Classical Music

Dale Warland's group stands on more than 30 years of first-rate performances and acclaimed recordings, and this one from 2002 is a fine representative of its sound and singing style, and of its well-loved Christmas repertoire. It's a warm, unaffected, unforced sound colored by natural resonance rather than the excessive vibrato that defines so many American choirs. The ensemble's legato technique is exemplary, and while all sections of this professional choir are superb, the sopranos are particularly notable for their uniformly lustrous tone. The repertoire titles will be very familiar to Christmas choral music fans, although the particular arrangements may not.


Some of these lesser-known settings include Donna Schultz's Il est né, Kirke Mechem's Fum, fum, fum! and Patapan, and director Warland's own Huron Carol and O little town of Bethlehem (set to the Forest Green tune). There are several fine Stephen Paulus contributions--Gabriel's Message and Three Nativity Carols--along with Jan Sandström's delightfully spooky and increasingly popular version of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen. Traditional favorites such as Wilhousky's Carol of the Bells and Norman Luboff's Joseph Dearest also make welcome appearances, and the disc concludes with Malcolm Sargent's (yes, that Malcolm Sargent) simple and lovely arrangement of Silent Night. Harp, oboe, percussion, and bells add occasional strokes of color, and the sound is ideal. In other words, this is a solidly performed, well-recorded program of the old and new (often combined in the same piece) that will fit nicely into any Christmas music collector's library.
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Communicating an essential and universal message of the transforming power of grace and love this recording includes arrange of 20th and 21st century sacred and secular compositions. This recording is the first such project produced by the University of Georgia’s premiere choral ensemble, the international award-winning UGA Hodgson Singers. In 2014 the ensemble was the Grand Prix winner at the International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Baden, Austria, where it also won prizes for outstanding interpretation. Dr. Daniel Bara is the Professor of Music at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia (Athens) overseeing seven university choral ensembles and the graduate choral conducting program. The international award-winning UGA Hodgson Singers was formed by E. Pierce Arant Jr. in the late 1970s as the UGA Concert Choir, and serves as the premiere ambassadorial choral ensemble of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. Comprising UGA’s most gifted and talented vocalists, membership in the Hodgson Singers is contingent upon absolute excellence in musicianship, vocal artistry, and dedication. The ensemble provides vibrant, pre-professional ensemble training for the next generation of singers, choral music educators, and talented choral enthusiasts and performs noteworthy choral repertoire from throughout the Western Music canon, with emphasis on unaccompanied works, recently composed works and baroque and classical masterworks.

This new release centers around the importance of nighttime rituals from different eras and traditions. This album is the first release by the Georgia State University Singers with their current director Deanna Joseph. The ensemble were 2014 finalists for the American Prize in Choral Performance.

The Chenaults are known for commissioning imaginative arrangements of music for two organists. Here they reprise popular Christmas favorites on the Albert Schweitzer Memorial Pipe Organ (built by Ruffatti) in Spivey Hall near Atlanta. Includes "Sleight Ride", "Greensleeves", Carol of the Drum, Gesu Bambino, White Christmas and many others. - Gothic Records

Ross Lee Finney’s Psalm pieces are contemporary settings of the Ainsworth Psalter- an inspirational collection of hymns that was carried by the pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620. Finney wrote of this collection: “These melodies are among America’s greatest folk heritage, influencing sacred singing through each singing.” Andrew Clark is the Director of Choral Activities and Senior Lecturer on Music at Harvard University. He also serves as Music Director and Conductor of the Harvard Glee Club, the Radcliffe Choral Society, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Museum. He has long been praised by critics for his ensembles’ outstanding performances. The Boston Globe called his choirs “first rate,” Opera News said his ensembles were “beautifully blended,” and the Worcester Telegram wrote that his performances achieve “passion, conviction, adrenaline, and coherence.”

In this live recording- the second in The Dale Warland Live series- selected works of two 20th century composers, one British and the other American, are performed with exquisite choral acumen. The program consists of Benjamin Britten’s acclaimed ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ and Daniel Pinkham’s ‘Christmas Cantata’ with brass and organ. In addition, Pinkham’s rarely performed ‘Company at the Creche’ is included with four other Christmas works. The distinguished career of choral composer and conductor Dale Warland spans more than six decades and has made a profound contribution to the music of our time. As conductor, composer and founder of the Grammy-nominated Dale Warland Singers, he is one of only three choral conductors inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.

