesulein, Of A Rose, Once In Royal David's City, Puer Nobis, Resonet In Laudibus, and more

Capturing the varied moods and colors of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, this cantata from John Leavitt is delightful! Masterfully written and highly singable, the selection of carols is pure Christmas joy. Leavitt's inimitable stamp is on each arrangement creating a work rich in Christmas traditions with an artistic touch. Available: SATB, Instrumental Pak, ChoirTrax CD.

Songlist: O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Away In A Manger, Only Begotten, Word Of God Eternal, Coventry Carol, As With Gladness Men Of Old, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Ding Dong! Merrily On High!, Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light, Once In Royal David's City, O How Joyfully

This selection of carols, hymns and rounds has been arranged with particular care for effectiveness in performance, combined with simplicity of harmony, texture and compass. The mixture of old favourites and comparatively little-known items, both sacred and secular, makes the book suitable for a great variety of and users, and it is assured to meet a need wherever people sing in harmony at Christmas time. Compiled and arranged by Kenneth Simpson.

Songlist: A Little Child ther is born, All my heart this night rejoices, Angels from the realms of glory, As I was watched by my sheep, As lately we watched, Away in a manger, Bells are ringing, Cradled the ox and ass between, Deck the halls, Ding dong, ding dong, ring the bells, From highest heaven I come, God rest you merry gentlemen, Good King Wenselas, Hark! The hearald angels sing, He is born, the heavenly child, He smiles within his cradle, Here's the road to Bethlehem, Holy Babe, as Lord we hail, I saw three shipos, In dulci jubilo, In the golden lands afar, Jesus, good above all other, Joseph dearest, Joseph mine, Lord Jesus has a garden, Lully, Lully, O come all ye faithful, O'er her child the Virgin weeps, On the day was born Christ Jesus, Once in Royal David's city, Past three o'clock, and more

This--the performers' edition of the massive New Oxford Book of Carols--is a selection of 120 carols in 173 different settings. The music, which is divided into composed carols and traditional carols, covers nine centuries of Christmas music from around the world. Popular and unknown material is included: the settings are straightforward and each carol is accompanied by a note on historical background. The emphasis is on the fresh approach to the carol, and the editors have cleared away the accretions of years to recapture the original spirit and vigor of the music. Selections from the book are featured on EMI Classic's recordings "The Carol Album," "The Christmas Album," and "Carol Album 2," performed by the Taverner Consort, Choir, and Players under the direction of Andrew Parrott.

Songlist: From Lands that See the Sun Arise, Gabriel, fram Heven King, Dies est Leticie, In Hoc Anni Sirculo, Verbum Patris Umanatur, O Come O Come Emmanuel, He Who Made the Earth so Fair, Of the Father's Heart Begotten, On this Day Earth Shall Ring, Unto Us is Born a Son, Nova! Nova!, Hayl Mary Ful of Grace, Ther is no Rose of Swych Aryse, Nowel: Owt of your Slepe Aryse, Thys Endere Nyghth I Saw a Syghth, Lully Lulla thow Little Tyne Child, Come Love we God, Swete was the Song the Virgine Soong, Thus Angels Sung, While Shepherds Watched Thier Flocks By, O Remember Adam's Fall, Riu Riu Chiu, Verbum Caro factum est, Gaudete!, Lo! born is our Emmanuel, A Boy is Born in Bethlehem, Let the Voice of Praise Resound, Joseph, Dearest Joseph Mine, Shepherds Sang Thier Praises O'er Him, Good Christian Men, Rejoice!, and more

A heavenly host of great music for men's voices in the Advent and Christmas season. This collection from Marty Parks has established a treasured place in music ministry. The essence of the Christmas story is captured in a variety of styles. Collection includes service openers, anthems, calls to prayer, and benedictions.

Songlist: Amen, Child of Bethlehem, Christmas Presence, How Great Our Joy!, Jesus, the Light of the World, Jesus, the Son of God, Joyfully We Sing, Mary Had A Baby, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Lord, Most Holy, Once In Royal David's City, Prince of Peace, We Have Seen His Star

Centering on the beloved carol, The First Noel, Born Is the King consists of new arrangements of familiar songs, some new melodies for popular carol texts, and a worship segment that includes some best-loved songs of praise and worship. The warm, inviting narration is scripturally based with up-to-date relevance. To hear RealAudio soundbytes from this work, click on audio previews.

Songlist: The First Noel, Once in Royal David's City, When Christ Was Born on Earth, As Lately We Watched, Let Us Adore Him, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Praise to the King

This first collection of five carols samples the vast spectrum of festive musical fare that still lies at the heart of the English Christmas tradition. The name SAM-Klang takes the three voice parts from the arrangements -- Soprano, Alto and Men -- and combines it with the Scandinavian and German words for sound to create the portmanteau word sound together or harmony. The series offers basic and advanced choral repertoire. In addition to new repertoire and new arrangements, you will also find essential parts of the classical German, Scandinavian, French and English SATB repertoire, carefully and considerately reworked for SAM. The arrangements retain the characteristic features of the original movements and have almost the same richness of timbre, resulting in works which sound nearly unchanged to an audience. Piano reductions of all choral movements facilitate rehearsal preparation. The arrangements offer development opportunities for all voice sections, bringing new life and new quality to SAM choir work. SAM-Klang enables youth choirs to gain access to classical choral literature and ensures that mixed choirs who face challenges in finding singers for all male voice parts continue to have access to well-loved repertoire.

Songlist: O Little Town Of Bethlehem, I Saw Three Ships, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Adeste Fideles, Once In Royal David's City, Ding Dong Merrily On High!

The volumes of Carols For Choirs have established themselves as the quintessential carol books for carol singimng around the world. Each volume presents a wide range of carols to suit every occasion, from well-known tunes superbly arranged to the best original compositions. 50 carols for mixed choir, including full text of the traditional Nine Lessons printed as an Appendix.

