The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols is the perfect resource for choirs of all types and sizes. Each piece is presented with flexible scoring options, clearly explained throughout, enabling performance by various combinations of singers. Variety of composers, including Kerry Andrew, Malcolm Archer, Alan Bullard, Bob Chilcott, Stephen Cleobury, Cecilia McDowall, John Rutter, Mack Wilberg, and David Willcocks. Wide range of material, from Medieval to the present day and including wassails, gallery carols, world carols, and spirituals. With carols for Advent, Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany, and a fabulous range of accessible, quality material, this is a must-have collection for all choirs at Christmas.

Songlist: A babe is born, A little child there is yborn, Adam lay ybounden, Angels, from the realms of glory, Away in a manger, Away With Your Sorrows, Born this day is the Son of God, Cantemos a Maria, Child of the stable's secret birth, Christmas-tide, Christmas Lullaby, Come and Worship!, Come, let us all with heart and voice, Coventry Carol, Ding dong! merrily on high, Falantidida, Gaudete!, Gloucestershire Wassail, Gold for a manger bed, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Good Christians all, rejoice, His Praises We'll Sing, Il est ne, le divin enfant, In the Beginning, In the bleak mid-winter, Infant holy, infant lowly, Jesus Christ is here!, Mary's Cradle Song, Natus est Immanuel, Now is the Time for Christemas!, and more

Merrily On High is an exciting compilation of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany music for church, cathedral, school, youth and community choirs of 'upper voices' - trebles or sopranos and altos. Thirty pieces are included, eleven published for the first time. Contents include new settings and arrangements of familiar and lesser known carols, a 3-part Advent Responsory and Mark Blatchly's setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in B flat. Lyrics are in English, French, German, Latin and Polish. Includes invaluable historical and performance notes for each piece by Barry Rose.

Songlist: Adam Lay Ybounden, An Advent Responsory: I Look From Afar, Come, Thou Redeemer of Earth, Brightest and Best, A Child Is Born, Come, Watch With Us This Christmas Night, Down In Yon Forest, Fum, Fum, Fum, Gabriel's Message, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, When Christ Was Born of Mary Free, The Holly and the Ivy, How Far is it to Bethlehem?, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Myn Lynking, No Room at the Inn, Now the Most High Is Born, O This Night is Born Noel, People, Look East, Two Polish Carols, Rejoice and be Merry, The Shepherd's Farewell, Say, Where is He Born?, Silent Night, Still, Still, Still, Sweet Was The Song, Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day, Torches!, Watts's Cradle Hymn, Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?

A collection of stunning arrangements featured on the Dale Warland Singers album "Sing We of Christmas". "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree" are a cappella

Songlist: Manger Dance, Christmas Lullaby, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, We Three Kings, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree

Sir David Willcocks: A Celebration in Carols marks the 95th birthday of one of the most acclaimed choral conductors, editors, and arrangers of our time. A survey of his work, the collection brings together many of Willcocks's best-loved carol arrangements, spanning his career as co-editor of Carols for Choirs and as conductor of the UK's finest choirs. It includes a selection of his original compositions too, and gives an overview of the styles and traditions that have enhanced the Christmas musical experience of thousands of singers and listeners. As an affectionate birthday tribute, A Celebration also includes specially-commissioned new carols by John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, and Jonathan Willcocks.

Songlist: Away in a manger, I saw three ships, O come, all ye faithful, Sussex Carol, Infant holy, infant lowly, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Hark! the herald-angels sing, Quelle est cette odeur agreable?, Gabriel's Message, Birthday Carol, Resonemus laudibus, Jingle, Bells, Lullay, my liking, High Word of God, eternal Light, Starry night, Rejoice and sing!, Nowell, nowell, There is no rose

The volumes of Carols for Choirs have established themselves as the quintessential carol books for carol-singers 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. Featuring upper voice versions of arrangements from the classic "Carols for Choirs" series of songbooks.

Songlist: A Merry Christmas, A New Year Carol, A Virgin Most Pure, Adeste Fidelis, Angels, from Realms of glory, Angelus ad Virginem, As with gladness men of old (congregational version), Away in a manger, Born in a Stable so bare, The cherry tree carol, Coventry Carol, Deck The Hall, Ding-dong ding, Ding dong! merrily on high, Donkey Carol, Donkey riding over the bumpy road, The first Nowell, Gabriel to Mary came, Gabriels Message, God rest you merry, gentlemen (congregational version), God rest you merry, gentlemen (unaccompanied version), going through the hills, Good King Wenceslas, Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary, Hark the herald angels sing (Congregational Version), Hark the herald angels sing (Unaccompanied version), He smiles within his cradle, Here we bring new water, The Holly and the ivy, How far is it to bethlehem, and more

From John Leavitt comes this elegant cantata for Christmas, set up in the form of a classic Lessons and Carols service. A colorful tapestry of beautiful sounds, this major work has great variety in its scope and style. Whether presented with piano or John's chamber orchestration, the sensitive writing will showcase the artful approach of a master arranger, making this compilation of carols and readings a thoughtful choice for churches, universities and community choruses. Highly recommended! Songs include: Veni, Veni Emmanuel; People, Look East; The Angel Gabriel; He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child; Resonet in laudibus; What Sweeter Music; Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day; We Three Kings of Orient Are; Sing Noel, Alleluia! Score and Parts (fl 1-2/pic, ob, cl 1-2, bn, perc 1-3, timp, hp, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) available as a Printed Edition and as a digital download.

