The American Boychoir

Currently celebrating its seventieth anniversary season, The American Boychoir is regarded as the United States’ premier concert boys’ choir and one of the finest boychoirs in the world. It continues to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of musical sophistication, effervescent spirit and ensemble virtuosity. Its members - boys from grades 4 through 8, reflecting the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of our nation - come from eight states and four foreign countries to pursue a rigorous musical and academic curriculum at The American Boychoir School, the only non-sectarian boys’ choir school in the nation. Founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1937, The American Boychoir has been located in Princeton, New Jersey, since 1950. In addition to maintaining an active national and international touring schedule, the ensemble performs and records regularly with such world-class artists and ensembles as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, soprano Jessye Norman, pop diva Beyoncé, and jazz vocalist and conductor Bobby McFerrin.

It has been extensively recorded and broadcast on radio and television, with some forty-five commercial recordings to its name. During the past year, it has achieved Gold Record status for recordings it made with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Michael W. Smith. A new CD entitled Harmony: American Songs of Faith, the seventh to be produced for its own label, Albemarle Records, is scheduled for release in October, 2007.

During the 2006-07 season, The American Boychoir performed in twenty-five states stretching from Minnesota to Texas and from Massachusetts to Florida. In September, it sang at the Presidential Prayer Service in New York City, attended by President Bush and the First Lady, commemorating the fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001. Other season highlights included the North American premiere of Sir Paul McCartney’s oratorio, Ecce Cor Meum, at Carnegie Hall, and concerts in Colonial Williamsburg and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Discography

Harmony - American Songs of Faith

Kubaya - Paul Sjolund This Little Light of Mine - Ken Berg Jesus Loves Me - John Ferguson Here I Am, Lord - Craig Courtney Precious Lord, Take My Hand - Roy Ringwald Walk in the Light - ndre Thomas Give Me Jesus - Laura Swartzendruber How Can I Keep from Singing? - Eric Nelson Little Innocent Lamb - Ken Berg The Gift of Love - Hal H. Hopson Softly and Tenderly - Alice Parker Earth and All Stars - John Ferguson Ose Shalom - John Leavitt Shall We Gather at the River - John Ferguson Happy Land - Leonard Van Camp How Can I Keep From Singing - James Quitman Mulholland Abide With Me - Moses Hogan America the Beautiful - Betty Bertaux Amazing Grace - Eric Nelson When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - Gilbert M. Martin

The newest release from The American Boychoir, directed by Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, is a wonderfully eclectic collection that reflects the faith that has been expressed consistently across different backgrounds, religions and races since the founding of this country. This fine recording includes familiar camp songs, Sunday School melodies such as “This Little Light of Mine”, praise songs and beloved hymns that sprang from American soil such as “Happy Land” and “Amazing Grace”. Also featured are three tracks sung with the renowned St. Olaf Choir conducted by Anton Armstrong. The Alumni Chorus of the American Boychoir School, conducted by Music Director James Litton, makes a special guest appearance on the album as well.

Listen to "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" in Real Audio.

Litton Live! The Farewell Concert

Introit - Requiem aeternam - Maurice Durufle Hosanna to the Son of David - Thomas Weelkes Locus iste - Anton Bruckner Ave Maria - Franz Biebl Hear my words, ye people - C Hubert / H Parry Weep no more - David N. Childs Songs eternity: - Stephen Paulus Melodys of Earth and Sky - Stephen Paulus Mighty Songs - Stephen Paulus Sing Creations Music On - Stephen Paulus Prayer of the Children - Andrea Klouse Brothers Sing On - Edvard Grieg Three African American Spirituals: Wade in the Water - Norman Luboff Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord - Undine S. Moore Praise His Holy Name - Keith Hampton The Singing Heart - Robert Chilcott

The American Boychoir, joined by the Resident Training Choir and a 106-voice alumni choir, pay a moving tribute to retiring Litton-Lodal Music Director James Litton.

Sing

Dixit Dominus (Vespers) - Michael Haydn Kyrie Eleison (Missa St. Leopoldi) - Michael Haydn Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Missa St. Leopoldi) - Michael Haydn When Children Sing - Mary Goetze O Sing Joyfully (Psalm 81 vv. 1-4) - Adrian Batten Oh, Had I Jubal's Lyre (Joshua) - G.F. Handel Hosanna to the Son of David - Thomas Weelkes Hej, Igazitsad! - Lajos Bardas Fyer, Fyer! - Thomas Morley The Willow Song - Ralph Vaughan Williams Still Wie Die Nacht (Calm as the Night) - Frank R. Rix Niska Banja - Nick Page Alister Mcalpine's Lament - Ralph Vaughan Williams The Paint Box Kobi Oshrat - Ben Allaway Four African Songs: Tshotsholoza / Siyahamba / Sivela / Farewell Song - Henry Leck / Anders Nyberg / E. van Eyk Orange Colored Sky - Peter D. Wright George Gershwin Medley - George Gershwin Wade in the Water - Norman Luboff Elijah Rock - Jester Hairston When the Saints Go Marching In - John Rutter America the Beautiful - Samuel A. Ward

The American Boychoir showcases its vocal versatility with world music, Americana and rare classical works.