Songlist: A Boy Was Born, A Christmas Carol, A Great And Mighty Wonder, A Merry Christmas, A Virgin Most Pure, Adeste Fideles, All Men Draw Near, And There Were Shepards, Angels From The Realms Of Glory, As With Gladness Men Of Old, Away In A Manager, Blessed Be That Maid Mary, Blessed Son Of God, Boar's Head Carol, Crol, With Lullaby, Coventry Carol, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, The First Noel, Gallery Carol, Girls And Boys, Leave Your Toys, Gloucestershire Wassail, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, A Great And Mighty Wonder, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Holly And The Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, In Dulci Jubilo, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, and more

The Cornish folk tune 'The Holy Bears a Berry,' alternates between men and women's voices. Solo sections may be sung by small groups. This arrangement is best for church, community, or school choirs. 'Ding Dong! Merrily on High' is a vigorous 8 part a cappella piece with constant vocal imitation of bells. Elaborate counterpoint and canonic devices. Completely diatonic, harmonically and melodically conservative. Rhythmic ostinatos give non-stop energy leading to dazzling finish. 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo' begins and ends with a rhythmic and exciting statement of the Gloria text. The middle section is tranquil and effectively emotes the feeling of peace that is being presented in the text. The final statement is one of peace. Challenging, but well worth the work. Van's arrangement of 'Once in Royal David's City.' is an introspective and reflective setting of this Christmas standard. The composer includes many of the elements that have become associated with this hymn. This arrangement begins with either a treble solo, or with all sopranos, it then broadens into a rich setting of the following stanzas, and ends with a hushed treatment of the text "And our eyes at last shall see him." May be used in worship or concerts. 'Angels We have Heard on High' is a beautiful and energetic arrangement that is appropriate for both worship and concert use. The piece is written in a unique way that incorporates vocal accompaniments that are shared between men's and women's voices. Includes soaring descants throughout. Composed in the Australian winter of 2005, 'Ave Maria' was written by Jacobs in response to the death of a close friend's mother. Her passion for Renaissance music influenced many aspects of the piece, particularly text, and the decision to set it for two a cappella choirs.

Songlist: Holly Bears a Berry, The, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, Gloria in excelsis Deo, Once in Royal David's City, Angels We Have Heard on High, Ave Maria

164 easy arrangements with chords of carols from around the world, complete with lyrics in the original language as well as English. This special collection also includes historical background information on the observance of Christmas through the years and notes about specific carols to give added understanding. Songs are included from England, Italy, Latin America, Spain, Scandinavia, Poland, Czech Republic, and more.

Songlist: Christmas and Its Songs, ENGLISH CAROLS, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Good Christian Men, Rejoice, The Seven Joys of Mary, This Endris Night, Good King Wenceslas, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Coventry Carol, When Christ Was Born of Mary Free, The Holly and the Ivy, The Friendly Beasts, The First Nowell, Joy to the World, What Child is This? (Greensleeves), While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, Gloucestershire wassail, The Boar's Head Carol, Wassail Song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol), Blessed Be that Maid Marie, A Virgin Unspotted, Once in Royal David's City, Sleep, Holy Babe, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, As with Gladness Men of Old, Angels From the Realms of Glory, Masters in this Hall, I Saw Three Ships, and more

Innovative jazz arrangements of six carols originally created for a service of Jazz Carols at St Martin in the Fields, London by Will Todd. Rich harmonies serve to bring new expression to familiar Christmas material which is written for SATB voices and piano, with scope for optional congregational singing.

Songlist: Three Jazz Carols, Once in Royal David's City, Away In a Manger, Three More Jazz Carols, In the Bleak Midwinter, Personent Hodie, Silent Night, We Three Kings

This outstanding collection of 90 carols offers a balanced mixture of accompanied and unaccompanied items which will appeal immediately to conductors, singers and audiences alike. Mostly for mixed voices, it includes 16 carols and a further 39 arrangements published here for the first time. From Gabrielli to Judith Weir, medieval melodies to spirituals, the range of styles covers a wide spectrum of tastes. This major issue of carols is edited by William Llewellyn, a well established figure in the world of choral music.

Songlist: A Babe Is Born, A Christmas Antiphon, A Fanfare For Christmas, A Gallery Carol, A Somerset Carol, Adam Lay Ybounden, Adests Fideles, All And Some, As Joseph Was A-walking, Away In A Manger, Balulalow, Canon For Three Choirs, Carol Of The Christ-child, Christmas Is Coming, Coventry Carol, Dawn Carol, De Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Ding-dong, Ding, Donkey Plod And Mary Ride, El Cant Des Ocells, El Noi De La Mare, Fum, Fum, Fum, Gabriel's Message, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, How Soft, Upon The Ev'ning Air, Huron Carol, Hush You, My Baby, I Saw Three Ships, and more

The Christmas Soloist contains nine bright, new arrangements of seasonal favorites for medium high or medium low voice and piano. Titles: Ding Dong! Merrily on High * God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen * Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow * and more.

Songlist: A Bach Merry Christmas, A-Caroling We Go!, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, El Desembre Congelat (Frozen December), El Noi de la Mare (The Son of Mary), The Gift, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Once in Royal David's City, Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow!, What Child Is This?, A Bach Merry Christmas, A-Caroling We Go!, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, El Desembre Congelat (Frozen December), El Noi de la Mare (The Son of Mary), The Gift, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Once in Royal David's City, Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow!, What Child Is This?, A Bach Merry Christmas, A-Caroling We Go!, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, El Desembre Congelat (Frozen December), El Noi de la Mare (The Son of Mary), The Gift, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Once in Royal David's City, Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow!, What Child Is This?

The Christmas Soloist contains nine bright, new arrangements of seasonal favorites for medium high or medium low voice and piano. Titles: Ding Dong! Merrily on High * God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen * Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow * and more.

Songlist: A Bach Merry Christmas, A-Caroling We Go!, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, El Desembre Congelat (Frozen December), El Noi de la Mare (The Son of Mary), The Gift, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Once in Royal David's City, Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow!, What Child Is This?

Fresh arrangements for first and second year voice students, with intermediate level piano parts. Beyond educational use, it goes without saying that carols make excellent church solos.