Songlist: He Is Born, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, People, Look East, Resonet In Laudibus, Sing Noel, Alleluia!, The Angel Gabriel, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, We Three Kings Of Orient Are, What Sweeter Music

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

In 'For The Beauty of the Earth,' such beautiful words deserve to be set to equally beautiful music, and here the textures unfold and the piece blossoms from bar one to the end. Starting in two parts and organically growing to seven, the music is designed to lift the hearts of all that perform and hear it. A new work for a new day. Famously set to music by Thomas Tallis, and taking words from the gospel of John, 'If Ye Love Me' is a fresh attempt at this famous passage of scripture. Rich harmonies will resonate in your performance space, enveloping your listeners with a tapestry of sound. The famous text of 'Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day' receives a madrigal-like setting with vibrant mixed meters and colorful vocal textures. Excellent for chamber groups and a cappella programs, this fascinating and rewarding work will surely delight! A new and simple arrangement of the famous prayer"God Be in My Head" joins the existing repertoire with rich harmony and strong melodic line. "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" - soft, expressive and thought provoking phrasing shape this lovely setting for unaccompanied voices. With an interesting use of the 5/8 time signature, the melody flows endlessly and effortlessly.

Songlist: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, If Ye Love Me, For the Beauty of the Earth, Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree, God Be In My Head

The volumes of Carols for Choirs have established themselves as the quintessential carol books for carol-singers 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. Includes 50 varied carols for every occasion, carols by Benjamin Britten, William Mathias and William Walton.

Songlist: A Babe Is Born I Wys, A Child Is Born In Bethlehem, A New Year Carol, Adam Lay Ybounden, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, All This Time, Angels And The Shepherds, Cherry Tree Carol, Come Leave Your Sheep, Come, Thou Redeemer Of The Earth, Deck The Hall, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Down In Yon Forest, Gabriel's Message, Gloria Sei Dir Gesungen, Glory Now To God We Render, Going Through The Hills, Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, He Is Born The Divine Christ Child, Here We Bring New Water, Here We Come a-Wassai;ing, Holly And The Ivy, How Far Is It To Bethlehem?, I Look From Afar, I Saw A Fair Maiden, Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant, The Infant King, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Joseph Was An Old Man, and more

Several new pieces have been composed especially for the collection: Alan Bullard's jubilant carol 'Ring the Bells'; Cecilia McDowall's exquisite lullaby setting of a William Blake text; an enchanting piece by Howard Skempton, perfectly crafted in his unique voice; and a clever wassail-style carol from Roderick Williams. These appear alongside popular carols in new arrangements for upper voices. For Him all Stars is sure to delight audiences and inspire both young and adult choirs alike.

Songlist: Balulalow, Ring the bells, Scots Nativity, For him all stars have shone, We Three Camels, Cradle Song, Vulcan, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Mary's Cradle Song, Love came down at Christmas, Into this world, this day did come, There is no rose, Carol of Our Lady, Remember, O thou man, A Catch bythe Hearth

Pride of Vermont since their founding by the renowned Dr. Willis, the 40-strong Bella Voce Women's Chorus brings us a bright, ringing Christmas album of 20 songs, some of them familiar and beloved, like "The Sussex Carol," "Wexford Carol," John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," "A La Nanita Nana," the spirituals "Mary Had A Baby" and "Glory and Honor to the Newborn King;" "Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head," "I Wonder As I Wander," the Christmas medley "Christmas Intrada," Benjamin Britten's "This Little Babe" and Brahms' "Ave Maria." and many of them less familiar to us, like "Masters in this Hall," "O My Dear Heart," Eleanor Daley's "What Sweeter Music," "La Virgen Lava Panales," "The Moon of Wintertime," "A la Ru, A la Me" and Steven Rickards' "Angels Did Sing." Most songs have some light to heavy accompaniment, and the lovely, extensive liner notes have all the lyrics.

Songlist: The Sussex Carol, Masters in This Hall, Wexford Carol, O My Dear Heart, Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day, A La Nanita Nana, Mary Had A Baby, Jehovah Hallelujah, Glory and Honor to the Newborn King, Christmas Intrada, What Sweeter Music, La Virgen Lava Panales, The Moon of Wintertime, This Little Babe, Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head, I Wonder as I Wander, A la Ru, A la Me, Angels Did Sing, Magnificat

Dr. P. Bradley Logan, Director of Choral Activities at Bemidji State University, Lake Bemidji, MN, conducts the venerable (founded in 1937) Bemidji Choir and Chamber Singers in "Come Close to Me," their eighth excellent, finely-crafted album in our Singers.com catalog. Favorites among the 20 selections are David Cerwien's lovely "Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Jakob Handl's "O Admirabile Commercium," Antonio Lotti's "Crucifixus," a pair by Z. Randall Stroope, "I Am Not Yours" and "Winter," Eric Whitacre's "Sleep," a pair by Morten Lauridsen, "Soneto de la Noche" and "Sure On This Shining Night" (both from "Nocturnes"), Eric Barnum's "Jenny Kiss'd Me," Musikanten's "Three Kyrie's " and Aaron McDermid's "Come Sing Me to Heaven," and three by the Chamber Singers, "As Long Ago, "As Once We Met" and "Summer Days Are Here," all by Daniel Gawthrop." There is some piano accompaniment. All these songs were recorded at live performances by these talented groups. Treat yourself to this beautiful, inspirational music from some of our favorite Collegiate ensembles!

