Aurora Chorus : Full Circle   

Since Portland OR's Aurora Chorus-women in harmony for peace, was founded by David York in 1992, it has provided both novice and experienced singers the opportunity to transform a love of singing into an outstanding ensemble experience. Aurora welcomes singers at all skill levels, without competitive auditions, and maintains a membership of over 100 singers. Led by director and composer Joan Symko (Aurora has premiered over 30 of her compositions and arrangements), the ensemble produces two major concerts, and performs at several community outreach events every year. Singer, songwriter and performing/recording artist Betsy Rose joins the group in the 19 songs on "Full Circle." Some favorites are Betsy's "Open Up and Let Her Through," "A Circle of Women Singing" and "Welcome to the Circle," Joan's "The Summer Day" and "I AM," the Shaker tune "Come Pretty Love," Diane Benjamin's "Somebody," Cris Williamson's "Sister," David York's "Aurora" and Beatrice Johnson Reagon's "Well, Enough Said About That!" There is some light accompaniment of piano, cello, violin, flute, bazouki, hand drums and percussion. All the cuts are beautiful, deeply-felt pieces that touch and move us-come join Aurora's joyous 10th Anniversary celebration!

Songlist: Open Up and Let Her Through, Come Pretty Love, The Summer Day, I Am, Woman Am I, Welcome To The Circle, Somebody, Sister, Miriam, Against the Wind, Aurora, Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Take Heart, How Can I Keep From Singing, Prayer For The Warriors, Well Enough Said About That!, Listening, Coloring Outside The Lines, A Circle Of Woman Singing

We have always loved Toronto's Bach Children's Chorus, founded in 1987 and comprised of 185 singers aged 6 and up in four choirs. Conductor Linda Beaupre directs these wonderfully trained choirs in 21 tunes in "Land of Tomorrow," all accompanied by light piano and sometimes percussion. Some favorites are "Psalm 100," "The Little Sandman," "Skylark and Nightingale," "Somewhere a Child is Singing," "Ballerine du Vent," "The Grey Donkey," "Give Ear Unto Me" and "Niska Banja" by Choir III, "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild" by Choir II, "Hark the Tiny Cowslip Bell" by Choir I, "Blessing" by the Bach Chamber Youth Choir and "Song for Canada" by All Choirs. These sweet, innocent voices are a joy to listen to on every well-chosen, finely-crafted cut. Treat yourself to "Land of Tomorrow" by one of Canada's finest children's choruses! PS, the extensive liner notes have all the lyrics and some great photos.

Songlist: Psalm 100, The Little Sandman, Yo le Canto Todo el Dia, Skylark and Nightingale, Cantate Domino, Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild, Hark the Tiny Cowslip Bell, Sing a Song, Come, Let Us All This Day, Dirait-On, Somewhere A Child Is Singing, I Waited For The Lord, Ballerine du Vent, The Grey Donkey, O Rest In The Lord, Give Ear Unto Me, Niska Banja, A Croon, Laus Deo, Blessing, Song For Canada

With beloved American folk music, art songs, international pieces and original works commissioned especially for the Children's Chorale, this CD will be a cherished addition to your collection. Includes the Children's Chorale classic: "The Colorado Song."

Songlist: Look To This Day, There Is Sweet Music, Ha-Ja-Ja, Ho-Ja-Ja-, Hoj, Hura Hoj, Life Has Lovieliness To Sell, Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Had I The Heaven's Embroided Cloths, Tom Sawyer, River Song, Gratifaction, The Road To Canterbury, Dreams III, I Follow Melodies, Danville Klude, Home On The Range, America, The Beautiful, Colorado, Clap Yo' Hands

This recording celebrates two decades of educating, developing and inspiring musically talented children and helping them attain the highest level of choral artistry. Building upon a tradition of excellence this top-notch choir provides a comprehensive music education and performance program for children from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. This CD represents repertoire that choristers have learned and performed throughout the 20 years and clearly demonstrate that their reputation for excellence is well deserved.