Songlist: Away in a Manger, Coventry Carol, The First Noel, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, He Is Born, In the Bleak Midwinter, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, It Came upon the Midnight Clear, Joseph, Dearest Joseph Mine, O Come, Little Children, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Once in Royal David's City, Silent Night, Still, Still, Still, Sussex Carol

Lovely, fresh, artistic arrangements that truly make art songs of Christmas carols. Accompaniment CD includes complete performances as well as accompaniments. Includes eight solos and two duets, with four of the carols requiring either flute or violin obbligato.

Songlist: Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella, Deck The Hall, The First Noel, The Holly And The Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Once In Royal David's City, Wexford Carol

Lovely, fresh, artistic arrangements that truly make art songs of Christmas carols. Accompaniment CD includes complete performances as well as accompaniments. Includes eight solos and two duets, with four of the carols requiring either flute or violin obbligato.

Songlist: Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella, Deck The Hall, The First Noel, The Holly And The Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Once In Royal David's City, Wexford Carol

These fresh arrangements were designed especially for the needs of the progressing student in traditional/classical voice study.

Songlist: Away In Manger, Coventry Carol, The First Noel, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, He Is Born, In The Bleak Midwinter, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, It Came Across a Midnight Clear, Joseph, Dearest Joseph Mine, O Come, Little Children, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Once In Royal David's City, Silent Night, Still, Still, Still, Sussex Carol

his beautiful new volume in The Vocal Library is a large resource for classical singers of 53 songs for holiday services and events, designed for a lifetime of use. Contents include 26 Art Songs/Traditional Songs by composers such as Dello Joio, Bach, Debussy, Wolf, Niles, and including classics such as "Gesu Bambino," "O Holy Night," and "The Virgin's Slumber Song." This section also includes the complete song cycle Weihnachtslieder by Peter Cornelius. The 19 Christmas carols include 5 Alfred Burt carols, arrangements by John Jacob Niles and Harry T. Burleigh, and 14 arrangements by Richard Walters.

Songlist: The Birthday of a King, Bright Star, Caroling, Caroling, A Christmas Carol, The Christmas Song, The Christmas Waltz, Deck the Hall, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Epiphanias, Ermuntre Dich, Mein Schwacher Geist, The First Noel, Gesu Bambino, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, The Holly and the Ivy, Holy Infant's Lullaby, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, I Saw Three Ships, I Stand Here at the Cradleside, I Wonder as I Wander, I'll Be Home For Christmas, In the Bleak Midwinter, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head, Jesus Of Nazareth, Les Anges Dans nos Campagnes, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Noel Des Enfants Qui N'ont Plus De Maisons, Nun Wandre, Maria, O Hearken Ye, and more

This beautiful new volume in The Vocal Library is a large resource for classical singers of 53 songs for holiday services and events, designed for a lifetime of use. Contents include 26 Art Songs/Traditional Songs by composers such as Dello Joio, Bach, Debussy, Wolf, Niles, and including classics such as "Gesu Bambino," "O Holy Night," and "The Virgin's Slumber Song." This section also includes the complete song cycle Weihnachtslieder by Peter Cornelius. The 19 Christmas carols include 5 Alfred Burt carols, arrangements by John Jacob Niles and Harry T. Burleigh, and 14 arrangements by Richard Walters.

Songlist: The Birthday of a King, Bright Star, Caroling, Caroling, A Christmas Carol, The Christmas Song, The Christmas Waltz, Deck the Hall, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Epiphanias, Ermuntre Dich, Mein Schwacher Geist, The First Noel, Gesu Bambino, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, The Holly and the Ivy, Holy Infant's Lullaby, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, I Saw Three Ships, I Stand Here at the Cradleside, I Wonder as I Wander, I'll Be Home For Christmas, In the Bleak Midwinter, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head, Jesus Of Nazareth, Les Anges Dans nos Campagnes, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Noel Des Enfants Qui N'ont Plus De Maisons, Nun Wandre, Maria, O Hearken Ye, and more

Celebrate the season with 25 solos of popular favorites to classic carols chosen especially for children! This piano/vocal collection includes access to online audio of full performances by children soloist, plus piano accompaniment tracks for practice. Songs include: Away in a Manger - The Chipmunk Song - Christmas Time Is Here - Feliz Navidad - Frosty the Snow Man - A Holly Jolly Christmas - It's Beginning to Look like Christmas - Jingle Bell Rock - Mary Had a Baby - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Silent Night - What Child Is This? - and more.

Songlist: Silent Night, Rocking, O Christmas Tree, What Child Is This?, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, He Is Born, The Holy Child (Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant), Away In A Manger, Feliz Navidad, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, The Friendly Beasts, Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella, O Come, Little Children, Once In Royal David's City, Christmas Time Is Here, Mary Had A Baby, The Chipmunk Song, Frosty The Snow Man, A Holly Jolly Christmas, It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, The Night Before Christmas Song, Pine Cones And Holly Berries, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Sleep Of The Infant Jesus

The perfect answer for those Christmas solo needs at church or school! These 15 carol arrangements are very flattering to child singers. The vocal range of the book generally spans middle C up a ninth. Children will be inspired to excel by hearing each song sung by someone their own age. Practice accompaniments are also on the Enhanced CD (when put into a computer, you can change the tempo and key of each song).

Songlist: Away in a Manger, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella, The Friendly Beasts, Go, Tell It on the Mountain, He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Mary Had a Baby, Once in Royal David's City, O Christmas Tree, O Come, Little Children, Rocking, Silent Night, The Sleep of the Infant Jesus, What Child Is This?

An extraordinary set of carol arrangements. As in the case with virtually all of Daron Hagen's music, he takes the listener on an unusual journey, frequently only alluding to tunes or portions of tunes already more than familiar to the listener. As one would expect of a composer who has devoted so much of his life to vocal music and the relationship between music and text, surprising things occur.