Songlist: Gloria In Excelcis Deo, O Admirabile Commercium, Crucifixus, Deutsches Magnificat, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, I Am Not Yours, Winter, Sleep, Soneto de la Noche, Sure on This Shining Night, Jenny Kiss'd Me, Elegy on Water, Witness, Deep River, Set Down Servant, Three Kyries, Come Sing To Me Of Heaven, As Long Ago, As Once We Met, Summer Days Are Gone

The first all-new Christmas recording from John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers for almost 20 years. John Rutter directs the Cambridge Singers, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choir alongside guest soloists Melanie Marshall, Clara Sanabras and Elin Manahan Thomas, for an unforgettable festival of Christmas music.

Songlist: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Gaudete, The Shepherd's Carol, Nos Galan, I Wonder As I Wander, Ave Maria, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Rejoice And Be Merry, El Noi De La Mare, A Christmas Overture, Born On A New Day, Magical Kingdom, Mary's Boy Child, Esta Noche, Sleigh Ride, The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, New Year, I Wish You Christmas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Founder Pamela Cook directs Cantamus, based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK, her 40 hand picked singers, girls age 13 to 19, in a generous, finely-crafted Christmas collection of 19 songs. Just a quick listen to John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," and accompanist Michael Neaum's arrangements of "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Do You Hear What I Hear," and we know what a treat "Noel" is going to be! Mostly accompanied by piano, flute and other instruments, there are few sounds as joyous and welcoming at Christmas than these soaring, spirited young voices singing favorites like "Patapan," "Stille Nacht," "White Christmas," "Riu, Riu Chiu" and "Away in a Manger;" and lesser-known tunes like "I Sing of a Maiden," "Lullay Myn Lyking," "Midwinter" and "Pastorcito Santo." Treat yourself and your loved ones to "Noel," a true musical Christmas gift!

Songlist: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, The Little Drummer Boy, Do You Hear What I Hear?, I Sing of a Maiden, A Maiden Most Gentle, Patapan, Midwinter, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Pastorcito Santo, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, What Child is This?, The Lily and the Rose, Sussex Carol, Stille Nacht, Mary's Lullaby, Lullay Myn Lyking, Away in a Manger, The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, White Christmas

"The Chicago Children's Choir is a multiracial, multicultural choral music education organization, shaping the future by making a difference in the lives of children and youth through musical excellence." This is how the directors and teachers of the CCC describe themselves and what they are trying to do, and it warms our hearts on many levels. In the very brief liner notes is a picture of the large, red-jacketed choir of beautiful, intently singing children. Inside the 15 live Christmas songs are listed: "Gesu Bambino," Sing Joyfully," "This Christmastide," "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," "Christmas Song," "Riu, Riu Ciu," "Vehavta," "Hacia Belen va un borrico," "Appletree Wassail," "I Want the Star," "Christmas Lights," "A Take Six Christmas," "Snow," "White Christmas" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain." Josephine Lee, Artistic Director, is there in very small type. That's it-we learn from their website that the group began in 1956, the dream of the late Rev. Christopher Moore, that grew from a handful of kids in the First Unitarian Church to 3,000 kids in 61 in-school choruses, 5 after-school neighborhood choirs and this 125-voice Concert Choir. The music, the message and, of course, the children are the emphasis and the gift. Some light accompaniment.

Songlist: Processional, Gesu Bambino, Sing Joyfully, This Christmastide, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Christmas Song, Riu Riu Chiu, Vehavta, Hacia Belen ca un borrio, Appletree Wassail, I Want the Star, Christmas Lights, A Take Six Christmas, Snow, White Christmas, Go, Tell it on the Mountain

Under the direction of founder, Joan Gregoryk, these children shine once again. With beautiful pieces by John Rutter, Benjamin Britten, Bob Chilcott and G.F. Handel, to name a few, you are sure to fall into the Christmas spirit after listening to this beautiful music. This CD represents selections from the past five years of the Children's Chorus of Washington's December Holiday Concerts, and is surely not to be missed!

Songlist: Ding Dong, Merrily On High, Still Still, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Angel's Carol, The Snow, Angels We Have Heard on High, Two Old World Carols, A la Nanita Nana, Le Sommeil de I'enfant Jesus, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Mary had a Baby, Go Where I Send Thee, Mid Winter, This Little Babe, Never A Child As He, Star Carol, Donkey Carol, Hallelujah Chorus from "Messiah", Sleigh Ride

A new festive release from the Choir of Jesus College Cambridge under their director Mark Williams - with additional performances from organists Robert Dixon and Timothy Lambourn, and trumpeter Rebecca Crawshaw. The programme is drawn from pieces for the festivals of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas: Of the annual Christian seasons, it is surely that from Advent to Epiphany which inspires believer and non-believer alike the most: the believer celebrates Christ's birth whilst the non-believer considers hopes for rebirth and renewal as a New Year approaches ... If aspirations surrounding the arrival of a new born child are universal, the Christmas music chosen here reflects the season's inspiration through quite recent compositions, alongside music from the early part of the 20th century. -Mark Williams

Songlist: Jesus Christ the apple tree, We wait for thy loving kindness, I sing of a maiden, Advent Prose, There is no rose, Hymn to the virgin, Bright star carol, In the bleak midwinter, Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day, The shepherds carol, I Saw Three Ships, The little road to Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, Sir Christemas, The Lamb, Paean on Divinum Mysterium, Epiphany, Here is the little door, Bethlehem Down, Nunc dimittis, Hymn to the Creator of Light

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

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

On the cover of "O Holy Night" we see an awesome giant Christmas mural, with the huge Concordia Choir in front of it, and The Concordia Orchestra in the foreground. This massive Christmas celebration has been an annual event for many years, and it just keeps getting bigger and better. 24 songs, with spoken parts, all accompanied, some familiar ("Angels We Have Heard On High," "O Holy Night," "Joy to the World"), some unfamiliar ( "Of the Father's Love Begotten," "Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah," "Calm on the Listening Ear of Night"), but together in sequence they magnificently tell the Christmas story. "O Holy Night" is a triumph, one of the best of the year!

