Betty Bertaux, founder/director of the Children's Chorus of Maryland, is regarded as an authority on vocal and musical development in children. A former faculty member of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and Holy Names College in Oakland, California, she has been professionally active for over 40 years, working with music students of all ages. Dr. Bertaux is internationally recognized and often engaged as a guest conductor and workshop clinician with children's choruses and choral conferences. Currently serving as an adjunct professor for VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Dr. Bertaux is also internationally established and frequently commissioned as a composer and arranger of music for treble choirs.

Songlist: I'll Give My Love An Apple, Nachtlied, Before Rain, Shady Grove, Wondrous Love, A Cloud

Representing a long and glorious tradition of choral publishing, The Augsburg Choirbook brings together in a single volume some of the gems of twentieth-century music. The book is a collection of 67 well-crafted, singable anthems, newly and beautifully engraved. With music appropriate for the various seasons and festivals of the church year. The collection encompases a wide range of styles, voicings, and texts. Topical and scriputral indexes suggest liturgical, scriptural, and thematic uses. This invaluable performance collection also serves as a reference volume.

Songlist: A Christ Mas Carol, A Lenten Walk, A New Magnificat, A Rose Touched By The Sun's Rays, A Song Of Thanksgiving, Ah Holy Jesus, Amazing Grace, Arise My Love My Fair One, Beautiful Saviour, Before The Marvel Of This Night, By The Babylonian Rivers, Children Of Heavenly Father, Christ Sends The Spirit, Come Away To The Skies, Come Risen Lord, Comfort Comfort, Deep Were His Wounds, Easter Morning Peace Be Unto You, For Glory Dawns Upon You, Give Me Jesus, God's Son Has Made Me Free, Hosanna! Blessed Is He, How Far Is It To Bethlehem, I Believe This Is Jesus, In Excelsis Gloria, Jesus Jesus Rest Your Head, Lamb Of God, Midnight Clear, O Blessed Spring, O Paschal Lamp Of Radiant Light, and more

This superb 382-page resource contains more than 350 North American folk songs, carefully sequenced both rhythmically and melodically for use with the Kodály method, which is based on authentic Hungarian folk music. The collection features information about solfege, form, phrase, length, range, rhythmic construction, and more.

Songlist: Jubilee, 1 2 3, Ah Vous Dirai-Je, Maman? (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star), Animal Song, Frog Went A-Courtin', Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Christus Natus Hodie, Goodbye, Old Paint, All The Pretty Little Horses, Let Me Fly, Cumberland Gap, On Springfield Mountain, Jesus Born In Beth'ny, Alphabet Song, I Wonder As I Wander, Daddy Shot A Bear, Down In The Valley, Soldier Boy, Little Bird, Skip To My Lou, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Pretty Saro, London Bridge, The Farmer In The Dell, Hickory Dickory Dock, I Got A Letter This Morning, Riding In A Buggy, Awake, (Go Tell Aunt Rhody) The Ole Grey Goose Is Dead, and more

This useful, inventive collection of sacred solos is a valuable resource for classical singers looking for church service material, or the songs are also appropriate for a traditional recital. The collection includes art-song type settings of traditional songs, plus more conventional classical material. Contents: Ah, Holy Jesus, Amazing Grace, Ave Maria, Balm in Gilead, Brother James'

Songlist: The Call, Ah, Holy Jesus, Deep River, Amazing Grace, We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Sheep May Safely Graze, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (JS Bach), There Is A Balm In Gilead, Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod), Brother James' Air, How Can I Keep From Singing, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Poland Wayfaring Stranger, Wondrous Love

This useful, inventive collection of sacred solos is a valuable resource for classical singers looking for church service material, or the songs are also appropriate for a traditional recital. The collection includes art-song type settings of traditional songs, plus more conventional classical material.

Songlist: The Call, Ah, Holy Jesus, Deep River, Amazing Grace, We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Sheep May Safely Graze, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (JS Bach), There Is A Balm In Gilead, Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod), Brother James' Air, How Can I Keep From Singing, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Poland Wayfaring Stranger, Wondrous Love

A comprehensive collection of over 120 folk favorites, including: All Night, All Day - The Banana Boat Song - Cotton Eyed Joe - Down by the Salley Gardens - Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?) - How Can I Keep from Singing - John Henry - Man of Constant Sorrow - O Happy Day - Pop Goes the Weasel - Somebody's Knockin' at Your Door - Three Blind Mice - and many more.