Songlist: Lullay, O Come, O Come, Emmauel, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/O Come, Emmanuel, Silent Night, Once in Royal David's City, Sussex Carol, What Child Is This?, At Bethlehem Proper, Hosanna

John Rutter conducts the Bach Choir and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in what is surely the finest new recoding of Christmas carols this year. Rutter is a composer, conductor and arranger and he brings all of that to these high holiday gems. Most of the carols are very well known, though in the arrangements of Rutter they sound completely fresh. There are some new carols here - Rutter's own 'Riu Riu Chiu' (the sounds a nightingale makes) and 'The Colours of Christmas' - and some new approaches to old ones. The main factor that makes this such a perfect selection of holiday music is the free intermixing of religious carols with contemporary Christmas songs.

Songlist: Ding Dong! Merrily On High, The Colours Of Christmas, In Dulci Jubilo, What Is This Lovely Fragrance?, Away In A Manger, Hodie Christus Natus Est, Riu Riu Chiu, I Wonder As I Wander, Star Carol, Once In Royal David's City, Silent Night, In The Bleak Midwinter, Gabriel's Message, Fanfare - O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, A New Year Carol, Joy To The World, Sleigh Ride, Deck The Hall, The Christmas Song, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Fanfare - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Artistic Director Elaine Quilichini founded the Calgary Girls Choir in 1995, an award-winning community choir known for its outstanding performance of a wide variety of musical styles and challenging repertoire. The Choir offers five programs for girls and young women, of which two, "Allegra," a preparatory choir for girls ages 6 to 11 years, and "Brava," winner of many provincial and national music awards. 15 Christmas songs, all accompanied by light piano, beginning with the title cut, a medley of the "7 Joys," including "This Is The Truth," "Din, Don! Merrily on High," "Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine," "Patapan," "Fum, fum, fum!" and others; Schubert's "Ave Maria," "Once In Royal David's City," the Czech folksong "Zither Carol," "Al Shlosha D'Varim," the lovely "Candles, Candles," "The Carol of the Rose," "Apple-Tree Wassail," and standard carols "Fa La, La, La, La" and "Silent Night," "A Celtic Blessing" and others. A lovely Christmas winner from one of Canada's most talented and beloved children's choirs. 

Songlist: The Joy of Love: This is the truth, The Joy of Bells: Din don! merrily on high, The Joy of Mary: Joseph dearest, Joseph mine, The Joy of Children: Patapan, The Joy of the New Year: New Year Song, The Joy of Dance: Fum, fum, fum, The Joy of Song: God bless the master of this house, Ave Maria, The little road to Bethlehem, Once in Royal David's City, The Little Jesus Came to Town, Zither Carol, Candles, Candles, Al Shlosha D'Varim, The Carol of the Rose, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, Carols of French Canada, Apple-Tree Wassail, Fa, la, La, La, La, Silent Night, A Celtic Blessing

CHICKAdivas : Wintersong   

These 5 "a cappella chicks with swing and style" from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, who have been entertaining audiences together since 2002, and who were winners of Northern Harmony 2003, bring us their 2nd CD, a Christmas album, after their well-received debut CD, "Chick Us Out!" There are 16 spirited Christmas favorites here, particularly fine are Guylaine's solos on the Czech carol "Rocking" and "What You Gonna Name Him?," Marion's solos on traditional French carol "Entre le boeuf et l'ane gris" and the Austrian traditional carol "He Smiles Within His Cradle," Regina's solos on "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas," Rebecca's solo on Kirby Shaw's "Jamaican Noel," the title tune, a German Carol, with English lyrics by Regina, and the Kirby Shaw-arranged "White Christmas." A beautiful Christmas collection from Canada's talented CHICKAdivas.

Songlist: It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, I Saw Three Ships, Rocking, One Still and Silent Night, What You Gonna Name Him?, Entre le boeuf et l'ane gris, Ecce Maria, Once in Royal David's City, Wintersong, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Silver Bells, He Smiles Within His Cradle, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Jamaican Noel, White Christmas

When you have one of England's premiere choirs being directed by one of England's foremost director while singing some of the finest traditional carols then you most certainly have yourself a wonderful holiday recording. Noted baritone Simon Vaughn is featured and many of the songs are accompanied by the Clare College Orchestra.

Songlist: Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Infant holy, infant lowly, Angel Tidings, Quelle est cette odeur agreable, Once in Royal David's City, Il est ne le divin enfant, I saw three ships, In dulci jubilo, Nativity Carol, Quem pastores laudavere, Rocking, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Here we come a-wassailing, The Coming of our King, O come, O come, Immanuel, The Infant King, Sheperds'Noel, Noel nouvelet, O little town of Bethlehem, Gabriel's Message, Sans Day Carol, Stille Nacht, Flemish Carol, Past three a clock

Another fine collection of Christmas carols from the Anglican tradition.Some albums are tailor-made for Christmas Eve listening, the cozy musical equivalent of a roaring fire, a mug of eggnog, and the bright lights on the tree. The morning of Christmas Day requires something else entirely, and that's when this set of Essential Carols from the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, will fit the bill, with the angelically pure voices of young British choristers blending to the strains of traditional carols both familiar and little-known. This is Christmas music sung the old-fashioned way, its simplicity and spiritual warmth not compromised by big operatic voices or pop personalities. Recorded under the direction of David Willcocks between 1959 and '65, these performances sound truly timeless today, and no matter how knowledgeable you are about Christmas music, you'll find some surprises among these 38 carols.

Songlist: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, The First Nowell, While shepherds watched their flocks by night, I Saw Three Ships, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, King Jesus Hath A Garden, In dulci jubilo, Unto Us Is Born A Son, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Away in a manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The Holly and the Ivy, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, See Amid the Winter's Snow, Past Three O'clock, Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), Adam Lay Y Bounden, Gabriel's Message, Once in Royal David's City, Sussex Carol, Little Jesus Sweetly Sleep, Rejoice and Be Merry, The Cherry Tree Carol, The Three Kings, As With Gladness, Men of Old, A Great And Mighty Wonder, The infant King, Balulalow, Legend (When Jesus Christ was but a child), Christ was born on Christmas day, and more

Stephen Cleobury directed the choir with this fine collection of the many of the choir's classic Christmas repertoire.