Songlist: Prelude On How Brightly Shines the Morning Star, Of the Father's Love Begotten, Angels We Have Heard On High, O Holy Night, There Is No Rose of Such Virtue, Light Everlasting, Lost In the Night, Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah, Vene Sanctus Spiritus, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, He Is Born, Before the Marvel of this Night, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!, Calm On the Listening Ear of Night, Twelfth Night, How Great Our Joy, Nowell Sing We, Both All and Some, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Sussex Carol, Jeg er saa glad, Go, Tell It On the Mountain, Psalm 150, Joy To the World, Compline

Since 1920 The Concordia Choir of Moorhead, Minnesota, has continued to affirm its reputation as one of the nation's finest a cappella choirs. Touring nationally and internationally the choir has performed in nearly every major hall in the United States including Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center. "Prince of Peace" is their seventh CD release, and it features the 2002 Concordia College Christmas Concert, conducted by the renowned Rene Clausen. Begun on a small scale in 1927, the event as we know it today began in 1937 under Paul Christiansen, son of St. Olaf College choir director F. Melius Christiansen, when the first giant Christmas mural was added. The recording has 25 parts, some simply orchestra, some a cappella singing, some singing with orchestra, some narrative. For a hint of how wonderful this concert is, listen to "For Unto Us A Child Is Born," from Handel's "Messiah," featuring the orchestra and Choir-outstanding. John Gardner's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," Stroope's "There Is No Rose of Such Virtue," Pierce's "How Still He Rests," or sinple carols like "Silent Night," a lilting "Pat-A-Pan," "O Hearken Ye," "Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head," or the powerful Haitian carol "Noel Ayisen"-it's all amazing.

Songlist: Church Windows, Domine Deus from "Gloria", He, Watching Over Israel, O Lovely Christmas Rose, O Magnum Mysterium, There Is No Rose, Silent Night, How Still He Rests, O Chritmas Babe, the Best of All I Know (Leland B. Sateren), For Unto Us A Child Is Born from "Messiah", Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Pat-A-Pan, Noel Ayisyen (A Haitian Noel), O Hearken Ye, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Go, Tell It On the Mountain, My Lord, What a Mornin', Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head (, People, Look East, Alleluia from "Brazillian Psalm", Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness, Dona Nobis Pacem, Psalm 50, Praise To the Lord, Copline

Director Rene Clausen continues to raise the bar of excellence of this world-class choir and the 2006 Christmas Concert was a special series of concerts indeed. This year's honored concert honored longtime mural designer and liturgical artist David Hetland '69 who designed the hand-painted Christmas Concert murals for the past 28 years. David passed away April 16, 2006. Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium" has become a standard for many choirs and the choir here gives this magnificent piece true justice. A true delight this recording will brighten everyone's holiday spirits.

Songlist: The Adoration of the Magi, Agnus Dei, O How Shall I Receive You, Christmas Cantata, E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, Lost In the Night, There Is No Rose of Such Virtue, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, O Magnum Mysterium, Fum, Fum, Fum, Silent Night, 'Twas in the Moon of Winter Time, Cold December Flies Away, The Angel Gabriel From heaven Came, O little Town of Bethlehem, Twelfth Night, Sanctus, Past Three O'Clock, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, The Three Kings, Psalm 150, Lux Aeterna, Compline

In our opinion, probably the top women's choir performing today (this of course is a matter of some debate) is the Elektra Women's Choir, and as proof we offer their latest, "A Ceremony Of Carols," a brilliant CD of choral Christmas classics. First we have 12 cuts from Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols." Then three selections from Paul Csonka's "Concierto de Natividad," Then John Rutter's "Dancing Day, Parts I and II," eight songs. Featured is Rita Costanzi on harp. Just settle back in your easy chair with a Christmas toddy, put this on the stereo and let the beautiful music take you to a Christmas of another time and place.

Songlist: A Ceremony of Carols, Procession, Wolcum Yole!, There is no Rose, That yonge child, Balulalow, As dew in Aprille, This little Babe, Interlude, In Freezing Winter Night, Spring Carol, Deo Gracias, Recession, Concierto di Navidad, Amoroso Pastorcillo, Al Nino Jesus, La Nana, Dancing Day, Prelude, Angelus and Virginem, A virgin most pure, Personent Hodie, Interlude, There Is No Rose, Coventry Carol, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Founded in 1987, and co-directed by Diane Loomer, C.M. and Morna Edmundson, the 57-strong, Vancouver, BC-based Elektra is now regarded as a leader in the classical women's choir movement worldwide. Seeking out music written specifically for women and frequently commissioning new works, the singers are selected by audition--and share an enthusiasm for challenging repertoire. "Child of Grace," a Christmas CD, is the group's 5th, and contains 21 songs, some with light accompaniment, piano and drums. This is a stunningly lovely collection of beautiful, little-known carols and Christmas songs, like Eleanor Daley's "What Sweeter Music" and "I Sing of a Maiden," and Knut Nystedt's "Mary's Song." There's a joyous group of 8 songs by Derick Holman called "Sir Christemas." Songs we've heard many times like "I Saw Three Ships," "How Far Is It to Bethlehem" and Malcolm Edwards' "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" are the exceptions. Each song is a gem!

