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, 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

"Cantus" is an eleven member all-male group hailing from St. Olaf's College in Minnesota. Their holiday disc includes many traditional favorites, such as "Coventry Carol," "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" and an original version of "Deck the Halls" (done in 5/4, with jazzy harmonies??, a definite departure from the style on the rest of the recording). "Riu, Riu, Chiu," sung in Spanish, and accompanied by appropriate percussion, accented like a russian song (ask the group about this.) The recording, made in a church, adds atmosphere and presence to the group's own melliflous blend; the notes "float" effortlessly as if weightless. The classically-trained voices are well-suited to the sacred material, the sound of which conveys allegiance to its origin centuries ago. A calming shelter from the Christmas frenzy.

Songlist: Veni, Veni Emmanuel, O Magnum Mysterium, Riu, Riu Chiu, Gabriels' Message, Salvation Is Created, Alleluia, Hail Mary, Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming, O Holy Child, Coventry Carol, Suo-Gan, I Wonder As I Wander, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, I Saw Three Ships, Deck The Halls, Silent Night

Cantus does it again and delivers another top knotch recording and shows how this fine male ensemble is developing into a world class act. This well recorded release features Gregorian chant, folksong arrangements, and major Christmas works for male choir, such as Morten Lauridsen's glorious "O Magnum Mysterium" and Franz Biebl's moving "Ave Maria." Also featured are new arrangements by members of the ensemble of familiar holiday songs, as well as newly commissioned Christmas compositions. The song selection ranges from familiar carols such as "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "I Wonder as I Wander," "The Three Kings," "What Child Is This and "Silent Night," to a Welsh lullaby, "Suo Gan," and "Gabriel's Message," a Basque carol arranged by John Rutter. This CD is intended to go well with a cold night, a roaring fire, and some eggnog. Due to the loving work of John Atkinson and the singers of Cantus, the album is that and more. It illuminates the human side of the Nativity, focusing on the idea of new life in the dead of winter and the bond between parent and child. Beautiful holiday music, finely-crafted and effortlessly sung.

Songlist: Puer natus est, Gabriel's Message, Ave Maria, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hodi Christus natus est, O Magnum Mysterium, O Magnum Mysterium, Mary Had a Baby, Suo-Gan, A La Nanita Nana, I Wonder as I Wander, The Three Kings, What Child Is This?, Die Konige, Coventry Carol, Silent Night

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

"Goin' Home is Chor Leoni's sixth CD - each one we rave about, and each one is better than the last! Internationally acclaimed conductor Diane Loomer's flawless direction and song selection keep the Vancouver, BC-based all-male choir going in the right direction. As Canada is composed of citizens from every corner of the world, the object of "Goin'" was to collect and present folk songs from many of these countries, in the hope that CL's audience would experience "the bittersweet tightness in the throat and tear in the eye that only comes when you are goin' home." 18 richly textured a cappella songs, beginning with 3 dramatic Ainu folk tunes, "Bear Festival," "Piraka" and "Whale Festival," and continuing with "Fenyang Ge" and "Minoi, Minoi," Anhui and Samoan folk songs, respectively. Following are the Lapp folk song, "Dalvi duoddar luohti," and one of the best covers of the Zulu tune "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" we've heard. German, English, Irish, Estonian, and Welsh folk songs delight the crowd (this is a live performance, although the audience is almost edited out). A couple of nice American songs, the Appalachian folk song "Bright Morning Star" and "Shenandoah," precede the title tune by Antonin Dvorak, the Scottish tune "Loch Lomond" and "Christmas Angel." Sweet harmonies and what we can only call "personality" pour forth from CL like water from a Canadian stream. Recommended!

Songlist: Three Folk Songs, Bear Festival, Pirika, Pirika, Whale Festival, Fengyang Ge, Minoi, Minoi, Dalvi duoddar luohti, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Jing-ga-lye-ah, Gaudeamus igitur, Drink to my only with thine eyes, Dulaman, Kolm mul oli kaunist sona, Suo-Gan, Bright Morning Star, Shenandoah, Goin' Home, Loch Lomond, Christmas Angel

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

The 40-strong, all-male NDGC brings us a rich, varied collection of 26 songs, ranging from the expected Notre Dame fight songs ("Irish Backs"/"On Down the Line," "You Gotta Be A Football Hero"/Touchdown Star," "Notre Dame, We Hail Thee," "Notre Dame, Our Mother" and "The Notre Dame Victory March"), Folk and Traditional tunes ("Vive l'amour," "What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor," "McNamara's Band"/Clancy Lowered the Boom"), "Loch Lomond" and "Danny Boy"), Show tunes {'Tonight," "Seventy-six Trombones") and spirituals ("The Water Is Wide," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Wade In the Water," "My Lord, What a Morning" and "Ain'-A That Good News"). Nicely sung, spirited a cappella selections by one of the oldest and most beloved collegiate choruses.

Songlist: Vive I'amour (American Folk Song), Irish Blacks / On Down the Line, You Gotta Be a Football Hero / Touchdown Star, Tonight, On the Banks of the Don, What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor, Suo-Gan, McNamara's Band, Loch Lomond, The Water Is Wide, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Wade In the Water, My Lord, What a Mornin', Ain'-A That Good News, If Ye Love Me, Trinklied, Nine otpushchayeshi, Spaseniye sodelal, Trouble, Sadder But Wiser, Seventy-Six Trombones, Danny Boy, Notre Dame, We Hail Thee, Notre Dame, Our Mother, The Notre Dame Victory March, Ain'-A That Good News

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