Josephine Lee

Review: The multiracial and multicultural Chicago Children's Choir has been changing the lives of children through musical excellence since 1956, and this is a live CD from the World Choral Festivals Vienna 2001. There are 12 songs here, ranging from traditional spirituals arranged by Moses Hogan, "Great Day," "Battle of Jericho" and "My Soul's Been Anchored In The Lord," and South African folk songs "Njenge Bhadhi" and "Ke Nali Moona" to Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing" and Tobias Fox's "Shabach." All songs are accompanied, mostly by piano and drums. A great performance by an exceptional choir!

Songlist: Trosterin Musik, Salmo 150, Great Day, Battle of Jericho, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, Las Amarillas, Njenge Bhadi, Ke Nali Moona, One World, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), The Gods Love Nubia, Shabach

Review: "Open Up Your Heart" begins with a South African song of welcome, "Vela Vela," "Shosholoza" and "Iindonga Zajericho" were taught to the Choir while in South Africa in 1996. "Toyi Toyi and Ke Nale Monna" were brought back from South Africa by group member Mollie Stone and have become part of the Choir's core repertoire. "Prelude" and "Hanuman's Heart," composed by Jai Uttal as part of the musical "Sita Ram" he was commissioned to write for the CCC, is based on the timeless Indian epic, the Ramayana. "Tatkovina" (Macedonian) and Svadba (Bulgarian) and world folksongs. Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "I Need You to Survive" underline a fundamental element of the Choir's mission: not only do we need to love and respect each other, we are also responsible for what happens to every person in the world. Renowned Artistic Director Josephine Lee directs the award-winning 3 part (Chamber, Men's Chorus and Treble) CCC in this powerful, impressive collection. Some light drums and accompaniment, orchestral on "Hanuman's Heart" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." We really like this choir, and enjoyed every cut on "Open Up Your Heart!"

Songlist: Veia Veia, I Need You To Survive, Prelude, Hanuman's Heart, The Pasture, Tatkovina, Ke Nale Monna, Svadba, Iindonga Zajericho, Shocholoza, Bridge Over Troubled Water

Review: Exuberant singing comes from the Chicago Children's Choir on songs of the human spirit. This live recording features Faure's Requiem and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with piano accompaniment by Russell Stern. A cappella songs include a very spirited arrangement by Moses Hogan of The Battle of Jericho, Sizohamba, a South African Xhosa song and Svadba, a Bulgarian Wedding song featuring the treble voices. The tenors and basses are featured on the John Coates Jr. arrangement of He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother. The program closes with Gods Love Nubia from the musical "Aida."

Songlist: Requiem, Op. 48:, - Introit and Kyrie, - Offertory, - Sanctus, - Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei, - Libera Me, - In Paradisum, Chichester Psalms: Psalm 108 vs. 2 & Psalm 100, entire, The Battle of Jericho, Sizohamba, Svadba, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, Gods Love Nubia (from the musical "Aida")

Review: "The Chicago Children's Choir is a multiracial, multicultural choral music education organization, shaping the future by making a difference in the lives of children and youth through musical excellence." This is how the directors and teachers of the CCC describe themselves and what they are trying to do, and it warms our hearts on many levels. In the very brief liner notes is a picture of the large, red-jacketed choir of beautiful, intently singing children. Inside the 15 live Christmas songs are listed: "Gesu Bambino," Sing Joyfully," "This Christmastide," "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," "Christmas Song," "Riu, Riu Ciu," "Vehavta," "Hacia Belen va un borrico," "Appletree Wassail," "I Want the Star," "Christmas Lights," "A Take Six Christmas," "Snow," "White Christmas" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain." Josephine Lee, Artistic Director, is there in very small type. That's it-we learn from their website that the group began in 1956, the dream of the late Rev. Christopher Moore, that grew from a handful of kids in the First Unitarian Church to 3,000 kids in 61 in-school choruses, 5 after-school neighborhood choirs and this 125-voice Concert Choir. The music, the message and, of course, the children are the emphasis and the gift. Some light accompaniment.

Songlist: Processional, Gesu Bambino, Sing Joyfully, This Christmastide, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Christmas Song, Riu Riu Chiu, Vehavta, Hacia Belen ca un borrio, Appletree Wassail, I Want the Star, Christmas Lights, A Take Six Christmas, Snow, White Christmas, Go, Tell it on the Mountain

Review: Founded in 1956, the Chicago Children's Choir is a multiracial, multicultural music education organization that strives to change the future by bringing musical excellence into the lives of children. "Spring Gala Concert" is a 2-CD set with 11 pieces on Disc 1 and 10 on Disc 2. All orchestrally accompanied, included are sacred songs like Van Dijk's "Bells," Schubert's "Mass in G," "Kyrie," "Gloria," "Credo," Sanctus Benedictus" and "Agnus Dei;" traditional spirituals like "My Lord What A Morning" and "My Soul's Been Anchored," two Native American songs, a Yiddish Lullaby, a South African folk song and two songs from "Aida" by Elton John and Tim Rice, "Dress Is My Strongest Suit" and "Gods Love Nubia." A beautiful album from a very special concert! 

Songlist: Disc 1:, Bells, Mass in G:, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus et Benedictus, Agnus Dei, The Coolin (The Fair Haired One), Sizohamba, Prende la vea, Rojinkes Mit Mandlen, Solda wa Milo, Disc 2:, The Native American Songs:, Ancient Mother, The Earth is Our Mother, My Lord, What a Mornin', Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?, Las Amarillas, Loves Me Like A Rock, Tuxedo Junction, Dress is My Strongest Suit, Gods Love Nubia, My Soul's Been Anchored, Now Let Us Sing