Songlist: Adam Lay Ybounden, O My Dear Heat, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, What Sweeter Music, Carol for the Animals, I Sing of a Maiden, Mary's Song, How Far is it to Bethlehem?, In the Bleak Midwinter, Sir Christemas:, -Proface, welcome!, -Sir Christemas, -The Wassail, -Omnes gentes plaudite, -Here comes holly, -Ivy, chief of trees, -Nay, ivy, nay, -Now have good day!, The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, The Huron Carol, I Saw Three Ships, I Sing of a Maiden

Colorful Christmas selections of all styles by the multiple award-winning, Chicago area-based mixed-voice GECC, directed since 1996 by Emily Ellsworth, with Guest Artist Stephen Hartman on harp. 21 songs, featuring Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," traditional favorites, popular selections such as "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and a poignant new arrangement of "Auld Lang Syne." We love the sound of a fine children's chorus at Christmas, especially one as beautifully trained and directed as this one. John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" and "Personent Hodie," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and a lilting cover of Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child." Some accompaniment, from light harp to orchestral, on all songs. An excellent CD, sure to fill you with Christmas spirit!

Songlist: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Ding Dong Merrily on High, One Fine Hour, A Ceremony of Carols:, Procession, Wolcum Yole!, There is no Rose, That yonge child, Balulalaw, As dew in Aprille, This little Babe, Interlude, Spring Carol, Deo Gracias, -Recession, Personent Hodie, The Most Wonderful Time of Year, Shiru (Sing!), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Mary's LIttle Boy Child, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Auld Lang Syne

HMC's first holiday recording, this wonderful CD is being re-released in 2005 in celebration of the Chorus' 20th anniversary after having been out-of-print for several years. Conducted by Reuben M. Reynolds, III.

Songlist: A Winter Triptych, Din Don Merrily On High, O Holy Night, Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Gloria, The Christmas Song, Silent Night, Holy Night, The Holly and the Ivy, A New Year's Song, Water Under Snow is Weary, Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine, White Christmas, A Song For Christmas

Considered to be one of the finest children's choirs in the country we expect a high standard and director Janeal Crabb Krehbiel delivers with a fine collection of carols and songs in celebration of the season.

Songlist: Solstice, Come, Join the Angels' Song, A Cuckoo Flew Out of the Woods, Prayer, Gaudete! Gaudete!, Dashing Through the Snow, In the Bleak Mid-wainter, Russian Candle Carol, Gesu Bambino, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Patapan, Weinachtsglocken, Huron Carol, He Came Down, Three Catalonian Carols, Sing We Now Noel!, Night of Silence

There Is No Rose explores a wealth of repertoire drawn from the compositional output for female voices, from a wonderful group of British composers. The first part of the CD celebrates the centenary of one of the most prolific British composers of the 20th century, Benjamin Britten, while the rest of the program includes such gems as an incredibly moving setting by Tarik O Regan of a poignant poem by Anglican priest-poet Mark Pryce, a world-premiere recording of the haunting Coventry Carol set for four-part female choir by Lionel Salter, and Elgar s The Snow, a real showpiece for Les Sirenes and one of the works that secured their place in the Grand Final of Choir of the Year 2012!

Songlist: A Ceremony of Carols, Sweet was the Song, The Song of the Woman, The Oxen, Bring Rest, Sweet Dreaming Child, Coventry Carol, Jesu, Thou the Virgin-Born, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, A Lullaby for Becky, The Snow, Deck the Halls, Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day, A Merry Christmas

Aurora is one of seven choral ensembles at Decorah, IA's Luther College, founded in 1981 and comprised of 100 first-year women, selected each fall by audition. Named Pike Kor from the mid-1980s until the spring of 2008 when the ensemble was renamed Aurora, latin for dawn. Aurora performs on and off-campus for worship services, participates in the annual Christmas at Luther concert, and presents a spring concert with The Norsemen. "Using Our Voices" is an 18-song collection, some are accompanied by piano, flute, and percussion. Particularly fine are Stephen Paulus' "Daybreak," Libby Larsen's powerful a cappella tune "The Womanly Song of God," Andrea Clearfield's "Sarah (from Women of Valor)," Daniel Kallman's "There Will Be Rest," Kinley Lange's "Esto les digo" and "Prayer for the Gifts," Craig Hella Johnson's "Will There Really Be a Morning?," Abbie Betinis' "Hail! Christmas day," Edwin Fissinger's "Love Came Down at Christmas," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol" and "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." These young voices seem talented and poised way beyond their years, singing difficult, sometimes eclectic material effortlessly and gracefully. Don't miss these beautiful, spirited, soaring harmonies from Aurora!

Songlist: DayBreak, The Womanly Song of God, O frondens virga, Tota pulchra es, Ubi caritas, Sarah (from Women of Valor), There Will Be Rest, To Joy, Out of the Morning, Esto les digo, Prayer for the Gifts, Will There Really Be a "Morning"?, America, The Beautiful, Hail! The Christmas Day, Patapan, Love Came Down at Christmas, Candlelight Carol, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

The magnificent 4-day Christmas Festival at Decorah, IA's LutherCollege tells the story of Christmas in song and narration, andfeatures the 85-member Symphony Orchestra and hundreds of members of Luther's Nordic Choir, Pike Kor, Cathedral Choir, Norsemen and Cantorei. 26 cuts, all accompanied: "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" from Handel's "Messiah," Leonard Bernstein's dramatic "Chichester Psalms," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," Bach's "Gloria," the joyous "Cantemos a Maria"-it's all wonderful!