Arrangements of five Shaker songs by Kevin Siegfried provide the structure for this album of 20th and 21st century choral works. The texts for this program explore themes of peace, a parent’s love, and awe in God’s creation, concluding with two motets for Advent and Christmas. This extraordinary choir is directed by Deanna Joseph and recorded in the warm acoustics of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. The internationally award-winning Georgia State University Singers is the School of Music’s premier vocal ensemble. In May of 2017, the University Singers won first place in the renowned Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition. “…the choir sings with great musicality, excellent intonation, clear diction, and a healthy and beautiful pallet of tone colors…” (The Choral Scholar)

Craig Phillips, a leading composer of new American Anglican choral music, is presented here in his first album as a conductor. The program of music for All Saints' includes the iconic hymns "For All the Saints" and "Amazing Grace," contemporary motets by Tavener, Pärt and four premiere recordings of Phillips' new compositions. Craig Phillips is a distinguished and popular American composer and organist and Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, Beverly Hills. His choral and organ music is heard Sunday by Sunday in churches and cathedrals across the United States, and many of his works have been performed in concert throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He was named the American Guild of Organists Distinguished Composer for 2012 — the seventeenth recipient of this special award. Dr. Phillips joins an illustrious list that includes past honorees Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, Daniel Pinkham, Stephen Paulus, David Hurd and others. In 2015 Dr. Phillips was named an honorary canon of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, Diocese of Los Angeles, at a gala event at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and in 2016 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary.

Choral Arts newest release features the music of Eric Barnum. In "Life Stories" the composer sets poetry about love in different times and situations in life. Mr. Barnum is Director of Choral Music at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He holds a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, an advanced degree in conducting from Minnesota State University as well as BA degrees in Composition and Vocal Performance from Bemidji State University (MN). Barnum’s choral music has become particularly popular with high school choirs, with many of them commissioning new works from him. Robert Sparks assembled Choral Arts from Seattle’s best singers for a choral concert directed by famed Swedish conductor Erik Erikson. Following the concert, the group decided to continue under Sparks’ leadership, quickly becoming Seattle’s premiere choral ensemble. In 2007, Robert Bode became AD, and in 2010 Bode and Choral Arts won the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America. Also in 2010, Choral Arts’ Gothic CD, “Mornings Like This” won the American Prize for choral recorded music. In 2013, “Shall We Gather at the River” placed second in the America Prize. They have again been nominated for the American Prize in 2014.

Includes christmas carol(s) by various composers. Ensembles: Washington Men's Camerata, Washington Symphonic Brass.

Hailed as"Portland's finest large choir" this Oregon Repertory Singers album includes favorite pieces selected from 50 years of performances, many from the Glory of Christmas concerts. Composers Ola Gjeilo, Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, and Eriks Esenvalds are joined by ORS choristers/composers Naomi LaViolette and Stacey Philipps.

Emma Whitten performs on the re-envisioned and restored Hazel Wright Organ in Christ Cathedral’s fresh acoustical space. “Every time I play The Hazel Wright Organ, I discover something new - it is truly a joy to play! I’m thrilled that the music on this recording showcases the entire instrument, from exquisite solo colors to the breathtaking power of full organ.”

Emma Whitten is an accomplished organist specializing in early Baroque and contemporary repertoire. Dr. Whitten serves as Associate Organist at Christ Cathedral (formerly Crystal Cathedral) in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County, California. As Associate Organist, Emma plays for major liturgies at the Cathedral and accompanies the Diocesan Choir. Emma also acts as Music Coordinator at the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception in San Diego, and maintains a private teaching studio in Oceanside, California. Emma holds degrees in organ performance from the University of Notre Dame (2009), University of Kansas (2011), and Arizona State University (2014), where she received her D.M.A. studying with Kimberly Marshall.

Music plays an integral role in Jewish worship. The songs on this album are selected from the traditional liturgy of the important Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Baritone Stephen Kalm gives nuanced renditions, with collaborative artist Douglas Cleveland playing piano. Flute, violin, cello, vocal soloists, and the University of Montana Chamber Chorale join throughout this exceptional release.

The award-winning East Carolina University Chamber Singers, under the direction of James Franklin, perform a nuanced musical meditation of hopeful celebration and comfort. The album represents a journey through a period of silence; isolation gives way to the sounds of voices singing.

Few pipe organs in history have received as much attention as the iconic “Hazel.” David Ball’s performance takes full advantage of this “King of Instruments’” potential. “It is always an honor to sit in front of Hazel’s console and play,” said David Ball, Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry. “I am continuously in awe of the sheer power and breadth of this amazing instrument.” Juilliard-trained organist David L. Ball serves as Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, California (formerly Crystal Cathedral).

David is a recognized and well-lauded performer—The New York Times declared his appearance in Juilliard’s FOCUS! Festival “a rousing performance.” David completed both the Bachelor and Master of Music at The Juilliard School in New York City, studying under Mr. Paul Jacobs. As Christ Cathedral Organist, David’s musical contributions underpin the Cathedral’s vast array of weekly services and events, accompanying the Diocesan, Cathedral, and Children’s Choirs and supporting the parish’s diverse congregation.

Discover all of Hazel's story in this dynamic documentary release! The iconic Hazel Wright Organ of Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, is the world’s most widely heard pipe organ and the fifth largest. First built in 1982 and heard worldwide by millions on the Rev. Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power” broadcast from the former Crystal Cathedral, Hazel now enjoys a renewed musical life following her full restoration in 2022 by the Diocese of Orange. Hazel is an icon of the musical world with a unique history. This is her story.