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

Lullabies have been around for thousands of years and in almost all cultures and are probably some of the very first songs ever sung by humans. A lullaby is not surprising appreciated by many of us even as we age and they can be a pleasant addition to any concert. Here are a collection of interesting arrangements of lullabies from Europe.

Songlist: Suo-Gan, Celtic Lullaby, Hush Little Baby, Lullaby, Three Lullabies, Op. 49

Mellifluous Samoan lull words, like "manulele" (bird), and "suamalie," (sweet) are the basis for the hypnotic lullaby of repeated and recombined pentatonic patterns, titled 'Malolo.' Accessible to average choirs, this piece, with its subtle rhythmic interest and carefully crafted dynamic changes, is rewarding for more advanced choirs as well. The "macho march" setting of the Israeli pioneer song, 'Artsa Alina,' makes fine use of rapid alternation between unisons and vigorous chords. This one is a rouser! The Hebrew text is phonetically underlaid, with full Hebrew text and translation, with prononciation guide, included. Because 'K'wae-jina ching-ching nah-neh' builds on repeating short verses and refrains, this song of warning and complaint is accessible to western singers. Suggestions for performance alternatives give additional flexibility.The Korean text is underlaid phonetically, with full Korean text and translation, and guides to pronunciation, given as well. The haunting melody of 'Shenandoah' is variously placed against pedal points, with unison phrase closings, in the alto line, and at close imitation, to give the acoustic feeling of the singers' listening and longing for the sound of the beloved. Lush voicing and the subtle rhythmic texture of the choral accompaniment highlight the simple appeal of 'Suo Gan.' With full Welsh text and phonetic rendition underlaid in the score, and word-by-word and prose translations.

Songlist: Malolo (Lullaby on a Samoan text)., Artsa alinu (We have come up to the land), K'wae-jina ching-ching nah-neh, Shenandoah, Suo-Gan

Ars Nova Singers : Soundscapes: Music from Colorado and Beyond   

Ars Nova, 40 mixed-voice ensemble from Boulder, CO, directed by Thomas Edward Morgan, bring us a striking collection of 18 tunes. Favorites are 3 Polyphonic pieces written by director Morgan, "Three Haiku," followed by Antoine Burmel's "Agnus Dei," "Two Motets" by Terry Schlenker, R. Anthony Lee's "Jesu ducis memoria," Edwin London's "Bach (Again) Chorale: Wer hat dich so geschlagen," "Konstateringer" by Pelle Gudmundsen-Homgreen, "The Ash Grove" (arranged by Morgan), the 4-part "Suite de Lorca" by Einojuhani Rautavaara" and "Irish Tune from County Derry" arranged by Percy Grainger. A beautiful, varied collection by Ars Nova.

Songlist: Three Haiku:, I The moon passes wetward, II The moon in the water, III The temple bell stops, Agnus Dei, Two Motets:, -Sicut Rosa, -O magnum mysterium, Hear My Prayer, O Lord, Jesu dulcis memoria, Bach (Again) Chorale: Wer hat dich so geschlagen, Like This, Suo-Gan, Konstateringer, The Ash Grove, Suite de Lorca:, -Cancion de jinete (Song of the Horseman), -El Grito (The Scream), -La luna asoma (The Moon Rises), -Malaguena (Song of Malaga), Irish Tune from County Derry

The continued success of the Children's Chorus of Washington has brought us yet another wonderful CD featuring their Concert Chorus and Treble Chorus, under the direction of founder, Joan Gregoryk. This CD includes recordings of both their Holiday and Spring Concerts. You are sure to smile when you listen to these children sing.

Songlist: Psalm 150, Hatikva (The hope), Hava Nageela, What Sweeter Music, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Zither Carol, Far Away in Bethlehem Town, Hark! The Herald Angel Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, The Christmas Song, Domine Fili unigenite, Gloria, Et In Terra pax, Laudamus Te, Domine Deus, Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, Cum Sancto Spiritu, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Give Praise With joyful Song, Suo-Gan, Opening Chorus from "the Bartered Bride", Ride On, King Jesus, Run Children Run

The 60-voice Harvard Glee Club, Harvard's internationally renowned men's chorus, is the oldest college chorus in America, founded by students in 1858 to sing college songs and glees. It took until 1912, under the dynamic direction of Dr. Archibald T. Davison, that the Glee Club developed a repertoire of distinction and gained a national reputation. Drawing its repertoire from six centuries, the Glee Club has proved itself particularly expert in the performance of contemporary American music, sacred repertory of the Renaissance, Eastern European music and Folk songs of the world. Under the direction of Jameson Marvin since 1978, the HGC has enhanced its reputation as one of America premier collegiate choruses. "Long Way From Home" is a rich collection of 27 tunes, many of them, like "The Minstrel Boy," "Danny Boy," "Skye Boat Song," "K'ang Ting Love Song" and "Barb'ra Allen," beautifully arranged by conductor Marvin, and several others, like "The Foggy Dew," "Glorious Apollo" and "Sacramento," arranged by Archibald Davison. Other favorites are Franz Schubert's "Widerspruch" and "La Pastorella, the Georgian Folk song "Voi Di Vo," the traditional song "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," "Lowlands" (arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw; and several written by Harvard men, Richmond K. Fletcher's "Yo Ho" and "The Grid Iron King & Soldiers Field," R.G. Williams' "Up the Street" and "Harvardiana," Murray Taylor's "Ten Thousand Men of Harvard" and "Fair Harvard," a traditional Irish Air based on a poem by Samuel Gilman, 1811.Every cut here has the wonderful beauty and gravitas we've come to expect and enjoy from this venerable, powerful men's chorus!