Songlist: Nimrod, Narration, Fanfare For A Festival, For Unto Us A Child Is Born, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Gloria, As Lately We Watched, Mbiri Kuna Mwari, Gloria, Chichester Psalms, Cantemos A Maria, Candle Light Carol, Sing Nowell Sing Gloria, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, Wake Awake, Vom Himmel Hoch, Agincourt Song, O Magnum Mysterium, A Christmas Alleluia, Still Still Still, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Epilogue, Jerusalem, Narration, Infant Holy Infant Lowly, Silent Night

Sigrid Johnson conducts the Manitou Singers, comprised of 95 first-year female students at Northfield, Minnesota's St. Olaf College. The Singers have delighted audiences over the years with their beautiful and striking interpretations of treble choral literature. Included are Clausen's "Make a Joyful Noise," Rutter's "Candlelight Carol" and "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," "There Is No Rose of Such Virtue," Jackson Berkey's "Gloria," "Sanctus," "Make We Joy," "Sing A New Noel;" 17 songs in total. Orchestral accompaniment on most songs, but the beautiful voices of the young women are on center stage. Lovely and intricate music for Christmas!

Songlist: Make A Joyful Noise, Candlelight Carol, The Road Ahead, Gloria, There Is No Rose of Such Virtue, All My Heart This Night Rejoices, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, I Sing of a Maiden, Sleep, O Lovely One, Sanctus (from Missa Hosanna), Make We Joy, The Journey of Mary, Sing a New Noel, How Far is it to Bethlehem?, A la nanita nana, Lullaby (from Hodie), Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

"Music" is an excellent collection of Christmas Songs by Conductor and Founder Stollak's sweet-singing MSUCC, all lightly piano (and sometimes flute) accompanied. Classics like "I Saw Three Ships," "Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella," "Wassail Song," "Pat-a-Pan," "Ding Dong, Merrily on High" and "White Christmas" segue nicely into lesser-known tunes like Paul Carey's "A Cradle Song," Nancy Cobb's "Hodie," and Eleanor Daley's title tune. John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" are icing on a very tasty Christmas cake!

Songlist: I Saw Three Ships, Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella, A Cradle Song, La Bonne Nouvelle, Wassail Song, Hodie, Cantate Domino, Pat-A-Pan, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, What Sweeter Music, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, White Christmas, The Christmas Song, On Christmas Morn

Good cheer comes from the Milwaukee Children's Choir on this recording of Christmas music. This album features Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols as sung by the Cantorei Choir, led by Emily Crocker and accompanied by harpist Stephen Hartman. This is one of the great Christmas pieces for treble voices. The CD also contains performances by the Concert Choir and Prelude Choir and includes pieces by Emily Crocker: "In dulci jubilo" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Wonderful performances by all.

Songlist: Cantorei Choir:, Good Cheer, Cantate, Carol of the Bells, Concert Choir and Prelude Choir:, Orion, The Birch Tree, Antiphonal Gloria, In dulci jubilo, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Cantorei Choir:, In dulci jubilo, Ask the Moon, Path to the Moon, The Sleigh (a la Russe), Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, A Ceremony of Carols, Hodie, Wolcum Yole, There Is No Rose, That Tonge Child, Balulalow, As Dew in Aprille, This Little Babe, Interlude, Spring Carol, Adam Lay Ybounden, Hodie

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

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

Formed in 1853, the choir Orphei Drangar (OD) has constantly striven to discover and develop new directions for the male-voice choir, while not neglecting its splendid traditions. The first OD disc recorded together with the choir's new artistic director, the celebrated choral conductor Cecilia Rydinger Alin, is no exception. Described by Choir & Organ (UK) as 'a tremendous choir, with superb technique and an immense, expressive range', OD gives proof of its versatility in a highly varied program which still manages to stay within the theme of Christmas: original settings and new arrangements of Swedish folk songs and Christmas classics, English carols and Broadway songs - with Stille Nacht, a Russian hymn in praise of the Holy Virgin, and Eric Whitacre's widely admired Lux aurumque added for good measure. Supplying even more nuances to the palette is the choir's guest artist, the young Swedish soprano Ida Falk Winland, as well as a brass ensemble, supporting choir and soloist in parts of the program.

Songlist: Koppangen, Forunderligt at sige, Jul, jul, stralande jul, Hosiannah!, Madonnans vaggvisa, Vittskovlevisan, Staffansvisa fran Orust, Hodie Christus natus est, He Shall Feed His Flock, Lux aurumque, Stille Nacht, Dostoyno yest, Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, Joy to the World, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You), Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Recorded live at Santa Fe's Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis, the Chorale's latest CD inlcudes beloved carols from around the world, the majestic O Holy Night, John Rutter's lilting Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Steven Heitzeg's charming setting of the e.e. cummings poem, little tree, and much more beautiful music of the season. Christmas in Santa Fe is colored by the Mexican influence. Little lanterns adorn some of the adobe buildings and the candlelight processions known as posadas wend thru the town. The program of 20 separate selections was recorded live during two nights' performances at a Winter Festival last year in the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis. The intent was to capture some of the inspiration and job of this time of the year.

Songlist: Seven Joys of Christmas, Christmas Lullaby, Lullay, This Little Babe, What Sweeter Music, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Good King Wenceslas, Joy to the World, Little Tree, Alegria, Hiney Mah Tov, Duermete, Nino Lindo, O Holy Night, Allelia, Dies Sanctificatus

The recordings of The Sixteen have been treasured by collectors of superb choral music Hodie is a beautifully programmed disc of seasonal music from England's greatest composers Featured are perennial favorites by William Walton, Edmund Rubbra, John Tavener, Herbert Howells, and Peter Warlock and as a very special centerpiece, one of the all time critically acclaimed performances of Benjamin Britten's ever-popular A Ceremony of Carols.

