The joy and excitement of the holidays come to life as the boys tell the story of Christmas. Beginning with the season's earliest hearkenings of candy canes, Santa Claus, and toys, the narrative continues with the warmth and glow of home and hearth, and concludes with the spellbinding tale of the magic night itself.

"A Little Christmas Magic" is just yuletide carols being sung by a choir, but not just any choir! For decades now, Costa Mesa, CA-based All-American Boys Chorus has prepared for months in pointed preparation for its busy Christmas concert season of more than 30 performances. The 9 to 15-year-old boys add their youthful vitality and energy to marvelous arrangements and understated orchestral accompaniment to produce a full, beautiful, yes indeed–magical sound! 10 standards, from "We Need A Little Christmas" medley to "O Holy Night." Orchestrally accompanied

One of the most widely-traveled choirs in the world, the Costa Mesa, CA-based AABC has appeared with such stars as Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Steve Allen and Victor Borge, and in tv commercials for Mazda, TWA and KFC. This is a feel-good collection of 11 songs, but actually much more because five of them are medleys. "Salute To America’s Colleges," for instance, has the fight songs for Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin and USC; and "Marches of John Phillip Sousa" includes four of Sousa’s classics. Orchestrally accompanied.

The nonprofit AABC, based in Costa Mesa, CA, serves boys ages 8 to 15 of all races, faiths, nationalities and ethnic origins, and is one of the most widely-traveled choirs in the world. Delighted audiences from Moscow, Vienna and Rome to Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul and Beijing, to Canada and all over the US have heard them sing. Collaborations with Disney, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the LA Philharmonic have added to the group's professional stature. 13 songs, the powerful medley "Salute to the United States Armed Forces," "This is My Country," "Stouthearted Men," "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee," "Rivers," a medley of "Shenandoah" and "Red River Valley," "Cielito Lindo," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," Ghost Riders in the Sky," "A Medley of Walzes," "Panis Angelicus," "The Lord's Prayer," "Al Shlosha D'varim" and "God Bless America." All songs are orchestra, organ or piano accompanied. The sweet, angelic voices of the boys are beautifully presented on these patriotic, religious, folk and pop classics. Very nice full color foldout liner notes.

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

Årets Krans, meaning garland of the year, is a compilation of Danish hymns for fellowship. Beginning with the church's birthday or Whitsunstide, traditional hymns are woven together, celebrating the major feasts of the liturgical year. These beautiful melodies are superbly sung by the internationally acclaimed Copenhagen Boys' Choir under the direction of former member Ebbe Munk.

Magnificat - Simon Brix
Lascia Ch'io Pianga - G. F. Handel
Jubilate - Bob Chilcott
Kaks Jubilatsiooni - Rene Eespere
In Paradisum - Juri - Ruut Kangur
Siin Mu Roomumaa - Ester Magi
Viru Lauliku Motted - Ester Magi
Astuge Ette - Veljo Tormis
Arkamise Aeg - Rene Eespere
Ta Lendab Mesipuu Poole - Peep Sarapik
Uksteist Peab Hoidma - Kadri Hunt

Since 1962 Birgitta Persson has been conducting the Gothenburg Cathedral Boys’ Choir. A mix of boys and men, this 200 member Swedish group has sung in Cathedrals all over the world. On this CD they sing sacred pieces from the Romantic period and later written mainly by Swedish composers. The choir says its most important feature when singing is to make people happy. Sweden has such an acclaimed choral tradition and this world-class choir is a wonderful example.

This recording, combines sacred texts, familiar tunes and a choir and fuses it with new age and techno styles. The Sanctus is arranged from Pachelbel's Canon and Te Lucis uses the Canon by Tallis. The texts were adapted from the Latin Mass, Requiem, Stabat Mater, Compline and the Psalms. The pure and perfectly blended sound of Libera adds depth to this music. Composer Robert Prizeman, who is also Libera's director, has created a whirlpool of sound, which attempts to create a freedom of the mind.

Libera's latest chart-topping album ‘Free’ has an alluring atmosphere of its own, with Libera sublimely blending traditional hymns, plainsong and modern compositions that instill an incredible tranquility and freedom that awakens the soul. Soaring high notes, entrancing voices, blissful harmonies, ethereal sounds and striking chords are the essence of Libera Robert Prizeman composed the songs unearthing and developing the natural vocal characteristics of each of the boys, both as part of the ensemble and as soloists. Along with its predecessors, ‘Free’ has a global appeal that transcends all others.

