It Came Across A Midnight Clear Do You Hear What I Hear Toyland You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch O Come, O Come Emmanuel Hanukkah Medley Carol Of The Bells The Little Drummer Boy Mary Had A Baby O Holy Night Betelehemu (Nigerian Christmas Song) Hallelujah Chorus

Pride of St. Charles, MO, 160-strong Ambassadors of Harmony, who won SPEBSQSA International Chorus Gold in July, 2004 in Louisville, KY, bring us a richly-textured, powerful Christmas collection, joined by '04 Collegiate Quartet winners Vocal Spectrum and AOH offshoot Gas House Gang. The really top-drawer barbershop groups have the great arrangements to go with the ringing harmonies, and "Holidays" earns high marks in this department. "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," "Do You Hear What I Hear," "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," "Hanukkah Medley," "The Little Drummer Boy," "Mary Had A Baby," the Nigerian Christmas Song "Betelehemu" and Handel's magnificent "Hallelujah Chorus"…each song is a flawless gem. What could be better for the holidays?

Listen to "It Came Across A Midnight Clear" in Real Audio.

Acoustix: Cool Yule

Cool Yule Silver Bells You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch The Christmas Song Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells Happy Holidays / Holiday Season Medley The First Noel Pine Cones and Holly Berries / It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Medley Little Saint Nick O Little Town of Bethlehem Mary Had a Baby Auld Lang Syne

Acoustix are one of the most consistently impressive barbershop groups performing today. "Cool Yule," their first holiday-themed recording, will add to their legend. Greg Volk arranged several songs, including "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," (sung by bass Joel Rutherford, who also contributed two arrangements). Two Beach Boys scores, "Auld Lang Syne" and "Little Saint Nick," and a Mervyn Warren (of Take 6) chart, "The First Noel," show the quartet's burgeoning versatility, and it sounds great. For those listeners who prefer Acoustix to stay close to their barbershop origins, the locked-in chords of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" and "Mary Had A Baby" will be a treat. About half accompanied in swinging big band style.

Listen to Silver Bells in Real Audio.

Big Chicken Chorus: We Need a Little Christmas

Good News: The Heart of Christmas

Kindred Spirits: Rekindled

This multiple gold-medal award winning chorus is consistently delightful. Directed by Dr. Greg Lyne, their sound is immense, yet compact. With marvelous adaptations of favorites such as "Joy To The World" (where the use of dynamics, stepwise motion and rhythmic variation between voice-parts creates a surprising excitement), or the "Christmas Waltz Medley" (featuring "My Favorite Things"), the Masters of Harmony are never predictable. The "Gift Carol," a Catalonian folk carol with a delicate and exquisitely harmonized melody in 3/4, is a highlight.

Listen to "Feast Of Lights" in Real Audio

Jingle Bell Rock Silent Night The Christmas Song Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer/ Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Medley Coventry Carol A Holly Jolly Christmas Do You hear What I Hear? Carol Of The Bells Psalm 98/ Shalom The Christmas Song It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Christmas Chopstix Jingle Bells

Since their formation in 1960, the Melodeers, a 125-member Sweet Adelines Chorus, have won the International Championship twice in succession (1997, 1998). Their energetic and vivacious style must also be credited to their redoubtable director, Jim Arns, who also wrote some of the arrangements. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" offers every imaginable variation (echo, contrast motion, swipes, modulation) of the familiar refrain, and sets up the grand finale with a turnaround, pushing the phrasing to make room for a zestful seventh chord and another key change. "Psalm 98/Shalom" begins on a long open note, gradually converging to the dominant; the subsequent section is a rapid fire allegro, broken by a repetitive adagio two-part interlude. Sound unconventional? It is. "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" are among the many traditionals. The Chorus lets loose on "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer."