Songlist: Once In Royal David's City, Rejoice And Be Merry, What Sweeter Music, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, A Spotless Rose, Heer Jezus Heeft Een Hofken, King Jesus Hath A Garden, The Lamb, Bogoroditze Dyevo, Infant Holy Infant Lowly, Illuminare Jerusalem, While Shepards Watched, Quittez Pasteurs, In Dulci Jubilo, The First Nowell, Coventry Carol, Personet Hodie, O Come All Ye Faithful

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four had just been appointed Dean of King's after experience as an army chaplain which had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. (He devised our Advent Carol Service in 1934, and was a liturgical pioneer and authority during his twenty two years as Dean of York.) The choir included sixteen trebles as laid down in King Henry VI's statutes, but until 1927 the men's voices were provided partly by Choral Scholars and partly by older Lay Clerks, and not, as now, by fourteen undergraduates. Almost immediately other churches adapted the service for their own use. A wider frame began to grow when the service was first broadcast in 1928 and, with the exception of 1930, it has been broadcast annually, even during the Second World War. Sometime in the early 1930s the BBC began broadcasting the service on overseas programmes. It is estimated that there are millions of listeners worldwide, including those to Radio Four in the United Kingdom. In recent years it has become the practice to broadcast a digital recording on Christmas Day on Radio Three, and since 1963 a shorter service has been filmed periodically for television.

Songlist: Once In Royal David's City, Bidding Prayer, Up! Good Christen Folk And Listen, The Truth From Above, First Lesson, Adam LAy Ybounden, Second Lesson, Sussex Carol, In The Bleak Mid-Winter, Third Lesson, In Dulci Jubilo, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Fourth Lesson, A Tender Shoot, The Lamb, Fifth Lesson, Joy's Seven, Gabriel's Lesson, Sixth Lesson, Dormi Jesu, Riu Riu Chiu, Seventh Lesson, The Fayrfax Carol, While Shepards Watched, Eighth Lesson, I Saw Three Ships, Illuminare Jerusalem, Ninth Lesson, O Come All Ye Faithful, Prayer And Blessing, and more

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge has always been synonymous with Christmas -- from the yearly television broadcast of their Lessons and Carols service to their numerous best-selling albums of Christmas songs and masses. EMI Classics is proud to present a 2-CD compilation of their greatest Christmas carol recordings.

Songlist: Once in royal David's city, Ding Dong! Merrily on high, O come, all ye faithful, The Holly and the Ivy, Hark! the herald angels sing, Silent Night, While shepherds watched, In the bleak midwinter, God rest you merry, gentlemen, The Lamb, Angels, from the realms of glory, Adam lay ybounden, The Three Kings, I saw a maiden, Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?, Quem pastores laudavere, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, A maiden most gentle, A Spotless Rose, Sans Day Carool, I wonder as I wander, The Cherry Tree Carol, I sing of a maiden, Gabriel's Message, Personent hodie, The First Nowell, In dulci jubilo, O little town of Bethlehem, I saw three ships, It came upon the midnight clear, and more

The earliest 15th century carols were based on simple folk melodies, with texts added representing Christmas ideas, but it was a long gap then until the Victorians, followed shortly by great 20th Century composers (Vaughan Williams, Holst etc), developed the wonderful catalogue of choral enjoyment that we enjoy here today.

Songlist: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Invitatory, While Shepherds Watched, Adam Lay Ybounden, Once in Royal David's City, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing By, Gabriel's Message, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Sussex Carol, In Dulci Jubilo, Away in a Manger, O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste fideles), Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen, Come Thou Redeemer, Twas in the Year that King Uzziah Died, Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding, A Spotless Rose, I Sing of a Maiden, Remember O Thou Man, On Jordan's Bank, Up! Awake!, King Jesus Hath a Garden, The Blessed Son of God, O Come, O Come Emmanuel

At the Cathedral Church of York, England, there has been music celebrating the Birth of Christ since the earliest times, as the present building was consecrated in 1472. The procession of the 30-voice Choir, bright against the ancient stones of the building, the glow of the candles the glistening lights on the tree, and the singing of best-loved Christmas carols-this is what "Carols" is about. 21 magnificent organ accompanied carols, sung in the Minster's superb acoustic, from "The First Nowell," "Coventry Carol," "The Holly and the Ivy," and "In Dulci Jubilo" to "Silent Night," "O Leave Your Sheep," "Behold the Great Creator" and "Good Christian Men, Rejoice." Superb!

Songlist: The First Nowell, While Shepherd Watched Their Flocks, Coventry Carol, Good King Weneslas, The Holly and the Ivy, Christians Awake!, Once in Royal David's City, O Come, All Ye Faithful, In Dulci Jubilo, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, On Christmas Night, "Sussex Carol", Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Brightest and Best, O Leave Your Sheep, Bethlehem, of Noblest Cities, Behold, the Great Creator, It Came upon the Midnight Clear, Good Christian Men, Rejoice

This CD is a lovely assortment of familiar Christmas carols. The opening carol, "Once in Royal David's City" with soloist Maribeth Diggle is especially nice as voices are gradually added until the full choir is singing. Most pieces are a cappella with a few accompanied by organ. Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus are both directed by Paul Halley. The combination of the children's and adult choirs creates a beautiful sound. This is a delightful treat for Christmas.

Songlist: Once In Royal David's City, Torches, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, Joys Seven, Huron Carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, The First Nowell, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Nativity Carol, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Lo, How A Rose E'Er Blooming, Personent Hodie, There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue, O Come, All Ye Faithful, I Sing Of A Maiden, Sussex Carol, In The Bleak Mid-Winter, Sir Christmas, Hark The Herald Angels Sing

The 2011 Christmas Concert was the 85th annual and is one of the nation's most dramatic choral Christmas celebrations.