Songlist: I Know Where I'm Goin', The Lark In The Clear Air, I Never Will Marry, Tom Dooley, I've Got Peace Like A River, The Banana Boat Song, Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door, Soon I Will Be Done (Trouble Of The World), Steal Away (Steal Away To Jesus), Simple Gifts, The Lonesome Road, Goodbye, Old Paint, All Night, All Day, All The Pretty Little Horses, The Bamboo Flute, Ein Prosit Der Gemutlichkeit (To All Good Cheer), Krakowiak (Darling Maiden, Hark, I Ask Thee), Great Day, Down By The Sally Gardens, Siyahamba (We Are Marching In The Light Of God), O Tannenbaum, Water Is Wide, O Happy Day, 'Tis The Last Rose Of Summer, We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Mrs. Murphy's Chowder, Animal Fair, And The Green Grass Grows All Around, Follow The Drinkin' Gourd, Aupres De Ma Blonde (Nearby To My Dear One), and more

75 songs of American heritage, including: All The Pretty Little Horses - Arkansas Traveler - Aura Lee - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair - The Blue Tail Fly - Buffalo Gals (Won't You Come Out Tonight) - Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie - Cotton Eyed Joe - Deep River - Down In The Valley - The Drunken Sailor - Git Along, Little Doggies - Home On The Range - Hush, Little Baby - I've Been Working On The Railroad - Joshua (Fit The Battle Of Jericho) - Never Said A Mumblin' Word - Oh! Susanna - Old Joe Clark - The Red River Valley - She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain - Shenandoah - Simple Gifts - Steal Away - The Streets Of Laredo - Wayfaring Stranger - and many more!

Songlist: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, The Wabash Cannon Ball, Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door, Soon I Will Be Done (Trouble Of The World), Steal Away (Steal Away To Jesus), This Little Light Of Mine, Simple Gifts, The Lonesome Road, All My Trials, All The Pretty Little Horses, Frankie And Johnny, Deep River, Down In The Valley, Skip To My Lou, Turkey In The Straw, Animal Fair, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, When The Saints Go Marching In, Arkansas Traveler, Home On The Range, I've Been Working On The Railroad, Yankee Doodle Boy, Aura Lee, Standin' In The Need Of Prayer (Standing In The Need Of Prayer), Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, There Is A Balm In Gilead, The Red River Valley, John Henry, Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me, and more

Three man, one woman a cappella Bluegrass a cappella quartet Blue Cheese was formed in the Fall of 2003 when two choir conductors from Brigham Young University got together to perform "Some Day" by Blue Highway. They searched among their musically talented friends until they had the perfect quartet, and the group continues to perform their foot-stomping', soul-stirring music in the semiannual BYU A Cappella Jam and in local venues, looking for crowds who know how to shout "Hallelujah!" There are 17 down-home Bluegrass Gospel cuts here:"Gospel Train," "John," "Fishers of Men," "Rise Up Lazarus," the lovely hymn "Amazing Grace," "Traveling Shoes," "Higher Power," "Go Rest High," "Some Day," "Hallelujah" and "Christmas in Dixie" are favorites, but every song here is a heartfelt winner. Sweet country harmonies, lyrics that alternately inspire and make us laugh-Blue Cheese has a powerful simplicity that we never tire of hearing. Great stuff!

Songlist: Gospel Train, John, Down in the River, Fishers of Men, Rise up Lazarus, Daniel Prayed, Wondrous Love, Amazing Grace, Traveling Shoes, Higher Power, Go Rest High, Some Day, What a Time, Hallelijah, Christmas in Dixie, Away in a Manger

BYU Women's Chorus : Wondrous Love   

Emerging with beauty and grace, well-known Utah choral conductor Jean Applonie has ushered the BYU Women's Chorus into the ranks of BYU's premier auditioned choirs, featured on Tantara Records. Heard previously on best-selling Tantara CDs A Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymns and The Road Home, the BYU Women's Chorus presents its first complete CD with the beautifully executed Wondrous Love.

Songlist: Grace, Wondrous Love, The Snow, Ave Maria, For Good, Sing Creation's Music On, Where Can I Turn for Peace?, The Cloths of Heaven, Bonny Wood Green, Psalm 23, Things that Never Die, The Erie Canal, How Do I Love Thee, Without a Song, Hallelujah