Songlist: Make we joy now in this fest, Coventry Carol, A babe is born, The Virgin's Cradle Song, A Hymn to the Virgin, The Lamb, A Ceremony of Carols , Sing Lullaby, Lute book lullaby, A Spotless Rose, Corpus Christi, Balulalow, Benedicamus Domino, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day

The magnificent Tavener piece headlines a collection of choral works that will make a musical companion to anyone's Advent and Christmas.

Songlist: Fear and Rejoice, O People, Hymn to the Mother of God, Carol-Anthems, Carol-Anthems, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, There is a Flower, As Dewe in Aprylle, Benedicamus Domino, Remember, O Thou Man, Unto Us is Born a Son, The Truth From Above, On Christmas Night, A Little Hymn to Mary, Come all You Faithful, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, English Folksongs, Out of Your Sleep Arise, Evening Service in F Major, Totus Tuus, Op. 60

This collection of holiday highlights was copiled from live recordings of Holiday Concerts at Powell Symphony Hall from 2000-2003. Selections can be heard performed by the various subdivisions of the SLCC. Represented in this collection are the Advanced Touring "Concert Choir," the Advanced Intermediate "Choristers," the Intermediate "Chorale," the Preparatory Choir "Music Makers," the Beginning level "Children's Choir," and the select SATB "Chamber Singers." The performers range in age from about 6 to 18, and during the three year span of the recordings, likely transcended their original rank.

Songlist: Magnificat, Deck The Halls, What Sweeter Music, Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, Be Simple Little Children, Ose Shalom, Solstice, Sing For Hanukkah, The Angel Gabriel, On Christmas Night, Still, Still, Still, Bring A Torch Jeanette, Isabella, Sh'ma Yisrael, Away In A Manger, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, For The Beauty Of The Earth, Mary's Little Boy Child, One Fine Hour, Living In A Holy City, Shiru, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Happy Chanuka, Velvet Shoes, A-Wassailing, Chissimas Day, Feed My Lambs, Some Children See Him, One Candle Lights The Way, Riu Riu Chiu, Ein Keloheinu, and more

A Christmas Tradition at St. Olaf College in Northville, MN, since it was begun in 1912 by the late F. Melius Christianson, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is an expression of the school's Christian conviction and rich musical heritage. Included are the St. Olaf Choir, chapel Choir and the Viking Chorus, the Campus Choir, the Manitou Singers, the St. Olaf College Orchestra and the St. Olaf Handbell Ensemble. Thousands of people attend the concerts year after year, and they are treated to a magnificent, dramatic retelling of the Christmas story in song. All orchestrally accompanied, there are 21 songs, beginning with the magical "Fantasia on Greensleeves" and continuing from the sacred, like "Vox Dicentis: Clama" and "Hodie, Christus Natus Est," to familiar carols, "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming?," the title tune and "I Saw Three Ships," to the eclectic, lesser-known Christian music, "And God Said: The Day Shall Dawn" and "Salvation Is Created." "What Child Is This" is a wonderful collection of choral and orchestral talent, marvelous music arranged and directed by the finest, culminating in a huge, multi-faceted pageant of celebration and praise!

Songlist: Fantasia On Greensleeves, Lift Up Your Heads, Ruler Of Heaven, Vox Dicentis: Clama, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming?, Softly, Softly Fell The Snow, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Salvation Is Created, Hodie, Christus Natus Est, Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, From Heaven Winging, Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep, From Heaven Above, Dance Of The Shepherds, What Child Is This?, Carols For The Choirs, Praise The Lord, O My Soul, I Saw Three Ships, O Day Full Of Grace, And God Said: The Day Shall Dawn, All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name

A wonderful Christmas recording from St Paul's Cathedral. Malcolm Archer`s own carol gives its title to this inspiring new collection from the wonderful acoustic of this world famous Cathedral. Included also is his arrangement of "Silent Night" as well as six superb & now standard arrangements by Sir David Willcocks, alongside the beautiful setting of Christina Rosetti`s "In the bleak mid-winter". Full texts included! "Whether it is for singing along by the fireside or sitting in exhausted contentment when the guests have gone, this year`s seasonal CDs offer ample choice. The choir of St Paul`s Cathedral tops the list of new discs of traditional fare with Love came down at Christmas, conducted by the cathedral`s director of music, Malcolm Archer."- Daily Telegraph

Songlist: Silent Night, Hark the herald angels sing, In the bleak mid-winter, Es ist ein Ros, The three Kings, Of the Father`s heart begotten, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Once in Royal David`s City, Ding, dong, merrily on high, I sing of a maiden, In dulci jubilo, God rest you merry gentlemen, The Sussex carol, Love came down at Christmas, The shepherds` cradle-song, See amid the winter`s snow, Rocking, O come, all ye faithful

Tenebrae is a professional chamber choir, founded and directed by Nigel Short in 2001. Often performing by candlelight, the choir creates an atmosphere of spiritual and musical reflection, where medieval chant and renaissance works are interspersed with contemporary compositions. The carefully selected team of singers use the acoustic and atmosphere of the building to enable the audience to experience the power and intimacy of the human voice.