Listen to "The Christmas Song" in Real Audio

Mission Valley Chorus: Home For The Holidays

A nice assortment of Christmas songs from this Sweet Adelines chorus, who medaled at last year's international competition, under the direction of Shirley Kout. The group, who was founded in 1958, offers a nice barbershop rendition "Good King Wenceslas"; they toy with the familiar refrain and resolve it in an unexpected way. Other songs include "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "Dormi, Dormi" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." 5291 CD $14.98

New Tradition Chorus: For All Your Miracles

Come and See What's Happenin Festive Carol Medley Over the River and Through the Woods Here We Come A Wassailing Boar's Head Carol Deck The Halls I'll Be Home for Christmas / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas The Christmas Rag Away In a Manger / Amazing Grace For All Your Miracles The Christ Child Medley Lo How A Rose E're Blooming The Holly and the Ivy Coventry Carol The First Noel Feast of Lights Have You Seen the Child Bell Carol Medley Ding Dong Merrily on High I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Carol of the Bells Jingle Bells More Than Enough

After winning 13 consecutive medals in as many years, the New Tradition ChorusÊwas crowned International Chorus Champion of the Barbershop Harmony Society in 2001. In this their third holiday recording, the New Tradition combines their warm, rich sound with exquisite arrangements by director Jay Giallombardo. Their recordings just keep getting better and better but this one clearly reaches a new high standard.ÊThe album includesÊfavorites like "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and more contemporary titles like "Come and See What's HappeninÕ in the Barn". Jay's arrangement of "Away in the Manger / Amazing Grace" is as soft and gentle as a newborn baby and "Christmas Rag" is just plain fun. When you hear this inspiring collection, you'll want to make this recording a permanent part of your holiday celebration.

Listen to " For All Your Miracles" in Real Audio

And now, ladies and gentlemen, up on the stage, resplendent in their "76 trombones" uniforms, the pride of Northbrook, Illinois, directed by Jay Giallombardo, current SPEBSQSA Chorus Champions New Tradition are here with a very strong new Christmas CD! Christmas being all about tradition, nostalgia, spirit and sweet singing, "A Holiday Tradition!" is a winner on all counts. Enough said, except hereÕs the songlist: "In The First Light," "What Child Is This?," "Hark the Herald/Angels We Have Heard On High," "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy," "Silent Night," "O Holy Night," "O Little Town Of Bethlehem," "I Have Seen The Light," "Deck The Halls," "Silver Bells," "Let It Snow," "March Of The Wooden Soldiers," "Light The Legend," "Sing A Song Of Hannukah" and "The Prayer." Enjoy!

Listen to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in Real Audio

Pot O' Gold Chorus: Season's Greetings

This Northern California-based barbershop men's chorus, noted for its wonderful, rich sound, offers you "Season's Greetings," a big collection of Christmas favorites that will warm your hearth and become a part of your holiday tradition. We are talking classic Christmas music here, and Pot O'Gold does it justice. We should all be so lucky to go caroling with such a talented and spirited group ... and now we can! Put Season's Greetings on the cd player, and you may find yourself in the kitchen, covered with flour and cookie cutter in hand, singing lustily along, hopefully in harmony! 5467 CD $12.98

Ramapo Valley Chorus: A Gift Of Love

New York City's Sweet Adelines favorite Ramapo Valley Spotlight Chorus, who tell us they're based only 45 minutes from Broadway, bring that Broadway magic and panache to an ambitious, energetic Christmas CD. First we have "Happy Holidays/Winter Wonderland," "Deck the Halls/Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Toyland," "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen," "Jingle Bell Rock," "I Wonder As I Wander," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "Christmas Was Meant For Children" and "Hanukkah." Then comes "A Child Is Born" and a dramatic and touching Christmas narrative/medley, narrated by Renee Craig, "A Gift of Love." Included are "Gloria," "A Child Is Born in Bethlehem," "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow," "A Baby In A Cradle" and five others. There is some light flute, guitar and piano accompaniment on some songs. This CD might have been titled "Christmas on Broadway" ... we like the spirit of RVSC, and we enjoyed "A Gift of Love!" Listen to "I'll Be Home For Christmas" in Real Audio 5379 CD $14.98