Songlist: Jubilant The Music, Pie Jesu, Jazz-Man, Path To The Moon, Laudemus, Non Nobis Domine, Mayim, Mayim, Schmuckt Das Frohe Fest Mit Maien, Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, This Christmas Tide, Carol Of The Bels, The Psalm From El Nino, Cantique De Jean Racine, Noel Des Enfants Qui N'ont Plus De MAison, Dana Nobis Pacem / GIve Us Peace, Song For Mira, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Sound Of The Trumpet, La Fiera De Mast' Andereat

One of the most popular music ensembles at Northfield, MN's St. Olaf College is the 100-strong Manitou Singers, comprised of 100 first year women's voices. Manitou sings at the opening worship service of the college; at daily chapel and church services, the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, its own Spring concert and others. Their repertoire includes the sacred, the secular and even popular ballads. On "Repertoire for Women's Voices, Vol. 6," well-respected Director Sigrid Johnson leads Manitou's clear, soaring voices in 18 beautiful, mostly piano-accompanied songs; some favorites are Gyorgy Orban's 4-part "Mass #6," a pair by David M. Childs, "I Am Not Yours" and "She Walks In Beauty;" a pair by Joan Szymko, "The Peace of Wild Things" and "I Dream A World;" Z. Randall Stroope's "Dies Irae;" Michael Cleveland's "Come to Me" among many others. A delicate, lovely collection from this young, talented group!

Songlist: Mass No. 6, Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus, Agnus De, Sicilian Lullaby, The Peace of Wild Things, Las Amarillas, Little Star, I am Not Yours, Exsultate, Jubilate, Ubi Caritas, Dies Ira, She Walks in Beauty, Little David, Play On Your Harp, Come to Me, Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, The White Rose/, I Dream a World

Composed of four ensembles and including members of diverse faiths, races, social and economic backgrounds, the Minnesota Boychoir boasts over 100 members, representing the Twin Cities and over 25 suburbs. "Forty & Fine" refers to the year of the group's founding, 1962, to the date of this recording, 2002. Included are 19 of the MB's favorite and most-requested songs. Plenty of (piano-accompanied) religious and spiritual songs are here, "Festival Sanctus," "The Storm is Passing Over," the lovely "Quando Corpus Morietur & Amen," "Rise Up, O Men of God," "Steal Away," "Zion's Walls," "Freedom Come," "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" and many others. Secular tunes like "Loch Lomond," Michael McGlynn's "Dulaman," John David's wonderful a cappella "You are the New Day" and Ysaye M. Barnwell's haunting "Wanting Memories" are other favorites. In fact, every one of these songs touches and moves us-a truly beautiful collection!

Songlist: Festival Sanctus, Pie Jesu, The Strom Is Passing Over, The Gift To Be Simple, Rise Up, O Men Of God, Steal Away, Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Quando Corpus Morietur & Amen, Wind, You Are The New Day, Wanting Memories, Zion's Walls, Freedom Come, Lux Aeterna, The Lord Bless You And Keep You, Loch Lomond, Dulaman, Worthy To Be Praised, If Music Be The Food Of Love

The 190 singers of the renowned, Seattle-base Northwest Girlchoir, ages 4-18 and divided into groups named "Fresca," "Amabile," "Vivace," "Amore" and "Ensemble," bring us a strong collection of favorites from their concert performances, from 2006 to 2008. Among these 22 mostly piano-accompanied tunes are some wonderful gems, including Stephen Paulus' title tune," Benjamin Britten's "A New Year Carol" and the very funny "My True Love Gave to Me" by Fresca; Janet Gardner's "Morning" and "Jazzy St. Nick" by Amabile; Amy F. Bernon's "On Wind, On Wing" and the Bulgarian folk song "Nikolo le, Kikolcho le" by Vivace; the Hungarian-Canadian folk song "Morning Star" and Irving Berlin's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" by Ensemble, Dede Duson's "Dawn" and R. Murray Schafer's "Snowforms" by Amore; and Z. Randall Stroope's "Omnia Sol" and Stephen Hatfield's "Living in a Holy City." A very special collection from the sweet, clear voices of NWGC!