American Songfest

Opening Hymn: To the Poem - Leonard Bernstein Hymn - Charles Ives -The Light that is Felt - Charles Ives God Bless and Keep Thee - Charles Ives -Steal Away (from A Child of Our Time) - Michael Tippett -Nobody Knows (from A Child of Our Time) - Michael Tippett Flute and recorder interlude Deep River (from A Child of Our Time) - Michael Tippett -Sure on This Shining Night - James Agee -Under the Willow Tree (from Vanessa) - Samuel Barber Medley from Porgy and Bess - Ira Gershwin / George Gershwin Vocalise Long Time Ago (from Old American Songs - Aaron Copland -The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) - Aaron Copland Eldorado Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) - Leonard Bernstein

A musical overview of the landmark achievements of American composers throughout the 20th century: Barber, Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, Ives and more.

Messe Basse

Introit (Processional): Immense coeli - Cesar Franck Kyrie - Gabriel Faure Gloria - Cesar Franck Ave Maria - Gabriel Faure Gradual: Immense coeli - Cesar Franck Offertory: Fugue in e minor Op. 84 No. 6 - Gabriel Faure Sanctus - Gabriel Faure Benedictus - Gabriel Faure Litany: Rorate coeli - Cesar Franck Agnus Dei - Gabriel Faure Consecration: Immense coeli - Cesar Franck Fugue in a minor, Op. 84 No. 3 - Gabriel Faure Ite missa - Cesar Franck Recessional: Immense coeli - Cesar Franck Messe des Pauvres Introit - Erik Satie Kyrie - Jean Catoire Interlude - Erik Satie Gloria - Jean Catoire Offertory - Erik Satie Sanctus - Jean Catoire Interlude - Erik Satie Benedictus - Jean Catoire Interlude - Erik Satie Agnus Dei I - Jean Catoire Interlude - Erik Satie Agnus Dei II - Jean Catoire Ite missa - Erik Satie

This album brings together some of the most beautiful sacred music from Paris written for treble voices over the past century. It is complemented by some wonderful and virtually unknown organ music by Gabriel Fauré and Erik Satie. Conducted by James Litton..

Hymn

Praise to the Lord Fairest Lord Jesus Praise, my soul, the King of heaven Amazing Grace All creatures of our God and King There's a Wideness in God's mercy Christe, qui lux es et Dies Lamb of God His Strength is Perfect Spirit of the Living God A Mighty Fortress is our God Eternal Love Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty Morning has broken Softly and Tenderly God be with you The Old 100th

Well-known traditional and contemporary hymns - inspirational, uplifting and timeless.

Voices of Angels

O come, all ye faithful (David Willcocks) In the bleak midwinter (Harold Darke) Ding dong! merrily on high Up! good Christian folk (John Rutter) I Sing of a maiden (Patrick Hadley Watts's Cradle Hymn (Malcolm Bruno While shepherds watched their flocks (David Willcocks / Este's Psalter) Sir Christemas (William Mathias) Shepherd's Pipe Carol (John Rutter ) Ding dong! merrily on high (David Willcocks) Oi Betleem (Malcolm Bruno) Ed Alavo (Malcolm Bruno) The Holly and the Ivy (John Rutter) Joy to the World (William Holford) Candlelight Carol (John Rutter) Joseph, lieber, Joseph mein (Malcolm Bruno) Stille nacht, heilige nacht (Franz Xaver Gruber) Mary had a baby Christians, awake! Salute the happy morn

A sparkling collection of beloved Christmas carols no longer available on American Boychoir recordings plus previously unreleased holiday favorites. Conducted by Litton-Lodal Music Director, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, and Music Director Emeritus, James Litton.

Carol

Carol Of The Bells Joy To The World The Coventry Carol This Christmastide Christmas Day Deck The Hall Silent Night! Holy Night! O Holy Night Hark! The Herald Angels Sing What Child Is This Away In A Manger O Come, All Ye Faithful We Wish You A Merry Christmas

During the past 6 decades of its existence, the AB has performed in more than 2,500 North American cities and towns, and in Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and South America. More than 80 boys, ages 10 to 14, all students at the American Boychoir School in Princeton, NJ, are the nucleus from which the two concert Boychoirs are selected. They have performed and recorded with many major orchestras and conductors, and recently joined Chanticleer for a series of concerts. Over the years, the Boychoir has gathered a large repertoire of carols and other holiday music during their many December tours and annual Holiday Festival concerts. This CD represents a popular sampling of music from the past 500 years and from many nations. 13 carols, all standards, from "Carol of the Bells," "The Coventry Carol," "This Christmastide" and "Christmas Day," to "O Holy Night," "What Child Is This," "Away In A Manger" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," all sweetly sung by the angelic voices of the Boychoir. What a gift!

Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice

In September 2002, an extraordinary musical event took place. Two of the world's top choral directors working with young members of The American Boychoir and the Newark Boys Chorus made music together before an audience of choral musicians from around the world. They were attending the 14th annual National Choral Conference hosted by the American Boychoir. Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice shows how Dr. Anton Armstrong of St. Olaf College in Minnesota and Dr. André Thomas of Florida State University melded a group of young people into an amazing musical instrument. This is also the story of how the arts can inspire and instruct, helping young people learn the values of hard work, responsibility and self-confidence. The documentary, directed by Emmy Award-winning producer Robert E. Frye and edited by Markus Peters, is a lesson for all to witness and behold the joy of the experience.

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