World Voices
World Voices was formed in 1996 by Dr. Karle Erickson, Artistic Director & Conductor. An experience in New York City one summer in the late 1950’s was the influence that steered him into beginning a musical ensemble that exclusively performs global music. He spent 6 weeks in the Bronx with young people of all races, colors and creeds. He wanted to use music as a means to bring people together, to help get rid of the stereotypes and prejudices, to think outside our own comfortable boxes, and to further open our minds and souls to the fascinating differences and similarities that arise from varying cultural backgrounds. Thus began the choral ensemble identified as "Karle Erickson’s Metropolitan Chorale. "
Membership included 25 singers between the ages of 21 and 41, most of them auditioning because they had sung previously with Karle Erickson or were aware of his reputation as a choral conductor. Today the ensemble of voices and instruments includes 40 singers, ranging in age from 21-75, most of whom audition because they believe in the mission of World Voices. Some come to sing because of the educational opportunity to learn about and perform global music that will assist them in their teaching careers in the schools.
An important part of the World Voices programming is commissioning new works, the first of which was entitled "Wo Ayi Me A Ma" by Sowah Mensah in March 2001. Composer Brent Michael Davids of the Mohican Nation wrote "Of This Turtle Isle" in 2002 and " Si Ji" was written by Chinese composer Zhou Long in March of 2005. In response to its interest in educational outreach, World Voices is sending to selected high school, college and university music directors a recorded copy of "Si Ji" along with an explanation about the things to be considered in preparing such a work for performance so that the barrier of being intimidated by a new work of global music with different stylistic demands can be largely removed.
World Voices presents four concert themes each season with one performance each in Minneapolis and St. Paul and surrounding areas. In 2000 the Chorale altered its format of Christmas music in December and changed the focus to the broader concept of peace. Included are 320 children in a concert that begins with a ceremonial trumpet fanfare and Grand Processional of the children’s choirs presenting flags from many different countries. World Voices has performed music from 62 countries in 35 different languages. Five CD’s of global music have been released: "Latino Groove", "A Cultural Odyssey", "A Global Palette", " Celebrating Global Cultures" and "Mosaic."
Dr. Karle Erickson, Artistic Director and Conductor, is internationally known for his excellence as a choral conductor, clinician and educator. He has conducted over 450 choral festivals and clinics, all state and honors choirs and church music festivals across the United States and internationally. He has been one of two American conductors for the Prague International Choral Festival and Competition in the Czech Republic. A graduate of St. Olaf College, Dr. Erickson holds Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from the School of Music, University of Illinois. His choral arrangements are published by Kjos Music, Augsburg Fortress, GIA Publications, Hinshaw Music Inc. and MorningStar Music Publishers. Earthsongs will soon offer two of his arrangements of Chilean Folk songs. He is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association and active in the International Federation for Choral Music, having served as a presenter of African and South American choral music at the Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music in Minneapolis. He is a recipient of the F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the ACDA of Minnesota.
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Our Father - Alexander Gretchaninoff Santo - Michael D. Mendoza Offer Unto God (Psalm 50) - F. Melius Christiansen Sicut Cervus - Giovannni Pierluigi da Palestrina Exultate Deo - Allessandro Scarlatti Somebody's Prayin' - Mark Hayes Avinu Malkeinu - Max Janowski Wake Me Up, Lord - Uzee Brown, Jr. Goin' Up to Glory - Andre Thomas Quis Potest Dicere - Zdenek Lukas The Gift to be Simple - Bob Chilcott God of Peace and Love (Yarabba Ssalam) - Karle Erickson Salmo 150 - Ernani Aguiar Death is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands - Andre Thomas Cantate Domino - Laszlo Halmos Regeneration (Part 3 of "Celestial Spring") - F. Melius Christiansen I've Been 'Buked - Hall Johnson Webster (An American Thanksgiving) - Carol Barnett Heleluyan - Jerry Ulrich Ya Ba Bom - Maurice Goldman |
This album is a celebration of the single divine spirit of God. Choir and instruments blend in joy to express faith through the classical, gospel and folk traditions found in the world’s diverse cultures, languages and religions.
