Dr. Robert J. Ward

Review: One of the oldest and most respected Collegiate men's choruses, the 2007 version of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club presents a lovely and difficult collection of beautifully arranged harmonic gems, directed by Dr. Robert J. Ward. Many of these 17 songs are accompanied, but our favorites include the a cappella tunes, Stevan St. Mokranjac's "Tebe poyem," "Take a Chance on Me," Bruce Sled's surprising "Jin-ga-lye-ah,"the a cappella "Leave It!," Healy Willan's exquisite "Kyrie," form "Missa Brevis," an a cappella rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," Eric Lane Barnes' very funny, live a cappella "Lambscapes," and the still-loved a cappella chestnut, "Wimoweh." We also enjoyed the "Songs of OSU medley, as will the many thousands of OSU alumni who will want to hear these spirited songs of Columbus. A pair by Franz Schubert, "Der Gondelfahrer" and "La Pastorella" and Robert Cundick's lovely "The West Wind" round out our list of favorites. Good, entertaining Collegiate stuff from the Midwest!

Songlist: Sea Fever, Der Gondelfahrer, Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now, Tebe Poyem, The Stars Are With the Voyager, La Pastorella, Take A Chance On Me, Terminus, Maybe I'm Amazed, Jin-ga-lye-ah, The West Wind, Leave It!, Missa Brevis, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, Lambscapes, Wimoweh, Songs of the Ohio State University:, The Buckeye Battle Cry, Capus Echoes, Carmen Ohio, Hang on Sloopy

Review: Founded in 1903, the OSU Women's Glee Club is one of the oldest and most respected women's Collegiate groups in America. These 19 songs start off nicely with a pair of a cappella tunes, the lovely "Alleluia" by William Boyce, and Jacques Arcadelt's joyous "Sing On this Festive Day," Bach's lightly accompanied "Dominus Deus," and three by Gwyneth Walker, "Mornings Innocent,"" "Love is a Rain of Diamonds" and "I will be earth." Thomas Morely's "Fire, fire my heart" and a pair of spirituals by Michael Neaum, "I got a robe" and "Didn't it rain" are also on our list of favorites. The Glee Club has a pure, harmonic soprano sound that's easy on the ears, and every cut on "Here's to Song" is a winner!

Songlist: Alleluia, Sing on this Festive Day, Come, Ye Makers of Song, Dominus Deus, How Merrily We Live, Psalm 100, Rise Up, My Love, Nigra Sum, The Snow, Mornings Innocent, Love is a Rain of Diamonds, I Will be Earth, Fire, Fire My Heart, Hotaru Koi (Ho, Firefly), Aunu, Aunu Balti Kajas, Song for the Mira, I Got A Robe, Didn't It Rain, Here's To Song