Reprise: 'Tis The Season

Deck the Hall Away in a Manger What Child is This? Santa Claus is Coming to Town I wonder what you're doing for Christmas Star of Bethlehem Christ is Born Coventry Carol Jingle Bells They Followed the Star An Old-Fashioned Christmas Christmas Time is Here White Christmas Silent Night

What better way to celebrate the Christmas season than with Barber Shop Christmas carols! Reprise blesses us with yet another fine recording, this time presenting us with some of our yuletide favorites. Besides the beautiful arrangements of the standard Christmas carols, we have an added treat of hearing each of the members of Reprise showcasing their individual talents by performing solos with piano accompaniment, including an original song, "They Followed The Star," written and performed by Lead/Second Tenor, Joel Gillespie. This is yet another Reprise album not to be missed

Listen to Away in a Manger in Real Audio.

Rich-Tone Chorus: Unwrapped!

Sleigh Ride Let It Snow Gift Of Love Star Carol What Can I Give Him Psalm 98 / Shalom Silent Night / Night Of Silence It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas Santa Baby Festival Of Lights When Jesus Was A Tiny Baby Fum Fum Fum When A Child Is Born Oh Holy Night

Under the direction of Dale Syverson this top-notch chorus has earned a reputation for excellence and this wonderful holiday recording is a great example of their craft. The combined voices of these talented singers shine on these great arrangements and are guaranteed to bring holiday cheer to the listener. Special guest quartet Kindred Spirit featuring Brain and Holly Beck is an additional treat.

Listen to "Star Carol" in Real Audio.

Sing We Noel Patapan You're All I Want for Christmas Happy Holidays / Holiday Season Hush Little Children, Do Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town Old Man's Back In Town Pretty Dolly Jingle Bell Jazz Christmas Shoppin' Blues God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Auld Lang Syne Feast of Lights Joy to the World Mary, Did You Know? One Small Child

The Rich-Tone Chorus are no strangers to awards ceremonies at Sweet Adelines' International Chorus competitions, winning the gold in 1992, 1996 and 1999. "Wrapped" is a generous Christmas album, featuring three original tunes by Chorus members, "You're All I Want For Christmas," "Hush Little Children, Do," and "Christmas Shopping Blues." Included are guest appearances by Rumors, Rhythmix, Kindred Spirits, The Gina Williams Trio and The Texas Girl Choir. There are 16 tunes, familiar songs like "Sing We Noel," "Patapan," "Happy Holidays," "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Feast of Lights," "Joy to the World" and "Auld Lang Syne," And lesser known ones like "Old Man's Back In Town," "Jingle Bell Jazz," "Mary Did You Know," "One Small Child" and the hilarious (if in questionable taste) "Pretty Dolly." There's a nice variety in the mix of the powerful chorus, the smaller quartets and soloists here. Some light accompaniment on a few cuts.

Listen to "Jingle Bell Jazz" in Real Audio.

Sound Of The Rockies: Goodness & Light

Happy Holiday/Holiday Season The Holly & The Ivy - arr. Kirby Shaw Ave Maria - Franz Biebel Betelehemu - arr. Wendell Whalum Mary Had A BAby - David Wright The First Hanukkah - David Eddleman I Wonder As I Wander - arr. Darin Brown 50 Kilowatt Tree - Richard Greene This Christmas Day - arr. Rupay O Holy Night - arr. Soren Wohlers What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - arr. B. Beck Let It Snow - arr. Eric Richards God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - arr G. Volk Do You Hear What I Hear? - arr. J. Giallombardo

