Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus

The Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus was founded in 1964 by Barbara Born, and grew to international prominence under the extensive development and musical direction of Dr. Doreen Rao. In 1996, Emily Ellsworth became Music Director of the Chorus bringing over 20 years of vocal performance and teaching experience. Ms. Ellsworth is successfully continuing the Chorus' tradition of excellence, as recent high-profile performance invitations, enthusiastic enrollment, and community support confirm. She has been chosen to serve on the National Endowment for the Arts' Music Panel, was awarded the YWCA's Outstanding Leader in Arts and Culture Award in 1999, and regularly serves as guest clinician throughout the country and abroad.

The Chorus' exemplary programs have served as artistic and educational models across North America for many years. Throughout its history, the Chorus has been widely recognized for concerts, recordings, workshops, commissioned works, and performances with world-renowned musical organizations. The Chorus has performed frequently with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) at Chicago's Symphony Center, the Ravinia Festival, New York's Carnegie Hall, and Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center. It has participated in four Grammy Award-winning recordings with the CSO and performed under such eminent conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Christoph Eschenbach, James Levine, and Claudio Abbado. Over the years the Chorus has also appeared with the Grant Park Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony, and the Illinois Chamber Symphony. The GECC has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and most recently Brazil. GECC is also known for showcasing a broad spectrum of newly composed North American music commissioned for and performed by children, including works by major composers.

The GECC has long been nationally recognized for the high artistic caliber of its work. In 1999, the Chorus received the United States Library of Congress' Local Legacies Award acknowledging the Chorus as one of the nation's leading cultural treasures. In the 1980's it was the first children's chorus to be recognized and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council for the professionalism of its achievements. In 2001 the Chorus received the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher's Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music.

At Home - 40th Anniversary

Sing Creations Music On (Stephen Paulus) My Heart's Friend (Imant Raminsh) Festive Alleluia (Lyn Williams) Islands (Lyn Williams) Riawanna (Stephen leek) Briar Rose (Lee R. kesselman) Fairest lady (Nick Page) Herr, du siehst statt guter Werke (J.S. Bach) We are the Stars That Sing (Imant Raminsh) Vem kan segla (arr. Carl-Bertil Agnestig) Angels are Everywhere (Daniel Pinkham) The Angel on the Cloud (Daniel Pinkham) A-Tisket, A-Tasket (arr. Elliot) My Lord, What a Morning (arr. Rollo Dilworth) Libertango (arr. Escalada) Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 (heitor Villa-Lovos) Dome Epais (Leo Delibes) Opening Chorus from The Bartered Bride (arr. Ellsworth) The Truly Great (Wayland Rogers) All This Joy (John Denver)

Founded in Chicago in 1964 by Barbara Born and led to international recognition by Music Director Dr. Doreen Rao, "At Home" celebrates the 51-member `GECC's 40th Anniversary. This is a "best of" collection of 20 songs, 14 live performances from 1999 to 2004 under the direction of Emily Ellsworth, and six classic recordings from 1984 under the direction of Dr. Rao. Some of our favorites were commissioned by the GECC: Stephen Paulus' "Sing Creations Music On," Lee Kesselman's lovely "Briar Rose," Astor Piazzolla's "Libertango," Waylon Rogers' "The Truly Great," and "Angels are Everywhere," "The Angel on the Cloud," by Daniel Pinkham. Others are Nick Page's "Fairest Lady," Bach's "Herr, du siehst statt gutter Werke," the spiritual "My Lord, What A Morning" and John Denver's "All This Joy." There is piano accompaniment throughout. Singing with poise and confidence beyond their years, the GECC and "At Home" are American classics!

Nightingale

Composer Imant Raminsh's lyrical melodies and lush harmonic textures combined with the skilled, expressive singing of the GECC create a powerful musical partnership in this unique choral opera based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale of the same name.

Abbondanza

How Can I Keep from Singing? Amazing Grace Zion's Walls Simple Song Sanctus Laudate pueri Dominum Las Amarillas Te Quiero Yo Le Canto O mio babbino caro Che interminable andirivieni Abbondanza! Where the Music Comes From Go Where I Send Thee She Shall Have Music I Love a Piano A Fond Kiss

The 60-strong GECC, under the able direction of nationally recognized musician and educator Emily Ellsworth. Accompanied on piano by William Bubs, "Abbondanza" is a spirited, joyous collection from the first tune, "How Can I Keep From Singing," a heartbreakingly beautiful a cappella "Amazing Grace" and Leonard Bernstein's "Simple Song" to Hatfield's exuberant "Las Amarillas," Favero's "Te Quiero," "I Love a Piano" and "Ae Fond Kiss." Interspersed are sacred songs like Haydn's "Laudate pueri Dominum," Puccini's lovely "O mio babbino caro" and Donizetti's "Che interminable andirivieni," the wonderful Servant's Chorus from Don Pasquale. An aptly titled CD by one of the best children's choruses we've heard.

6851 CD $15.98

Flights Of Song

Kungala Black Swana In the Beginning Akakomborerwa Aglepta Dirati-on Tutira Mai Nga Iqi Cabbage-Tree Hat Waltzing Mathilda Rattlesnake Skipping Song How Do I Love Thee? Libertango I'm Goin' Up a Yonder O Sifuni Mungu At the River The Promise of Living

Nationally renowned musician and educator Emily Ellsworth directs the 51-strong Chicago-based GECC through 16 songs in their distinctive warm and spirited style. Several Australian and New Zealand folk songs grace this CD, "Tutira Mai Nga Iwi," "Cabbage Tree Hat," and "Waltzing Mathilda." Two of our favorites are the exuberant African-flavored tunes "Kungala" and "Akakomborerwa," with its powerful rhythmic drumming. Also among our favorites are Aaron Copland's "The Promise of Living" and "At the River," arranged by Copland, and "I'm Goin' Up a Yonder" by Walter Hawkins. Most songs are piano or drum accompanied, all are beautiful and touching.

6848 CD $15.98

Celestial Voices

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (Trad. English, arr. Rutter) Ding Dong Merrily on High (16th C. French, arr Shields) One Fine Hour (Cutter) A Ceremony of Carols: (Britten) -Procession -Wolcum Yole! -There is no Rose -That yonge child -Balulalaw -As dew in Aprille -This little Babe -Interlude -Spring Carol -Deo Gracias -Recession Personent Hodie (from Piae Cantiones, 1582, arr. Rutter) The Most Wonderful Time of Year (Pola & Wyle, arr. Shelton) Shiru (Sing!) (Naplan) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Martin & Blane) Mary's LIttle Boy Child (Hairston, arr. Shields) Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (Coots & Gillespie, arr. Shelton) Auld Lang Syne (Trad. Scottish, arr. Kesselman)

Colorful Christmas selections of all styles by the multiple award-winning, Chicago area-based mixed-voice GECC, directed since 1996 by Emily Ellsworth, with Guest Artist Stephen Hartman on harp. 21 songs, featuring Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," traditional favorites, popular selections such as "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and a poignant new arrangement of "Auld Lang Syne." We love the sound of a fine children's chorus at Christmas, especially one as beautifully trained and directed as this one. John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" and "Personent Hodie," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and a lilting cover of Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child." Some accompaniment, from light harp to orchestral, on all songs. An excellent CD, sure to fill you with Christmas spirit!

Listen to "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" in Real Audio.

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