Annabelle Cruz, founder and Director of Voena, her very special 56-strong international mixed choir boys and girls, ages 7 to 15. Based in Benicia, CA, "Voena" stands for "Voices of Eve 'N Angels" Annabelle encouraged the children, with multicultural backgrounds, to celebrate their unique sound, in the hope that they would become not just a choir but a family. They took off from there, singing 2 to 4-part harmonies, growing into doing song arranging and even composing. "A Cappella America" has 18 songs, featuring some excellent solos by young choir members. Some favorites: "Sweetly the Swan Sings," written by Annabelle, "God Bless America/My Country 'Tis Of Thee," "Children of Creation," with music by Annabella, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the South African folk song "Singabahambayo," the traditional "Greensleeves," "America the Beautiful," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn," Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata," and Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Some accompaniment by Native Flute, percussion and fiddle. We find Voena's story inspirational, and their music beautiful and fine!

Songlist: Sweetly the Swan Sings, God Bless America / My Country Tis of Thee, Children of Creation, Song of Peace, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Dark of the Moon, Singabahambayo, Kye Kye Kule, Massom Massom, Stand in the River, Wichita Stick Game, Greensleeves, America, The Beautiful, Star Spangled Banner, Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn, This Little Light of Mine, Pata Pata, The Magic Flute

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