All male, 9-voice a cappella ensemble Cantus, acclaimed by Fanfare as the "premier men's vocal ensemble in the United States," rehearses and performs without a conductor or a music director. "Deep River," Cantus' 2003 album of African-American Spirituals, was so well-received, the group realized that "Singing, in this land we call America, has its roots firmly planted in sacred music." They tells us that the very first book published in the colonies was a Psalter, published in 1640. Tenor Aaron Humble reports, "We were excited to explore the bold shapes and sounds of colonial music and learn how we could juxtapose this unique soundscape with more familiar sacred works like Paul Manz's "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" and Moses Hogan's "Witness."" There are 18 songs here, including some surprising, wonderful cuts like Bobby McFerrin's "The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother)," William Billings' "Anthem, Lamentation Over Boston," the composer's attempt to deal spiritually with the burning of Boston by the British in the American Revolution, its world premiere recording. Other world premiere recordings are "There's a Meeting Here Tonight" arranged by Cantus, "Simple Gifts" arranged by Stephen Caracciolo," "What Have I Done" ("Amazing Grace/House of the Rising Sun," and "Keep Your Lamps," both arranged by Timothy Takach, "Run On (God's Gonna Cut You Down)", arranged by Gary Ruschman, "Been in the Storm" arranged by Cantus, "The Sweet By and By," arranged by Aaron Humble; and "Paradise," arranged by Malcolm Dalglish. Every cut here touches and moves, surprises and delights us-don't miss "That Eternal Day," one of the best of the year!

Songlist: There's a Meeting Here Tonight, Wondrous Love, Simple Gifts, Jewett, What Have I Done, He Never Said a Mumberlin' Word, Run On (God's Gonna Cut You Down), Been In The Storm, Anthem: Lamentation Over Boston, The Sweet By and By, Hallelujah, The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother), Wanting Memories, Paradise, E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, Witness, Keep Your Lamps, Goin' Home

African American Spirituals grew out of the trauma and hope that were mixed together in the terrible crucible of slavery. This unspeakable blemish on the pages of American history proved to be a refiner's fire. Today, we are the beneficiaries. We sing the gold.

Songlist: Every Time I Feel The Spirit, Deep River, Who'll Be A Witness, Wondrous Love, His Eye is On The Sparrow, Talk About A Child, Every Time I Feel The Spirit, Radioland, Amazing Grace, My Lord What a Morning and Morning Trumpet, Rise Up Shepherd And Follow and Go Tell It On The Mountain, Give Me Jesus, Every Time I Feel The Spirit

Paul Halley directs his acclaimed choirs in spirited performances his choral works of with organ and brass accompaniment, from the popular suite Love Songs for Springtime, and the magnificent setting of the Appalachian hymn Wondrous Love.

Songlist: Love Songs for Springtime, The Maypole, The Bailiff's Daughter, Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?, The Despairing Lover, The Lover's Arithmetic, Gloria In Excelsis Deo, Christe Qui Lux Es Et Dies, Jesu, The Very THough of Thee, Verbum Caro Factum Est, What Stood Will Stand, Wondrous Love

An exceptional collection of Appalachia folk music, Tellin' it on the Mountain takes listeners on an inspiring musical journey back to a simpler time in our nation's history. The music is arranged by local composer Samuel Lancaster, who has composed dozens of works for the Colorado Children's Chorale through the years. Lancaster describes the music as "a collection of valuable antiques." At times beautifully simple, the music moves the listener through sweet, whimsical grooves to powerfully complex harmonies and pure excitement. Inspired by Appalachia's traditional Christmas "all-night watch" services where people gathered to sing until the Morning Star appeared, Lancaster calls Tellin' it on the Mountain a "remembrance of people gathering to look for new life and new hope." This CD also features two Chorale favorites never before available on one recording: "Christmas in Colorado" and "This Christmastide."

Songlist: Wonder, Wonder, Go Tell It, Bye And Bye, Cradle Song, Angel Band, Wondrous Love, I Wonder As I Wander, Children Go, This Christmastide, Christmas In Colorado

Renowned conductor/arranger (since 1986) of the Concordia Choir Rene Clausen's firm touch is clear on every note of "Endless Your Grace." For more than 80 years The mixed voice Concordia Choir has affirmed its reputation as one of nation's finest a cappella choirs. 16 wonderfully arranged songs are included in this inspirational, feel-good recording. The Moses Hogan-arranged "Ezekiel Saw De Wheel," "What A Wonderful World," "Come and Taste," "Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord," "Gracious Spirit," "This Little Light," the rousing spiritual "Ain't Got Time to Die," "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel," "Give Me Jesus" and "My God, How Wonderful Thou Art" are favorites, but "Endless" is an impressive, spirited treat throughout!

Songlist: Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, What A Wonderful World, Come and Taste, His Voice, Black Is The Color of My True Love's Hair, Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord, Gracious Spirit, This Little Light, There Is A Balm in Gilead, Ain't Got Time To Die, Pilgrim's Hymn, Wondrous Love, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Give Me Jesus, My God, How Wonderful Thou Art, Beautiful Savior

In this their fifth recording for Nimbus, the Kansas City Chorale are very much on their home turf, with a programme of American sacred music, which includes Randall Thompson's famous Alleluia.