Founded in 1988 and 89, Memphis' Boychoir and Chamber Choir have recorded a number of CDs that have earned them international acclaim. "Dancing Day" is a Christmas CD, about half accompanied by strings, drum, tambourine, flute and brass. Familiar tunes like John Rutter's "Shepherd's Pipe Carol," Britten's "A Shepherd's Carol," Praetorius' "Psallite Unigenito," "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night," and the traditional French carol "Ding Dong! Merrily On High!"; and lesser known ones like Mathias' "Sir Christemas," Belcher's "Lutebook Lullabye," and Waters' "I Sing of a Maiden" create an impressive mix. This is a generous, beautifully performed Christmas CD!

Rise Up Singing, features the combined choirs of the Minnesota Boychoir. This release includes sacred, classical, secular, folk and contemporary choral music. The gospel selection "He Has the Power" features guest soloist Lanell Lightfoot. A nice mixture of material from Kodaly's "See The Gypsies", Stephen Foster's "Gentle Annie", Mary Goetz's "When Children Sing" and a lovely medley called "South African Suite".

Until We Meet Again, by the Minnesota Boychoir, contains folk songs from around the world, including many from South Africa. Also included are several hymns such as "And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time" and Beautiful Savoir. This highly regarded group is led by Mark Johnson.

The 35th Anniversary Concert of the Minnesota Boychoir was recorded in Benson Great Hall in St. Paul and includes a wide variety of music sung by the Concert Choir, Training Choir and Alumni Choir. The songs range from world folk songs to pieces by Brahms, Britten and even Billy Joel. The twenty six tracks display a breadth of repertoire, interesting arrangements and performed by one of the nation's top boychoirs.

This internationally renowned boys choir performs Christmas music from around the world. Led by Ninel Kamburg, listeners are transported to far away places as the choir showcases classics. Featured on this disc are such favorites as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Jingle Bells" and their beautiful rendition of "Silent Night" plus moving classical standards as Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria." This group will warm your hearts this holiday season.

Listen to "Maoz Tsur" in Real Audio.

This wonderful CD features the Troubadors of the Pacific Boychoir singing works by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Isaac Posch and Felix Mendelssohn. In this ambitious project, the chorus sings Bach's Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich. With a small orchestra and the addition of tenors and basses, the choir performs this piece similarly to how it would have been done in Bach's time. The soprano solo "Doch bin und bleibe ich vergnugt" is skillfully sung by Julian Abelskamp. The rest of the recording is equally well performed and features motets by Mozart, Posch and Mendelssohn.

Winner of a Grammy for Best Choral Performance, The Phoenix Boy Choir sings its patriotism through its performance. They carry this message of freedom and hope through this collection of patriotic choral music. A celebration of America through the exaltation of song and lyric The timbre of this ensemble breathes new life into the already colorful repertoire, and offers the listener new musical perspectives and possibilities.

Since its founding in San Mateo, CA in1987, Ragazzi, The Peninsula Boys Chorus has grown to be one of the largest and most successful boy choirs in the San Francisco Bay area. Under the direction of Musical Director and and Co-founder, Joyce Keil, the chorus has toured Canada, Russia and Eastern Europe. "Good News" is live recordings from concerts given in the 1995 and 1996 seasons. The 20 songs are in 3 categories: sacred repertory, such as Cesar Franck's "Panis Angelicus," Bach's "Ave Maria," Gabriel Faure's "Sanctus (from Requiem)," and Elizabeth Poston's "Jesus Christ, the apple tree;" solos, duets and trios, like Antonio Caldera's "Alma del core," Handel's "Ombra mai fu," and Bach's "Wir eilen (from Cantata 78);" and secular repertory, Bedrich Smetana's "Ma Hvezda," the Serbian folk song "Niska Banja," Zoltan Kodaly's "Evening Song," the Slovak folk song "To ta Hel' pa," the Greek folk song, "The Kalanta of the New Year," and the spiritual "Ain-a that good news." Piano, flute and percussion accompaniment on some cuts. A beautiful collection by the talented boys of Ragazzi!

"A Holiday Collection" combines traditional favorites like "God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen," "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" and sacred music like Mozart's "Laudate Dominum," Brahms' "Ave Maria," Dietrich Buxtehude's "Cantate Domino," and Vivaldi's "Laudamus Te," with contemporary originals like Martin Shaw's "Fanfare for Christmas Day," David Urrows' "Verbum Patris Hodie," Henryk Gorecki's "Totus Tuus Opus 60" and Daniel Pinkham's "Evergreen." Piano or organ accompaniment on most cuts. This is a soaring, lovely Christmas CD by the pride of San Mateo, CA, the Peninsula Boy's Chorus!