Denver Mile High, CO's The Sound of the Rockies chorus have placed in the top ten of SPEBSQSA's International Chorus competition 5 times, including a 6th place at the 2006 competition in Indianapolis. "Goodness and Light" is the group's very special Christmas CD, which highlights its depth of sound, musical diversity and heartfelt performances. 14 songs, "Happy Holiday/Holiday Season" medley, a lively arrangement and strong solo (and vocal percussion) on "Holly and the Ivy," a lovely "Ave Maria," the spiritual "Mary Had a Baby" with guest artist "Ignition!," a spirited "The First Hanukkah," "I Wonder as I Wander," a silly "50 Kilowatt Tree," a powerful "This Christmas Day Medley," "O Holy Night," a sumptuous "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" "Let It Snow" with Guest Artist Denver A Cappella Project" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" are some favorites. One of the most talented choruses in the world brings us a rich Christmas collection that is indeed all "Goodness & Light!"

Listen to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in Real Audio.

Soul Purpose: Christmas Time Is Here

Though considered a barbershop group for the most part, some of the fourteen carols on this CD are sung in the traditional manner. Their enchanting "Gaudete" features the pipe organ from their local church, and is magnificent (two other tracks are also accompanied). Guest soprano Kathrin Koenig takes the lead on "Christmas Time is Here" (a number of other vocalists make appearances as well). The robust "Jingle Bells" and merry "Let's Have An Old Fashioned Christmas" reveal the group's barbershop orientation and skill. The close harmonies of "Jingle Bell Rock" will have you prancing around the tree until the ringing of the closing chord! 5526 CD $14.98

Vocal Majority: Believe

Caroling, Caroling Believe Mary's Boy Child What Child is This? My Grown-Up Christmas List Christmas Time Is Here Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells That's What I Want for Christmas Christmas Lullaby Betelehemu Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Birthday of a King

It’s not very often that one can say with certainty in the music business that any particular group is the very best of its type in the world. Yet we can say as much with this barbershop chorus as they have 11 gold medals to prove it – more than any other chorus in history. We therefore always have high hopes of their new recordings and expect something close to perfection. Well once again they surpass themselves on this holiday gem. One of the things that always impress is how such a sweet, sometimes so gentle; sound can come from such a large chorus of male only voices. Director (and arranger of many of the songs) Jim Clancy truly has a talent for coaxing the very purest of sound from a chorus. There is the occasional accompanied Christmas ornamentation and some very strong solosby Jay Dennis, Steve DeCrow and Jeff Oxley but it’s the harmony that counts, and this recording has some of the best!

Listen to "Birthday of a King" in RealAudio.

Vocal Majority: A Vocal Majority Christmas

I'll Be Home For Christmas Caroling, Caroling Winter Wonderland (with Jeff Oxley, bass) White Christmas You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch (performed by Acoustix) Toyland Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow Christmas Time Is Here (with Steve DeCrow, tenor) I'll Be Home for Christmas O Come, All Ye Faithful Do You Hear What I Hear? Little Drummer Boy What Child Is This? O Holy Night Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah The Secret of Christmas I'll Be Home for Christmas (reprise)

Experience the Vocal Majority Chorus, directed by Jim Clancy and Greg Clancy, in this hour-long DVD produced from live performances of their acclaimed Christmas concerts at the Dallas Convention Center. Acoustix and soloists Steve DeCrow and Jeff Oxley join the Chorus in a program destined to become a holiday favorite. Seventeen songs, some favorites: "Winter Wonderland" (with Jeff Oxley, bass), "YouÕre A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (with Acoustix), "Christmas Time is Here" (with Steve DeCrow, tenor), "IÕll Be Home for Christmas," "Do You Hear What I Hear?," "Little Drummer Boy," "Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah," and "The Secret of Christmas." Now you can see as well as hear the best barbershop chorus in the world.