Songlist: Southern Harmony, Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, Come Away to the Skies, Precious Lord, Take My Hand, Shaker Songs, I Want to Shake with Indignation, I've Set My Face for Zion's Kingdom, The Precious Way of Go, Encouragement, The Sacred Harp, Wondrous Love, Saints Bound for Heaven, Sunday Morning, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Alleluia, E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, Sing Me to Heaven, Spirituals, I Wanna Be Ready, We Will March Thro' the Valley, I Want Two Wings, Is There Anybody Here, My God is a Rock, Give Me Jesus

Moira Smiley and VOCO : Circle Square Diamond and Flag   

Moira, Jessica B., Jessica C. and Christine pulled off their unexpected win at the 2007 Harmony Sweeps Finals in San Rafael by digging into old Americana and Eastern European roots. The live, eight-song EP "circle square diamond and flag" includes some songs from that magic night, "Carolina Pines," and "Bring Me Little Water, Silvie." The remaining songs are all "Shape Note" hymns, which flourished in late 18th century-early 19th century New England, where hymn books would fill with these uniquely modal, contrapuntal songs. "Garden Hymn" is a traditional Shape Note song, as are "Parting Friends" and "Wondrous Love." "Return My Soul," written and composed by Moira, the traditional Appalachian song "The Cuckoo" and Wm. Billings' "Africa" round out the songlist. A beautiful, touching collection from Moira and VOCO!

Songlist: Carolina Pines, Bring Me Little Water, Silvy, Garden Hymn, Return My Soul, The Cuckoo, Parting Friends, Wondrous Love, Africa

Originally known as Blue Cheese when this quartet of three men and one woman was formed at Brigham Young University in 2003. Inspired by old-time bluegrass musicians like the Stanley Brothers as well as newer groups like Blue Highway and Signature Sound, Mountain Blue began performing regularly at BYU's semiannual A Cappella Jam. "A Cappella" follows "Roll Back the Stone" and their debut album, "Gospel Train. There are 14 songs here, some favorites are the opening cut "Roll Back the Stone," Gully, Abernathy & Wheeler's powerful "John," Joe Isaacs' "Reaping in the Spirit," and Traditional songs "Down in the River," "Brethren, We Have Met to Worship," "Gospel Train," "Wondrous Love," "Amazing Grace," "Abide with Me," "We'll Soon Be Done" and the classic "Man of Constant Sorrow." Beautiful, authentic, heartfelt harmonies grace these wonderful, foot-tapping, feel-good tunes. Don't miss this powerful, down-home collection from Mountain Blue!

Songlist: Roll Back The Stone, John, Down In the River, Be Thou My Vision, Brethren, We Have Met to Worship, Reaping in the Spirit, Gospel Train, Wondrous Love, Amazing Grace, Hallelujah, I Sing The Mighty Power of God, Abide With Me, We'll Soon Be Done, Man of Constant Sorrow

Stella : Different Skies   

Different Skies is the second release from 7-woman Durham, NC-based a cappella group Stella, the first being the excellent "Gimme Stella." This is a sumptuous, gorgeous collection of 15 tunes, some of which are lightly accompanied by bass, guitar and even a Moroccan riq on the lovely opening cut, "Before This Time Another Year." These 7 women share a love of good stories, eclectic tastes and music from different cultures. Two originals, "Cave Ranger," which reflects on the sexy possibilities of a date with a cave ranger, and "Teenage Girls.," tells the tragic tale of the death of a beloved teenage friend, are marvelous. Other favorites are the sweetly rhythmic "Be Mine (Little Baby)," "Satellites," "My Babe," "I'll Never Leave You Baby," the bluesy "Blue and Lonesome," the stark anti-war song "No More To The Dance," shape-note tune "Wondrous Love," "Shto Si Goro," a gospel tune from the Georgia Sea Islands, the powerful "Kappee," a Finnish folk tale, the poignant ballad "Teenage Girls" and the wonderful American shape note song, "Long Time Traveller." Since first getting together in 1998 to harmonize favorite tunes with each other, the group took the name Stella in 2000 and began to perform publicly in venues such as the NC Museum of Art, Festival for the Eno, Artsplosure, Light Up Durham and Black Mountain, NC's LEAF Festival. Possibly because of this, their sound as a group has taken a huge leap forward-every cut on "Different Skies" is a richly harmonic delight!