Songlist: Nimrod from Enigma Variations, In the Beginning, God, Thou Who Wast God, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, O Magnum Mysterium, A Child Is Born, Coventry Carol, The First Noel, Today Heaven Sings!, Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, Let Our Gladness Have No End, The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, Once In Royal David's City, Past Three A Clock, Away In A Manger, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Shout The Glad Tidings, Patapan, Our Father, It Is Well With My Soul, Compline

The Elora Festival Singers, conducted by internationally acclaimed director Noel Edison, is one of the most exciting of contemporary choirs. Their disc of Eric Whitacre's choral music (8.559677) was nominated for a GRAMMY in 2010. Now they turn to the art of the Christmas carol, a genre covering a variety of styles,6305c both popular and refined, each piece expressing religious sentiments and beliefs. The music ranges from much-loved settings to new works, from polyphony to more straightforward melodies, in a recital stretching from the Middle Ages to the music of today.

Songlist: Once in Royal David's City, My Dancing Day, What Child Is This?, A Boy Was Born,, The Holly and the Ivy, Who is He in Yonder Stall, Nesciens Mater Virgo Virum, Away in a Manger, Ding! Dong! Merrily on High, O Holy Night, Adam Lay Y Bounden, Ecce Concipies, Rocking, Gabriel's Message, I Wonder as I Wander, There is a Flower, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, The First Nowell

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

Libera is as close as a boyschoir could ever be to be called a pop sensation but in a way that's exactly what this group is. With millions of CDs sold and touring world wide this ensemble has taken choral music to whole new audiences to great success. The singers of Libera who are aged seven to sixteen attend many different local schools in South London and come from a variety of backgrounds. Although they are boys and they sing, they do not think of themselves as choirboys, but rather as an alternative kind of boy band. This Christmas release, their first holiday album, is superb and you will listen to this recording season after season.

Songlist: Joy to the World, Still, still, still, Carol of the Bells, Veni, Veni Emmanuel, Once in Royal David's City, O Holy Night, White Christmas, Corpus Christi Carol, In Dulci Jubilo, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Sing the Story, Coventry Carol, The First Nowell, Jubilate Deo, While Shepherds watched their Flocks, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

Boys from South London with 65 million views on YouTube make up the choral group Libera and are normal kids aged 7 to 16 years. The music they produce is truly extraordinary. In addition to their annual tour to America, Libera appearances include The Today Show, Tonight Show, PBS, NBC, Kennedy Center Honors, Yankee Stadium Papal Mass and many more. Their new album 'Christmas Carols With Libera' is available on CD plus digital formats. Taking on the mellow and the more upbeat songs in this collection, the boys of Libera had great fun. The likes of 'Ding Dong Merrily On High' require real precision, as well as purity. Many of the tracks were recorded during a group 'retreat' to a rehearsal space in an old school, this allowed a true live feel to the process. The boy who took the lead vocal on 'The Snowman' had just turned 9 years old, whilst the introductions to the French 'Noel Nouvelet' and the Irish 'Wexford Carol' are both handled by native French and Gaelic speakers, Libera is as polyglot as ever. The distinctive sound of Libera has travelled the world in the last few years. The group's albums have topped both mainstream and classical charts in many countries, and their recordings hold their place in top 10s alongside major artists. Libera's unique sound has endeared the group to fans all over the world, particularly in the USA, the UK, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan, where their CDs top the mainstream and classical charts and where they pack concert halls appearing in their trademark flowing white robes on imaginatively lit stages. "When I heard them sing... It does remind me a lot of The Beach Boys, but actual boys" - Brian Wilson

Songlist: In Dulci Jubilo, Walking in the Air, Ding Dong Merrily on High, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, Noel Nouvelet, Once in Royal David's City, I Saw Three Ships, What Child Is This (Greensleeves), Sing Lullaby (The Infant King, Carol of the Bells, Wexford Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The Angel Gabriel, Poor Little Jesus, Gaudete, Silent Night, Do You Hear What I Hear?

A heavenly host of great music for men's voices in the Advent and Christmas season. This collection from Marty Parks has established a treasured place in music ministry. The essence of the Christmas story is captured in a variety of styles. Collection includes service openers, anthems, calls to prayer, and benedictions.

Songlist: Amen, Child of Bethlehem, Christmas Presence, How Great Our Joy!, Jesus, the Light of the World, Jesus, the Son of God, Joyfully We Sing, Mary Had A Baby, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Lord, Most Holy, Once In Royal David's City, Prince of Peace, We Have Seen His Star

One of our favorite barbershop quartets of all time sing holiday classics in their own inimitable style. Christmas never sounded as good!

Songlist: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, The Little Drummer Boy, Once in Royal David's City, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, What Child Is This?, Silent Night, You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

"Shout the Glad Tidings" is a beautiful, sumptuous Christmas album by Minnesota-based "The Singers," led by founding Artistic Director and Conductor Matthew Culloton. The 25 songs include traditional carols like "Once in Royal David's City," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and "Angels We Have Heard on High;" and lesser known but equally lovely works like "Of the Father's Love Begotten," Morten Lauridsen's "O Nat Lux," William Walker's "The Babe of Bethlehem," "El Rorro" (The Babe), Ned Rorem's title tune, Arvo Part's "Bogoroditse Dyevo," Jack M. Jarrett's "Go, Pretty Child," and Culloton's nice piece, "God's Mother Be." The 40-strong, mixed-voice Singers are drawn from all around the state of Minnesota, and some songs have light accompaniment. We loved this varied, finely-crafted collection and bet that you will too!

