Hymn singing is fundamental in protestant churches, but not normally the subject of an album released worldwide. The musicianship presented here is singular, sung by two volunteer choirs with power and emotion. The inspired arrangements heard on this recording have developed over decades of working with wonderful choirs and congregations, as well as by singing with, and listening to, many inspired colleagues. Some of the descants were conceived for particular services, while other arrangements grew further for special occasions. Several of the brass arrangements were composed for the ordination and consecration of the Rt. Rev. Alan Gates as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in 2014. Australians Michael S. Murray and Stuart Forster have worked together for more than 20 years, including conducting and accompanying in one another’s Episcopal churches, Christ Church in Cambridge and Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill, located on opposite sides of the river Charles in Boston, Massachusetts, and during choir tours throughout America and Europe. Waiting and planning for the right moment to share their combined parish traditions of engaged singing from the vast legacy of hymnody bestowed upon the Anglican tradition has been fulfilled in this album. The installation of the exquisite Schoenstein organ at Church of the Redeemer, the restoration of the acoustic in Henry Vaughan’s exquisite architecture, and the publication of some of Stuart Forster’s hymn arrangements made the timing just right. What you will hear on this album is a superlative combined choir of about eighty voices singing some of the best-known hymns accompanied by a newly designed organ as they’ve never been heard before.

The TANGOSTORIA album is a continuation of one of BANDONEGRO’s projects, in which the musicians focus on the traditional tango. The album refers to the greatest creators of this genre and is a response to the constantly growing interest in Argentine culture. We can find here the greatest hits of sung tango such as: ‘Sur,’ ‘Remembranza’ or ‘Ballada Para un Loco,’ but also the most interesting traditional tangos, selected by the ensemble, by such composers as Juan D’Arienzo, Alfredo Gobbi, Anibal Troilo, Horacio Salgan or Astor Piazzolla. Despite the considerable variety of styles presented by the aforementioned composers, the album is a closed, coherent whole, and it is listened to as a story with its necessary elements of introduction, development and ending. The musicians from Bandonegro invited Uruguayan vocalist Andres Martorell to cooperate. By adding new, fresh arrangements of existing pieces, they created a project with no expiry date. Undoubtedly, Bandonegro’s trip to Buenos Aires in 2019 had an impact on the interpretations of the works present on the album. The experience gained during that tour resulted in new ideas, one of which was recording this album. ‘Traditional tango is an inseparable element of Argentine culture, based on a strong relationship between music and dance. As musicians dealing with this genre, we want to cultivate these traditions, as evidenced by the album Tangostoria.’ The album was recorded six months after Bandonegro’s trip to Buenos Aires.

A glorious choral Christmas collection of music from around the world! Through Chris de Silva’s incredible choral writing and inspired instrumental scoring, the themes of Christmas are exquisitely retold – those of light, darkness, shepherds, angels, heaven, earth, fear, wonder, peace, joy, silence, and sound. Chris de Silva’s formal, classical composition training shines through on each piece. From the joyfully powerful “Singing, We Come Singing” to the regal “The Child Is Born in Bethlehem” and the dance-like “Shepherds on to Bethlehem,” each of these eight pieces work beautifully as stand-alone choices for your choir’s Christmas celebrations. Together, the pieces would work well as part of a well-rounded lessons and carols service. For choral music lovers, the Mysterium recording will become one of your seasonal favorites!

Sublime and calming plainchant and celebrations of Gloria, Kyrie, Sanctus and Magnificat invoke the glories of the Christian faith. A rich sound, a fine acoustic and expressive music lift the spirits. This release is perfect for meditation and relaxation during a quiet moment of the day. Ensembles featured on this masterful compilation include the Oxford Girls’ Choir directed by Richard Vendome, Magdala directed by David Skinner, Singscape conducted by Sarah Tenant-Flowers, The Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge directed by David Skinner, The Monks and Novices of St. Frideswide, and more.

GIA Publications, Inc. is pleased to offer Easter in Ireland, our first recording by Steve Warner and The Newman Vocare Ensemble, music ministers at the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin, Ireland. This album offers a taste of the rich fabric of sounds found in Ireland. It is a merging of traditions: four-part choral singing; Uilleann pipes, low whistle, harp and harmonium; strings, organ and guitar. All of the selections are directed toward the joy of Easter. The available octavos and downloads include choral anthems, hymns, refrain songs, psalmody and liturgical items for use in any parish. This recording also honors one of the newest and most celebrated saints, St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, who commissioned the building of University Church, home to the Newman Vocare Ensemble and site of this recording.

One of the world’s most salient features is that there is so much trouble, but one of the world’s deepest hopes is for something better. A better life. A better place. A better world that transcends our troubles. A haven. A Heaven. A full home and a final one. The tension between these two ideas (trouble and transcendence) is the binding theme of this collection of choral works. Each piece takes up some aspect of that theme. Some describe the sorrow and tragedy of this world. Some express fear and trembling at the cost of redeeming it. Most of the works express a hope for a better world. The implications of the difference between trouble and transcendence is most deeply explored in the centerpiece of the collection, “Prayers of Kierkegaard.”

Ranging from timeless hymns of devotion to powerful Christian songs, Vocal Point's highly anticipated inspirational album highlights the Savior's love for the one, His mission, divinity, and ultimately-His grace. Vocal Point was founded in 1991 by two students at Brigham Young University. Dave Boyce and Bob Ahlander first heard the contemporary a cappella sound during a visit to the eastern U.S., where it had already grown to considerable popularity at colleges throughout the east. Seeking to bring that sound westward, Dave and Bob recruited Jill Petersen-Lex to serve as the group's first Artistic Director. The three held auditions in the fall of 1991. After the members were selected and began singing, the nine-man group became an instant hit on campus, selling out it's very first concert. In Fall 1994, the ensemble was adopted into the School of Music.

Take Nothing for the Journey was a labor of love for composer David Haas. He has been captivated by Franciscan spirituality since childhood. Over the years this draw deepened and was nurtured by Franciscans who have walked with him on his journey. Whether used in your liturgical celebrations or for your personal spiritual journey, the songs in this collection are meant to strengthen the love of God's faithful and to inspire others to discover the divine fire found in the hearts of saints Francis and Clare. They are a reflection of and tribute to the lives these two saints lived–their care for others, the earth, and all its creatures. It is our hope that the sung prayers of Take Nothing for the Journey will offer you encouragement as you come to embrace the vast richness of the Franciscan tradition, deepen your prayer life, and become closer to God.

From the Introduction to the hymnal... One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism contains selections of diverse styles and genres, including traditional ecumenical hymns, contemporary texts written for the twenty-first-century church, praise and worship selections, music from Taizé, The Iona Community, choral responses, responsorial psalmody, traditional and contemporary gospel music, and Negro spirituals.