Songlist: Jingle Bells, Silent Night, What Sweeter Music, A Spotless Rose, Quem Pastores?, Veni, veni, There Is A Flower, Alleluia, The Lamb, I Wonder as I Wander, Quelle est cette odeur agreable?, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The Oxen, Gaudete, Away in a Manger, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Nativity Carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas

Described as "phenomenal" (The Times) and "devastatingly beautiful" (Gramophone Magazine), the BBC Music Magazine Award award-winning choir Tenebrae, under the direction of Nigel Short, one of the world's finest vocal ensembles renowned for its passion and precision return to disc on Signum with a sumptuous album of Carols, Hymns and other celebratory works for Christmas. Among the composers to feature on this disc are John Gardner, Peter Warlock, Philip Ledger and Arnold Bax, A singer of great acclaim, Nigel Short was a member of the world-renowned vocal ensemble The King's Singers from 1994-2000. Upon leaving the group, he formed Tenebrae, a virtuosic choir that embraced his dedication to passion and precision.

Songlist: I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, There Is No Rose, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Love Came Down at Christmas, Rejoice and Be Merry, The Birds, Benedicamus Domino, Adam Lay Ybounden, I Saw a Fair Maiden, Balulalow, As Dew in Aprylle, Adam lay ybounden, On Christmas Day, On Christmas Night, I Sing of a Maiden, No Small Wonder, Come Rock His Cradle, I Sing of a Maiden, Mary Walked Through a Wood of Thorn, A Gallery Carol

This CD is a compilation of the most popular Christmas selections from the Toronto Children's Chorus previous Marquis recordings, Dancing Day and Mostly Britten, along with several never before released performances of favourite carols. Both John Rutter's "Dancing Day" and Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" - the two major works on this CD - are popular favourites.

Songlist: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen, The Huron Carol, D'ou viens-tu bergere, Dancing Day, Prelude, Angelus ad Virginem, A virgin most pure with, Personent hodie, Interlude, There Is No Rose, Coventry carol, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, I Saw Three Ships, Stille Nacht, Noel nouvelet, A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28, Procession, Wolcum Yole!, There is no Rose, That yonge child, Balulalow, As dewe in Aprille, This little Babe, In Freezing Winter Night, Spring Carol, Adam lay ibounden, Recession, Cantata No. 142, Alleluia

"A Time to Cherish is a lovely a cappella Christmas collection from The University of Louisville (KY), Cardinal Singers, which was founded in 1970. The 45-strong, mixed-voice ensemble has gained a reputation for excellence under Dr. Hatteburg, from International competitions in Europe, symposiums in Japan, to ACDA Conventions in the US. There are 22 finely-crafted songs here, from traditional carols like "Ding Dong! Merrily on High," "Carol of the Bells," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Away in a Manger," "I Saw Three Ships," "Coventry Carol," "Deck the Hall" and "Joy to the World" to less familiar material, Herbert Howells' "A Spotless Rose," Arvo Part's "Bogoroditse Djevo," Elizabeth Poston's "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree," Juris Vaivods' Ti Divam Duorgi Laiki," Frank Martin's "Sanctus," Ralph Vauhan Williams' "The Blessed Son," and the Paul Brandvik-arranged "Lulajze, Jezuniu."

Songlist: Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Ave Maria (2005), Weihnachten, op. 79 no. 1, The Infant King, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, A Spotless Rose, Bogoroditse Djevo, O Magnnum Mysterium, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Carol of the Bells, Angels, From the Realms of Glory, Away In A Manger, Ti Divam Duorgi Laiki, I Saw Three Ships, Ave Maria (1996), Sanctus, The Blessed Son, Coventry Carol, Rocking, Dack the Halls, Lulajze, Jezuniu, Joy to the World

Who better than the cosmopolitan World Voices to record a collection of Christmas music from around the world. Experience the incredible diversity of musical styles in the songs and carols of Christmas from the choral tradition of countries as diverse as Norway, Catalonia, Mexico, Bohemia China and Poland. Director Karle Erickson does a superb job with many of his arrangements and includes arrangements by others such as Jerry Rubino, David Wilcocks and William Dawson. Highlights include "El Cielo Canta Alegria" and two movements of John Rutter's "Gloria." Most of the tracks are accompanied.

Songlist: Jingle Bells, Joy To The World, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet, El Rorro, Jeg Er Saa Glad, Twas in The Moon Of Wintertime, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Lulajze Jezuniu, Angels We Have Heard On High, Da Droben Vom Berge, Gloria In Excelsis Deo, Come, Hear The Tidings, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Pengyou Ting, El Cielo Canta Alegria, Mary Had A Baby, Cold December Flies Away, Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus

It wouldn't be Christmas without Chanticleer, and this year you can enjoy it beside your own virtual fire. This is not your average Christmas Yule Log. This Yule Log showcases one of the world's leading ensembles performing the pure sounds of music from long ago. Chanticleer's hauntingly beautiful singing captures the true essence and spirit of Christmas past. So forget all that canned Log music, go for the real thing and feel the warmth of your virtual fire throughout the radiant sounds of Grammy award winning Chanticleer. Fireside with Chanticleer features hauntingly beautiful music from their best selling recording Our Heart's Joy.

Songlist: In dulci jubilo, Ave Maria... Virgo serena, Canite tuba in Sion, Quem vidistis pastores?, There is no rose, Nowell, Joseph, lieber Joseph mein, Psallite unigento, Serenissima una noche, El la don don, Riu, Riu chiu, Ave Maria, I wonder as I wander, A hymn to the Virgin, Il est ne le divin enfant, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, O come, O come, Emmanuel, Silent Night