Songlist: Once In Royal David's City, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, A Spotless Rose, Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, Of The Father's Love Begotten, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Away In A Manger, O Nata Lux (from Lux Aeterna), Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen, Variations from Opus 10, The Babe Of Bethlehem, El Rorro (The Babe), Shout The Glad Tidings, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, People Look East, Bogoroditse Dyevo, Go, Pretty Child, God's Mother Be, Angel's We Have Heard On High

This new Christmas recording of favorite carols sung by choir and congregation with choral and organ settings by Sir David Willcocks, Larry Fleming, Stephen Paulus, Paul Manz and David Cherwien entitled "Carols We Love to Sing." Artistic Director David Cherwien is at the organ, along with Rachel Brandwein (harp), and Sarah Carmack (oboe), all assisting the featured musical resources: the song of the assembly. This release completes a trio of popular recordings of hymn and carol settings

Songlist: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Love Has Come, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, Once in Royal David's City, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Oh, Come, Little Children, On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol), Of the Father's Love Begotten, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, In the Bleak Midwinter

Octappella : Christmas   

The fourth excellent CD by Utah-based, all male Contemporary octet Octappella, who apply their trademark intricate, tight harmonies, cutting-edge arrangements and bright, solid vocal percussion to 13 Christmas favorites. Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child," the wonderful original "Come and See" by group member Matt Cropper (who also does a lot of Octappella's arrangements), a marvelous arrangement of "O Come All Ye Faithful," a sizzling, jazzy rendition of Sammy Cahn's "Let It Snow," Jay Althouse's spirited foot-tapper "Whisper! Whisper!," a pair of innovative Deke Sharon arrangements, "O Come O Come Emanuel" and "Sleigh Ride," "O Holy Night," another nice original, "Christmas Time," by group member Wes Brewer; and the spirited "Child of God" by Emily Crocker are immediate favorites. But "Stars Were Gleaming," "Once in Royal David's City" and "Joy to the World" are also incredible, as if we are hearing these standards for the first time. A brilliant, fun, seemingly effortless, envelope-pushing collection-one of the best we've heard this year!

Songlist: Mary's Little Boy Child, Come And See, O Come All Ye Faithful, Let It Snow, Stars Were Gleaming, Whisper! Whisper!, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Sleigh Ride, O Holy Night, Christmas Time, Child Of God, Once In Royal David's City, Joy To The World

The Christmas Story from the Annunciation to Epiphany told in well-known traditional carols, and works by Bruckner, Joubert, Howells, Poulenc and other composers : directed by Edward Higginbottom

Songlist: I Wonder As I Wander, Adam Lay Ybounden, Alma Redemptoris, The Angel Gabriel, Ave Maria, A Spotless Rose, There Is No Rose, The Little Road To Bethlehem, Once In Royal David's City, Stille Nacht, Sing Lullaby, Gloria Sei Dir Gesungen, O Magnum Mysterium, In Dulci Jubilo, O Jesulein Sul, While Shepards Watched Their Flocks By Night, Quem Vidistis Pastores, Shepards Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep, Adeste Fideles, Videntes Stellam, Rocking Carol, Here Is The Little Door, Hark The Herald Angels Sing

The University of Oxford's world famous choir performs a selection of famous and lesser-known carols.

Songlist: O come all ye faithful, Adam Lay Y Bounden, Out of your sleep, The angel Gabriel, A Spotless Rose, Ding dong merrily on high, In the bleak midwinter, The holly and the ivy, I wonder as I wander, A babe is born, Sussex carol, This is the truth, A Virgin most pure, Here is the little door, Alleluya a new work is come on hand, Lully lulla thou tiny little child, In dulci jubilo, There is no rose, Rocking carol, Wassail Carol, Once in royal David's city

Pacific Chorale is one of America's great choirs. Internationally recognized for exceptional artistic expression, stimulating American-focused programming, and influential education programs. This is a treasured collection of some of Pacific Chorale's most requested Christmas gems. Classic seasonal pieces are heard alongside all-time favorite carols. Under the inspired guidance of Artistic Director John Alexander, Pacific Chorale has infused an Old World art form with California's hallmark innovation and cultural independence.

Songlist: A Carol Fantasy, Angels We Have Heard On High, The First Noel, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Once In Royal David's City, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, Ave Maria, The Lamb, I Wonder As I Wander, Sing We Now Of Christmas, Carol Of The Drum, Three Little Carols, Carol Of The Bells, Here We Come A-Caroling, Jingle Bells, HAve Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, A New Year Carol, Christmas Time Is Here

The Village of RHOSLLANNERCHRUGOG ("Rhos") is situated some 4 miles south west of Wrexham in North Wales, which itself is 12 miles south of the historic Roman city of Chester. lt is a former mining village, but the last remaining pit closed in 1987. Once known as the largest village in Wales, it has a long history of producing talented performers in all areas of the arts. Over the years, it has been home to two male voice choirs, a ladies' choir, a girls' choir, a mixed choir and a championship quality Silver Band. Rhos has been the birthplace of many top class musicians, actors and singers who have made significant contributions to Welsh culture not only as performers, but also as writers and composers. Here the male choir sings some holiday favorites.

Songlist: The First Nowell, While Shepards Watched, Deck The Halls, Away In A Manger, Coventry Carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Holly And The Ivy, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, In The Bleak Midwinter, Ding-Dong Merrily On High, We Three Kings, O, Little Town Of Bethlehem, Once In Royal David's City, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Silent Night

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

The definitive album of household favorite carols, beautifully and expertly sung. This collection of well-loved traditional Christmas carols is perfect for creating a warm seasonal atmosphere, and to sing along with. The Sixteen is one of the jewels in the musical crown of Britain, and enjoys a worldwide reputation. Founded in 1977 by director Harry Christophers, its eighty CDs have received nearly every major prize of the recording industry, including the prestigious Gramophone Award for Early Music. The Sixteen's special reputation for early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, and a diversity of twentieth century music is founded on a naturalness of performance, a revealing clarity and beauty of sound, precision, and a dramatic intensity of delivery.

Songlist: The First Noel, Once in Royal David's City, The Sussex Carol, While Shepherds Watched, I saw Three Ships, Angels from the Realms Of Glory, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Rocking, In Dulci Jubilo, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, In the Bleak Midwinter, Good King Wenceslas, Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly, The Holly and the Ivy, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, See Amid the Winter's Snow, Coventry Carol, O Come all Ye Faithful, Hark! The Herald Angels

Those familiar with the works of St. Olaf's know that the choir is part of a long tradition of Scandinavian chorale singing, which often features the compositions and arrangements of the venerated F. Melius Christiansen. One of his arrangements, "O Day Full of Grace," is included here, as well as a seventeenth century spiritual, "O Savior, Throw the Heavens Wide"; a Greek vespers (evening prayer service) hymn, "Hail, Gladdening Light," and various other liturgies. There is piano accompaniment on "Gloria in excelsis Deo" and the spiritual, "Here's a Pretty Little Baby." The purity of the tones and blend is all the more amazing, as the recording was done live. Elegant and pristine.