Songlist: Daybreak, The Lake Isle of Innisfree, A New Year Carol (from Friday Afternoons), My True Love Gave to Me, Morning, El Desembre Congelat, Jazzy Old Saint Nick, Noel, Noel, On Wind, On Wing, Nikolo le, Nikolcho le, Morning Star, You are the New Day, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Dawn, Snowforms, Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus maisons, Choose Something Like a Star, African Celebration, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Yo Le Canto Todo el Dia, Omnia Sol, Living in a Holy City

Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Girls Chorus, for girls 11-16, conducted by Sharon J. Paul, has established an international reputation through appearances at concerts,festivals and competitions, and radio programs such as NPR. Technically, this CD is by Chorissima, the 41-strong acclaimed concert and touring ensemble of the SFGC. This is a powerful, impressive, internationally-flavored CD of 17 songs most lightly accompanied, from David Brunner's "Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia," and Pablo Casals' "Nigra Sum," to the Mexican folk song "Las Amarillas." The beautiful, extensive liner notes have all the words. Marvelous!

Songlist: Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Nigra Sum, Como Tu, Schlof Main Kind, Heaven Bound Train, Deep River, J'entend Le Moulin, My Lagan Love, Bellbird, Rainbird, Niska Banja, Taivas On Sininen, Picking The Seedpods Of Lotus, The Cataract Of Mount Lu, Queen Jane, Sachaki, Sachaki, Las Amarillas

The St. John's Boys' Choir has been delighting audiences from their base in central Minnesota, throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Canada and England since their founding in 1981. Consisting of several divisions, including the Recorder Ensemble, Training Choir, Junior Varsity Choir and Concert Choir, the Choir seeks to teach music literacy to the boys, who come from many parts of Minnesota. "The Promise of Living" commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Choir, and is a compilation of live performances and recording sessions from 2001-05, and includes the Alumni Choir. 16 songs, all lightly accompanied: Aaron Copland's "Zion's Walls" and the title tune, Karl Jenkins' lovely "Adieamus," Morten Lauridsen's "Dirait-on," Brant Adams' "Exsultate justi in Domino," "Ave Marias" by Franz Biebl and Zoltan Kodaly, Pablo Casals' "Nigra Sum," the American Folk Song "Dance, Boatman, Dance," and Douglas E. Wagner's "Bright is the Ring of Words" are some favorites. You may count us among the SJBC's many delighted audiences!

Songlist: Zion's Walls, Adieamus, Ave Maria, Dirait On, Salve Regina, Exsultate justi in Domino, Ave Maria, Prayer of the Children, Ave Maria, Tota pulchra es, Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Nigra Sum, Dance Boatman, Dance, Songs Eternity, Bright is the Ring of Words, The Promise of Living

Vox Femina : Still I Rise   

Los Angeles' 31-strong women's ensemble Vox Femina blew us away with their 2002 debut album "Simply," and we have waited a long time to be able to hold CD #2 in our hot little hands. "Still I Rise," directed by Dr. Iris S. Levine and accompanied by Lisa Edwards on piano, celebrates Vox Femina's 10th anniversary season, highlighting the best of Vox's live performances. The 15 very different songs share fine arranging, flawless performances, and the exciting fact that they are live recordings. The rhythmic opening cut "Odi Odi," the spiritual "Deep River," Hildegard von Bingen and Roger Bourland's "O viridissima virga/Both Page and Pen;" Debussy's "Salut Printemps;" Ysaye M. Barnwell's lovely "Breaths;" Roy Brown's "Sky Dances;" Stuart Stotts' "Music in My Mother's House," Holly Near's "Imagine my Surprise;" Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's "At the Ballet" and the title tune by Rosephanye Powell are some favorites. But Vox is very special group of women, a bridge-building group, and each of these songs needs to be listened to, appreciated and savored. Besides piano, you might hear some flute, drums, bass, guitar, oboe and zils. Exquisite!

Songlist: Odi Odi, Ah! si mon moine voulait danser, Deep River, O viridissima virga /, Both Page and Pen, Salut Printemps, Ya Faraoule, Breaths, Yo le Canto Todo el Dia, Sky Dances, Sweet Woman, Music in My Mother's House, Imagine my Surprise, At the Ballet, Closer to Fine, Still I Rise