Songlist: N'e Se Di Djemo, The Minstrel Boy, Waitin' for the Dawn of Peace, Laura Lee, The Foggy Dew, Danny Boy, Bushes and Briars, Glorious Apollo, Skye Boat Song, Widerspruch, La Pastorella, Suo-Gan, Shenandoah, Esti Dal, Voi Di Vo, Ej Dziny Dziny Dom, K'ang Ting Love Song, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Gentle Annie, Sacramento, Barbara Allen, Lowlands, Yo Ho, Ten Thousand Men of Harvard, Up the Street, Harvardiana: The Grid Iron King & Soldiers Field, Fair Harvard

The King's Singers explore the folk songs and melodies of the world in a new program entitled Postcards. "In our travels we have amassed a wonderful collection of folk songs and popular songs from numerous countries, many of which we use as encores when we visit," said KS, "The influences and sources are extraordinarily far-ranging, and each song has its own local characteristics. To celebrate the diversity of music that we perform and the numerous countries we visit each concert season, we have recorded an album of some of our favorite folk songs from around the world."

Songlist: Feller from Fortune, Tico Tico no Fuba, Es dunkelt schon in der Heide, Star of the County Down, O My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose, Jeg gik mig ud en sommerdag, Vito, Contigo Aprendi, Zai no yao yuan de di fang, Suo-Gan, Egoli, Baylere, Little David, Play On Your Harp, Esti Dal, Mein kleiner gruner Kaktus, Arrirang, Pokarekare Ana, Oak and the Ash, Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare), Tuoll on mun kultani, Botany Bay, Pasional

Once again Iowa's Luther College's Department of Music has called upon its renowned Nordic Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Cantorei, Christmas Brass and Percussion Ensemble, Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Aurora, Norsemen and Luther Ringers to create the magnificent 4-day musical story of Christmas, "Christmas at Luther 2009, Joy to the World." These combined music ensembles are joined by the audience on the opening cut, "Processional: Joy to the World," and on the next to last cut, "Silent Night" (with narration). There are other traditional carols such as "Joy, Joy, Joy," "Wexford Carol," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel;" classical songs like Felix Mendelssohn's "Thanks Be to God" and Guy Forbes' "O Magnum Mysterium," and pieces by contemporary composers, Quittez, pasteurs" and "Gloria" by John Rutter, "There is No Rose" by Rene Clausen, "Nowel" by Randall Thompson, Jackson Berkey's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," and F. Melius Christiansen's lovely "Praise to the Lord." There is an organ solo of Claude Balbastre's "Ou s'en vont ces gais bergers," and "Agincourt Song" by the wonderful Symphony Orchestra. In terms of pure musical magnificence, celebration, wonder and beauty, there really is nothing that compares with "Christmas at Luther!"

Songlist: Joy to the World, Eventide, Thanks Be To God, Narration, Joy, Joy, Joy, There is No Rose, Nowel, Angels We Have Heard on High, Wexford Carol, On This Day, Earth Shall Ring, Fanfare, Quittez, pasteurs, O Magnum Mysterium, Fantasia on a Ukranian Carol, Ou s'en vont ces gais bergers, Suo-Gan, Agincourt Song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, S nami Bog, Gloria In Excelsis Deo!, Praise to the Lord, Silent Night, Gloria

Join us as we enter a new decade of Vespers with the 2010 concert. Open up your hearts as the Millikin University choral departments "Shout the Good News." This year's program contains calm music that carries a quiet certainty, which will warm your hearts.

Songlist: Fanfare For Joy, Climb To The Top Of The Highest Mountain, Gloria, Te Lucis Ante Terminum, Seek The Lord, Tota Pulchra Es, Ave Maria, Suo-Gan, There Is No Rose, El Rorro, Jubilate Deo, Hail Christmas Day, Jubilate Deo, O Magnum Mysterium, Christmas Comes Anew, The First Noel, One Small Child/ We Three Kings, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Joy To The World

Seattle is well-known for the vibrancy of its homegrown music. Seattle Girls' Choir's newest CD, 'Mosaic' adds to the richness of the region's musical heritage. 'Mosaic' blends sacred and secular pieces sung in the soaring treble choral style for which the choir is famous. The CD has been released in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Seattle Girls' Choir. 'Mosaic' is a compilation of the choir's all-time favorite classical vocal music that has been sung on tours and at music festivals spanning the United States to some of the great cathedrals of Europe. Some great sacred pieces included are 'Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One,' 'The Song of Solomon,' and the always stirring double choir 'Ave Maria,' by Gustav Holst. Memorable secular pieces included are 'Vier Gesange' by Brahms and Randall Thompson's moving 'Choose Something Like a Star.' Also, another fine recording included is Jackson Berkey's 'Nunc Dimittis.' Berkey's outstanding treble music served as the inspiration for two previous Seattle Girls' Choir CDs. This is an excellent collection of music, for anyone who appreciates beautiful treble choir music!

Songlist: The Pelican, Ave Verum, Zapad Slunce, Suscepit Israel, Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen, Ave Maria, Laudi Alla Vergine Maria, Bow Down Thine Ear, Rise Up My Love My Fair One, Nunc Dimittis, Vier Gesange, Suo-Gan, Choose Something Like A Star

The Vienna Boys Choir is world reknowned and with good reason. This fine combination of traditional and modern Christmas selections, is one of the best Christmas albums by the Choir. Many pieces are well known standards, and have been rewritten in ways that keep the music fresh, interesting and new!

Songlist: Sleigh Ride/Troika, Mary's Boy Child, Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting), Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, Ukraine Bell Carol, Wexford Carol, Suo-Gan, O Holy Night, White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth, Wonderful Christmas Time, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Coventry Carol, Away in a Manger