The highly dedicated Raleigh Boychoir sings a collection of songs for Christmas. This recording is an assortment traditional carols and movements from major works. They are joined by Amber Hitchcock, violin on "Domine Deus." Other selections include "Behold that Star," "Here We Come A Caroling" and "Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella." This internationally recognized choir is led by Thomas Sibley with accompanists Vicki Oehling, piano and Kevin Kerstetter, organ. A lovely recording of seasonal music.

For over 50 years the SFBC has been one of America's foremost institutions for singing boys. It is featured regularly at the San Francisco Opera, Symphony and Ballet, as well as civic events and private concerts. With 130 boys of all cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds, the SFBC is recognized as San Francisco's "Singing Ambassadors." All 17 songs are accompanied, by everything from organ and the SFBC Orchestra to piano and congas. Beginning with Handel's "Coronation Anthem No. 1," and Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus," the Chorus continues with 6 songs from Haydn's "Missa Brevis St. Joannis De Deo," and 3 pieces from Mozart's "Die Zauberflute" (The Magic Flute). Then we have "America the Beautiful," "An American Hymn," "South African Freedom Song," "Bless the Lord," the Scandinavian folk tune "Who Can Sail" and the final tune, the immortal Stephen Foster's "Some Folks." The singing is lovely, especially the guest sopranos and tenor on "Die Zauberflute." A beautifully packaged, impressive CD by one of the best boys' choruses we've heard.

Founded in 1968 for boys ages 7 to 15, about 40 of which appear in concert, Bulgaria's SBC has been directed since 1989 by the talented Adriana Blagoeva. They released their first CD in 1981, "Britten" was recorded in 1993. The group has toured internationally, gaining a worldwide reputation for excellence performing a varied repertoire which includes Renaissance, Baroque, and Contemporary compositions by Bulgarian authors as well as large-scope cantata and oratorio works. This CD includes 5 works by Benjamin Britten (1913-76) and 17 by Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-36)—the Britten pieces have some organ accompaniment and feature two female sopranos, and the Pergolesi ones are orchestrally accompanied and feature a mezzo-soprano. The voices of the boys soar clear and sweet, and the adult soloists are wonderful. Heavenly sacred music, beautifully performed!

The Sofia Boys’ Choir is one of the most prestigious Bulgarian choirs of its kind, winner of many awards at international and national competitions. Under the guidance of the talented Adriana Blagoeva, during the past few years the choir has widened the range of its repertoire by including masterpieces of sacred music – both Catholic and Orthodox. The performances are distinguished by the unique beauty of sounds of the boys’ voices led by the conductor with great skill. Each song features not only the professionalism of the great choirs, but also precision of dynamics, accents and gradation, typical of religious singing. The singers and their musicality, the perfectly performed tunes, the crystal sounds, as well as the characteristic reverberation of the recordings that recreates the atmosphere in Alexander Nevsky Cathedral leave a deep impression.

On Magnificat by the Sofia Boys Choir, led by Adriana Blagoeva, the Bulgarian choir sings rarely performed works from the late Baroque and early Classical periods. The CD begins with the Magnificat by Czech composer _imon Brixi. This engaging piece is for four voice choir, SATB soloists and chamber orchestra. Also included on this release is the German Mass by Michael Haydn for four voice choir with Soprano and Tenor soloists and organ accompaniment.

Considered by major critics both here and abroad to be the outstanding choral ensemble of the Anglican musical tradition in the US today. The 12 men, who are professional singers, and 18 boys, who are students at NYC's St. Thomas Choir School, one of 4 such schools in the world. Included here are 14 songs, some accompanied by the massive St. Thomas Church organ. There are single pieces by Poulenc ("Exultate Deo"), Messiaen ("O sacrum convivium), and Cesar Franck's "Psalm 150;" 4 tunes by Maurice Durufle, and 5 tunes by Jean Langlais, ("Kyrie," "Gloria," "Sanctus," "Benedictus" and "Agnus Dei").

The organization of the St. John's Boys' choir of central Minnesota consists of several divisions, including "Stile Antico," which performs sacred music of the Renaissance," The Recorder Ensemble, The Training Choir, The Junior Varsity Choir focuses on the musical development of the boys in the 5th and 6th grades, and The Concert Choir is the principal touring division. "Clear Voices" features 15 mostly lightly accompanied, mostly sacred songs: Joseph M. Martin's "A Festive Call to Praise," Haydn's lovely "Kyrie and Gloria," di Lasso's "Hodie," Ralph Williams' "My Master Hath a Garden," "For Unto Us A Child is Born," from Handel's "Messiah," Brian Kay's "Gaudette," the spirituals "Hush, Somebody's Callin' My Name," "Great Getting' Up Mornin'," Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" and others. What's Clear? That the sweet, high voices of the boys are the perfect complement to this fine, well-chosen material.