Vocal Majority: Twelve Days of Christmas

Winter Wonderland Do You Hear What I Hear? Songs Of Christmas Medley Carol Of The Bells The Lights Of Hanukkah The Christmas Song Jingle Bells / Sleigh Ride Twelve Days of Christmas Have Yourself A Merry Litle Christmas Little Drummer Boy O Holy Night

SPEBSQSA's current International Gold Medalists, their ninth such title since their founding in 1972, The Vocal Majority have the numbers and the talent and aren't afraid to use them! On their brand new "Twelve Days of Christmas" you may be taken aback to hear what the liner notes call "magnificent orchestral accompaniment" on the first two songs, "Winter Wonderland"and "Do You Hear What I Hear."Beautiful, but it's almost like whipped cream on frosting, because the VM hardly need violins, having already cornered the magnificence market. The proof is in the a cappella numbers, especially "Songs of Christmas Medley," a wonderful "Carol of theBells," "The Christmas Song," an incredible "Jingle Bells/Sleigh RideMedley," the title tune, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and a "Little Drummer Boy" to remember. Lush and rich as Christmas eggnog with rum and nutmeg, incredibly arranged, effortlessly, perfectly performed, what more could we ask? "Twelve Days" is a treasured gift to yourself or anyone you love at Christmas.

Listen to Carol Of The Bells in Real Audio.

White Christmas It's Beginning to look (a lot) Like Christmas / Pine Cones and Holly Berries Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Toyland Baby, It's Cold Outside Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow Ave Maria I Wonder As I Wander What Child Is This? Auld Lang Syne

This celebrated chorus' third Christmas CD - eight time Society Champions, directed by Jim Clancy. Half-accompanied, we have to admit the a cappella tracks are our favorites: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (The Blenders' arrangement!), "What Child Is This," "Auld Lang Syne" and "Toyland." The Vocal Majority's power is such that they are most affecting as voices only - the tag of "Auld Lang Syne" is proof of that. Guest vocalists Steve and Wendy DeCrow warm up "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and Rumor's tenor, Charla Clare, graces "Ave Maria." Bob Chilcott of the King's Singers' "I Wander As I Wander" has a gorgeous string and woodwind score, and features Jeff Oxley.

Listen to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in Real Audio.

Vocal Majority: The Secret of Christmas

O Come All Ye Faithful Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Jingle Bells / Sleigh Ride Medley I'll Be Home For Christmas Coventry Carol / Away In A Manger The Lord's Prayer Silent Night Blue Christmas The Christmas Song I Wonder What You're Doing For Christmas Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) The Secret Of Christmas

The Vocal Majority, along with the Masters of Harmony, are considered to be the best amongst barbershop choruses. Directed by Jim Clancy, these over one-hundred-fifty Texans' golden voices, complimented by guest vocalists or the occasional guitar or keyboard - such as on "Away In A Manger," or the languid stroll of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" - are perfectly synthesized. Their phrasing, enunciation and dynamics are beyond reproach, and their arrangements, many written by the aforementioned Clancy, emphasize tone color and quality, rather than a panoply of contrasting voice parts or acrobatic feats. Grace and beauty characterize the performance of the Vocal Majority.

Listen to "I Wonder What You're Doing For Christmas" in Real Audio.

Vocal Majority: Alleluia

Title/Time/Arranger: Songs Of Christmas Medley 6:30 Jim Clancy Alleluia by Randall Thompson 5:50 David Wright Carol Of The Bells 1:32 David Wright Sweet Little Jesus Boy 5:35 Jim Clancy Little Altar Boy 4:57 Brian Beck The Little Drummer Boy 4:03 David Wright A Christmas Carol 1:55 Jim Clancy & Robert F. Brunner It Came Upon A Midnight Clear / Silent Night Medley 6:16 Jim Clancy Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah 3:58 David Wright

Hall-of-Fame Men's Chorus champions Vocal Majority, who have come to define the best in the business, offer their second Christmas record. Beginning with a Christmas Medley, which wraps up every familiar carol in a glorious bow, and proceeding to the dulcet tones of "Alleluia," the grandeur of these holiday masterpieces is complemented by the virtuosity of the performances, which are of the highest standard. The organ-accompanied "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah" is a stirring finale.

Listen to "Carol Of The Bells" in Real Audio.

Various: Yuletime Favorites Parts Tapes