Songlist: Before This Time Another Year, Be Mine (Little Baby), Satellites, Northern Cross, My Babe, Cave Ranger, I'll Never Leave You Baby, Blue And Lonesome, Wondrous Love, Shto Si Goro, No More To The Dance, Stretched On Your Grave, Kappee, Teenage Girls, Long Time Traveller

Western Wind : The Happy Journey   

A Delightful and moving compendium of early American song including Shaker Songs, New England Anthems' Folk-hymns and Fuging-Tunes by rough-hewn Yankee tunesmiths Billings, Ingalls, Jenks and Wood. Also featured are Southern Spirituals, both black and white, including the first published version of Amazing Grace (called New Britain) and the first piece of published music written by an American woman, The Promised Land by Miss M Durham.

Songlist: Shaker Songs, The Happy Journey, Now My Dear Companions, Funeral Hymn, Who Will Bow and Bend Like A Willow, From the Moon, New England Anthems, Folk-Hymns and Plain Tunes, Honor to the Hills, Brevity, Sorrow's Tear, Decay, Columbia, Lamentation, Evening Hymn, Complainer, Euroclydon, an Anthem, Southern Spirituals (Black and White), Wake Up, Musgrove, The Bower of Prayer, Weeping Mary, The Angels Done Bowed Down, Calvary, Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass, Wondrous Love, New Britain

Most of the hymns on this recording were written in the 19th century or before, when Americans in general thought more about God than they do today. The hymns and spirituals on this recording are among the great discoveries faith has made about itself, through words and music that now belong to us all. For a period of about 250 years, from the arrival of the Puritans to nearly the end of the 19th century, the most pervasive musical form in America was the hymn. While Protestant hymns and Negro spirituals were certainly the predominant hymnody in America throughout this time, other denominational hymns were written and sung as well. The first hymnal for the Jewish congregation in Charleston, South Carolina was compiled in 1843 and the Shakers have given us some of the most beautiful and interesting religious songs that have been written in America. This recording was made at a live concert at Christ & St. Stephen's Church in New York City. Beautifully sung by the William Appling Singers, this recording will satisfy both the Americana scholar, the music lover and those of faith.

Songlist: Liberty Hall, Rise, Shine, for Thy Light Is A-Coming, Welwyn, Pisgah, Poor Rosy, I've Just Come from the Fountain, Let Us Cheer the Weary Traveler, Nettleton, Wondrous Love, Gospel Train, Shining Shore, More Love, In Mercy, Lord, Beautiful River, Some of These Days, The Old Ship of Zion, St Peter, Missionary Chant, Inching Along, Watchman, Hurry On, My Weary Soul, Morning Trumpet, He's a Mighty Good Leader, Hold On, Resignation, We Shall Walk Through the Valley

Shape-note music refers to a particular system of notation and part singing popularized in the nineteenth century through a series of songbooks, of which the "Sacred Harp," compiled in 1844, was one. Typically sung in four parts, these spirited folk-derived tunes are rough-hewn, having emerged from the English Colonies that were their soil; their subject matter, the sacred and the secular. These songs were sung by and for the people, though displaying a fine musical sensibility; the "Word of Mouth Chorus" (from Plainfield, Vermont) is in top form, singing "Greenwich," "The Better Land," "Northfield" and eighteen others.

Songlist: American Folk Hymns from the Sacred HarpTradition, Northfield, Soar Away, Cowper, Evening Shade, Daniel Read, Elder Edmund Dumas, Eternal Day, Sweet Prospect, North Port, Greenwich, Wondrous Love, Peace and Joy, Parting Friends, Weeping Mary, Alabama, Milford, New Jerusalem, The Better Land, attr. Elkanah Kelsey Dare, attr. Elkanah Kelsey Dare,

A Thanksgiving Of American Folk Hymns is a visual feast from the rich tradition of music at Brigham Young University. As the hour long program begins, an early American landscape of colorful leaves and delicate autumn branches gives way to 400 singers and over a hundred instrumentalists joined in song. To see them, through windows of faith, is to hear beloved favorites anew-Shaker hymns, American folk songs, an African-American spiritual, Southern folk hymns and such classics as Abide With me; 'Tis Eventide and The Battle hymn of the Republic. Voices soar, and we see in the faces of fervent young performers a celebration of the gladness and sorrow that has shaped America-an America we have been and hope to be.

Songlist: Saints Bound for Heaven, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, Simple Gifts, The Morning Trumpet, Come, We That Love the Lord, Wondrous Love, Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal Southern Folk Hymn, Let Me Fly, Cindy American Folk Song, Bound for the Promised Land, Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee, Redeemer of Israel, Third Symphony, How Can I Keep from Singing, Abide With Me; 'Tis Eventide, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Come, Though Fount of Every Blessing