Voena
International acclaim heralds the multi-ethnic children's choir following a performance tour in Beijing, China with inventive a capella vocal arrangements using multiple percussion instruments and dance and theatrical elements. VOENA's eclectic repertoire mixes original compositions and arrangements, and folk music of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, classical, pop, and sacred music, masterfully sung in more than 20 different languages, including Swahili, Japanese, Russian, Navajo, and Hebrew. The sophisticated musical arrangements are created by director and founder, Annabelle Marie Cruz, with guest contributions from "Z" McClelland, director/composer of Talisman vocal ensemble and John Bliss, arranger for the US Air Force Band.
Annabelle Marie Cruz earned her Masters of Music in the Kodaly Philosophy in music education and choral conducting, studied violin with William Barbini, piano with Emelia Blumina, and voice with the late Judy Davis.
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Voena Story Hotari Koi Sumbaie Prsten Mi Padna Rhythm Of The Rain Dark Of The Moon Songs From Gahu Uyai Mose Wade In The Water Ipharadisi Wichita Stick Game A Child Has Come Vois Sur Ton Chemin Einini When You Wish Upon A Star Prayer Of The Children Et Dodim Dod Li Massom Massom Pata Pata |
Benicia, CA's internationally acclaimed children's ensemble Voena (Voices of Eve 'n Angels) brings us their fourth excellent CD, "Voices of Nations." These 6 to 18-year-olds have an eclectic repertoire that includes originals and arrangements of folk music from all over the world, classical, pop and sacred music, sung in more than 20 different languages. Some favorites on this joyous collection are "Sumbaie," the Macedonian folk song "Prsten Mi Padna, " the West African "Songs From Gahu," the African gem "Uyai Mose," the African American Spiritual "Wade in the Water," the rhymic South African tune "Ipharadisi," a reprise of the French song "Vois Sur Ton Chemin," a wonderful solo on the Disney standard "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Prayer of the Children," the Hebrew folk tune "Dodi Li," the ancient Persian "Massom Massom" and Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata." Some light accompaniment and non-vocal percussion. "Voices" is another beautiful collection from talented, spirited Voena.
Listen to "Massom Massom" in Real Audio.
| 8482 CD $14.98 |
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Prayer of the Children Holy Spirit, Come Mede Brebre Fiona's Lullaby Birch Tree O Sifuni Mungu Ahrirang Los Biblicos Riu Riu Chiu Haida Haida Scat Play Siyahamba Nsa Ni O Wade in the Water We Have Come to Tell a Story Hine Ma Tov Et Dodim Dodi Li Lullaby German Canon Bebe Si Jose Cuckoo Canon Clap Your Hands One Light, One Voice |
Voena is a children's choir unique to the United States: children as young
as six and as old as 18, multicultural in their backgrounds, living and growing
up in America, blending their most natural birth given voices." This is how
Annabelle Cruz, Director, describes the choir she has brought together with
the hope that they become not just a choir but a familyŠa VOENA family. The
56-strong mixed choir bring us 26 joyous songs, beginning with their own song,
"Voena Story," the marvelous "Prayer of the Children," an original with lively
percussion by the Director, "Holy Spirit, Come" (she also wrote the excellent
"Scat Play," "Clap Your Hands," and "One Light, One Voice," as well as arranging
and writing lyrics for other tunes) and continuing with folk songs and spirituals
from the Bantu African, Gaelic, Russian, Filipino, Korean, Ladino, 16th century
Spanish, Eastern European Jewish, South African, African American, Hebrew, Japanese,
17th Century German, Guam and Old English traditions. Listening to this fun,
spirited stuff gives you hope and inspiration--just what the doctor ordered
these days! Some light percussion. Recommended.
| 6854 CD $14.98 |
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Sweetly the Swan Sings God Bless America / My Country Tis of Thee Children of Creation Song of Peace Somewhere Over the Rainbow Dark of the Moon Singabahambayo Kye Kye Kule Massom Massom Stand in the River Wichita Stick Game Greensleeves America the Beautiful Star Spangled Banner Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn This Little Light of Mine Pata Pata The Magic Flute |
Annabelle Cruz, founder and Director of Voena, her very special 56-strong international
mixed choir boys and girls, ages 7 to 15. Based in Benicia, CA, "Voena" stands
for "Voices of Eve 'N Angels" Annabelle encouraged the children, with multicultural
backgrounds, to celebrate their unique sound, in the hope that they would become
not just a choir but a family. They took off from there, singing 2 to 4-part
harmonies, growing into doing song arranging and even composing. "A Cappella
America" has 18 songs, featuring some excellent solos by young choir members.
Some favorites: "Sweetly the Swan Sings," written by Annabelle, "God Bless America/My
Country 'Tis Of Thee," "Children of Creation," with music by Annabella, "Somewhere
Over the Rainbow," the South African folk song "Singabahambayo," the traditional
"Greensleeves," "America the Beautiful," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Simple
Gifts, Shaker Hymn," Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata," and Mozart's "The Magic Flute."
Some accompaniment by Native Flute, percussion and fiddle. We find Voena's story
inspirational, and their music beautiful and fine!
| 7079 CD $14.98 |
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Carol of the Bells Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella Gloria / Silent Night O Come O Come Emmanuel Alabanza O Come Emmanuel Alleluia / Amazing Grace Siyahamba Tchotcholosa The Cherry Tree Carol Cuando El Rey Nimrod Et Dodim Gabbi Gabbi O Come LIttle Children Angels We Have Heard on High Ave Maria / Holy Child of God Jubilate Deo In My Eyes |
Annabelle Cruz, founder and Director, brings us a sweet Christmas CD by her very special international choir of boys and girls, ages 7 to 15. Annabelle encouraged them to celebrate their unique sound, and they took off from there, expanding into singing 2 to 4-part harmonies, song arranging and even composing. There are 18 songs, recorded before a live audience at St. Dominic's Church in Benicia, CA. Some are familiar, such as "Carol of the Bells," "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella," "Gloria/Silent Night," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel, "Alleluia/Amazing Grace," "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Ave Maria/Holy Child of God." Less familiar but equally wonderful are "Alabanza," the South African carols "Siyahamba," Tchotcholosa" and "Gabbi Gabbi," the Ladino song "Cuando El Rey Nimrod," and the traditional Appalachian and German carols "The Cherry Tree Carol" and "O Come Little Children." Some light percussion and xylophone on some songs. The collection finishes with Praetorius' "Jubilate Deo" and "In My Eyes" by 13-year-old choir member Madeleine Quandt. Another beautiful, recommended CD by VOENA!
| 6915 CD $14.98 |
This 2-DVD set celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the remarkable Benicia, CA-based VOENA (Voices of Eve 'N Angels), created by director Annabelle Marie. Disc 1 features the group's amazing journey through an interview conducted with Annabelle in the front seat of her moving car, and a collage of still photos and colorful live performance videos. Disc 2 is packed with full performances of their 2004 COPIA and Napa Valley Opera House concerts, highlights of their 2003 A&E Special featuring VOENA in the Pageant of Peace Ceremony at the White House. The colorfully-dressed, talented, joyful children (including 12-year-old soloist Holly Stell, who recorded with Andrea Bocelli) dance and sing on stage with Annabelle in many languages, delighting us and their audiences with their joy of singing. There is usually some light accompaniment, percussion and piano supplied by the children, violin played by Annabelle, and other instruments. "The Journey" is a feel-good, inspirational CD set from start to finish!
| 7734 DVD $29.95 |
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