Songlist: O Savior, Throw The Heavens Wide, Hail, Gladdening Light, Let All Mortal Flesh, There is No Rose Of Such Virtue, Benedictus, Carols & Lullabies: Christmas In The Southwest, All This Night, In Terra Pax, Cherubim Song, Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn, What Sweeter Music, Gloria In Excelsis Deo, Here's A Pretty Little Baby!, Laudate Dominum (Une Cantate De Noel), Angels' Dance, At The Manger: Carols For Choirs, Night Of Silence / Silent Night, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, O Day Full Of Grace, The Spirit Of The Lord, Once In Royal David's City, Nune Dimittis

For many people over the years, the celebration of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season has begun with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a cherished tradition of the college for nearly a century. The first festival, in 1912, was a worship service in song for the college community, planned and directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.. Performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble are: The St. Olaf Choir, directed by Christopher Aspaas; The St. Olaf Cantorei, directed by John Ferguson; the Manitou Singers, directed by Sigrid Johnson; and the St. Olaf Orchestra, directed by Steven Amundson.

Songlist: Messiah, Prince Of Peace, My Song In The Night, Comfort: Comfort, Narration, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, There Shall A Star, Lift Up Your Heads, Two Kings, The Best Of Rooms, From Heaven Above, Sweet Was The Song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Gospel, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Gaudette, Silent Night, I Saw Ships, God's Son Has Made Me Free, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Gloria, Shepard's Jubilee, Angels' We Have Heard On High, A Christmas Carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Narration, Glorification, Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres, Once In Royal David's City, Narration, and more

One of the most enduring musical Christmas traditions, Northfield, Minnesota's St. Olaf College celebrated its 97th Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival in December of 2008. This massive event features the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble with the St. Olaf Orchestra. The program is narrated, telling the story of the birth of Christ, "illustrated" by carols, spirituals, classical Christian pieces and original songs such as the final cut, "Beautiful Savior," written by the founder of the Festival and St. Olaf's musical program, F. Melius Christiansen. Presenting this 32-part event in its entirety requires two CDs, beginning with Steven Amundson's "The Gift," and it's hard to pick favorites. Certainly the 6-part "Carols from Around the World" medley needs to be included, the a cappella "How Great Are Thy Wonders," Z. Randall Stroope's accompanied "There Is No Rose," the Basque Carol "The Angel Gabriel," the Irish traditional "Canticle of the Turning," Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child," Gian Carl Menotti's "Shepherd's Dance," and the Danish tune "Bright and Glorious is the Sky." A tremendous event, filled with joyous singing and the telling of a wonderful story. Entensive liner notes give us the lyrics to all songs, and details about the music and St. Olaf College.

Songlist: The Gift, Keep Your Lamps, Narration, A New Magnificat, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Awake The Harp (The Creation), How Great Are Thy Wonders, There Is No Rose, Magnificat "Collegium Regale", Welcome, All Wonders, The Angel Gabriel, Canticle of the Turning (stanzas 1-2), Gospel Reading, Canticle of the Turning (stanzas 3-4), Joy to The World, Gloria, Dona Nobis Pacem, Alleluya, A New Work Is Come On Hand, What Wonderous Love, Mary's Little Boy Chile, Noel, Sanctus (Mass), Shepherd's Dance, Bright and Glorious Is the Sky, Carols From Around the World, Joy to the World, O Day Full of Grace, In Endless Morn of Light, Once in Royal David's City, Nunc Dimittis, and more

"Purity" is the third excellent CD by 2001 Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweeps finalists, all-male quintet T Minus 5, an 8-song collection. Six of the tunes are Gospel hymns: "Because I Have Been Given Much," "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee," "Once in Royal David's City," "I Need Thee Every Hour" and "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" (which is lightly piano accompanied) The final two cuts are the folk tune "Shenandoah" and "The Star Spangled Banner." Rich harmonies and deep feeling are present in each of these inspirational, beautiful selections.

Songlist: Because I Have Been Given Much, Precious Lord, Take My Hand, Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee, Once In Royal David's City, I Need Thee Every Hour, A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief, Shenandoah, The Star Spangled Banner

When one of the top Boys Choirs in the world perform Christmas music one expects a world class recording and indeed this release delivers! A fine selection of traditional and lesser-known carols that are bound to please. Includes Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols.

Songlist: Procession, Wolcum Yole!, There Is No Rose, That Younge Child, Babulalow, As Dew In Aprille, This Little Babe, Interlude, In Freezing Winter Night, Spring Carol, Deo Gracias, Recession, Ding Dong! Merrily On High!, Away In A Manger, We've Been Awhile A-Wandering, Coventry Carol, I Saw Three Ships, Once In Royal David's City, Deck The Halls, Good Christian Men, Rejoice, O Tannenbaum, Panis Angelicus, Stille Niacht/Silent night, Frau Nachtigall, Wach Auf, Es Is Ein Ros' Entsprungen, Adeste Fideles, Die Konige, Joy To The World

This recording is a combination of two earlier releases: "Domingo and the Vienna Boys Choir" and "Hermann Prey and the Vienna Boys Choir," now out of print. The variety of tenor and bass/ baritone voices, combined with the boys' voices is outstanding. All the singers are in top form and the songs are not all the usual trite fair, though there are some familiar titles. All in all, this is a wonderful Christmas experience and highly recommended.

Songlist: Adeste Fideles, O Tannenbaum, Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Frau Nachtigallm, Wach Auf, Pueri Concinite, Stille Nacht, Von Himmel Hoch, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Ding Dong! Merrilly On High, Away In A Manger, We've Been Awhile A-Wandering, Coventry Carol, I Saw Three Ships, Once In Royal David's City, Deck The Halls, Panis Angelicus, Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen, Tochter Zion, Freue Dich, Joseph, Lieber Joseph Mein, Lied Der Hirten, O Heiland, Reiss Die Himmel Auf, Die Konige, Ave Maria