| 8745 CD $15.95 |
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Ffa La Ba Lam The Garten Mother's Lullaby I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town Lasciatemi Morire Chiu Chiu Wake Up Ning Wendete O Mio Babbino Caro Stomp Your Feet Home On The Range The Blue Tail Fly Old Black Joe This We Know Wawaki In Dreams Veniki Bashana Haba'ah Simona MiDimona Ahrirang Tom Fiddler Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu Domaredansen |
Another fine collection by prolific World Voices, whose mission is "celebrating global cultures and creating community through choral music." Renowned founder Dr. Erickson directs the 40-strong, mixed-voice ensemble in 22 selections from all over the world, favorites include folk tunes "Home on the Range," "The Blue Tail Fly" and "Old Black Joe" from the US, Native American songs "This We Know" and "In Dreams" by Ron Jeffers; the Welsh tune "Ffa La Ba Lam," the Irish "The Gartan Mother's Lullaby" and the Scotch song "I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town." Others are Kenya's "Ning Wendete," Ecuador's "Wawaki," Israel's "Bashana Haba'ah," Korea's "Ahrirang," Iceland's "Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu" and Sweden's "Domaredansen." Some light (authentic to the culture) accompaniment. A beautiful, varied collection from World Voices.
| 8364 CD $15.98 |
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LEl Jarabe Tapatio - Noble Yo Paso Las Noches - Noble Romance De Roman Castillo - Noble Balia Di Sehu - Toppenberg Kyrie - Ramirez Gloria - Ramirez Santo - Mendoza Cordero De Dios - Mendoza Congori Shango Jamaican Market Palce - Farrow La Paloma Se Fue Tumbando Cana Alma Llanera - Gutuerrez Cantaremos - Noble Juiaba -Fonseca Ave Maria - Lobos Salmo 150 - Aguiar Chile Lindo - Erickson Chiu, Chiu - Erickson |
Usually giving us a smorgasbord of musical treats from all over the world, Dr. Erickson's fine mixed 40-voice ensemble World Voices focus on Latino music in "Groove." Here are a variety of 19 salsa-flavored, often lightly accompanied, tunes. Favorites include Mexican composer Ariel Ramirez' "Kyrie" and "Gloria" (both from "Misa Criolla"), the Costa Rican tune "Congori Shango," the Cuban song "Tumbando Cana," Venezuelan composer Pedro Gutierrez' "Alma Llanera," Brazilian Carlos Fonseca's "Jubiaba," Heitor Villa-Lobos' "Ave Maria" and Ernani Aguiar's "Salmo 150," all three Brazilian a cappella songs. In fact, we enjoyed every cut on "Groove"–great song selection, some of which are new to us, beautiful, spirited voices expertly directed, it adds up to a great choral collection!
| 8365 CD $15.98 |
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Kalinka Our Father - Gretchaninoff O Come, Let Us Worship - Rachmaninoff Zum Gali Erev Shel Shoshanim - Hadar Hotaru Koi - Ro Ogura Innoria - Patriquin American Indian Songs Ave Maria - Caccini Exulte Deo - Scarlatti Ave Maria - Lobos Gloria - Ramirez Chile Lindo - Solvera Shenandoah - Erb I've Benn Working On The Working On The Railroad Old Folks At Home - Foster Cindy |
Dr. Karle Erickson, Artistic Director and Conductor, formed World Voices in 1996, first of 25 mixed voice singers who had sung previously with him. That number has now grown to an ensemble of voices and instruments of 40 singers, ages 21 to 75. The instrumentalists are chosen because of their association to the specific culture that is the focus of that concert. "Global Palette" is a smorgasbord of 17 tunes from different countries, beginning with 3 Russian tunes, "Kalinka," Gretchaninoff's "Our Father" and Rachmaninoff's "O Come, Let Us Worship." A pair of Israeli songs, "Zum Gali–Dance the Hora!" and Josef Hadar's "Erev Shel Shoshanim," the Japanese children's song "Hotaru Koi," the Mohawk dance song "Innoria" and a nice 7-song medley of "American Indian Songs" by Kenneth Jennings follow. Cuccini's "Ave Maria" and Scarlatti's "Exultate Deo" from Italy, "Ave Maria" by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos, and the vibrant "Gloria from Misa Criolla" by Ariel Ramirez of Argentina are very fine, as is "Chile Lindo" by Clara Solvera. 4 beautifully done American folk tunes close the program, Stephen Foster's "Old Folks at Home" and "Cindy" are standouts. Some light accompaniment. A fine, varied collection by talented World Voices.
| 8366 CD $15.98 |
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Congori Shango Nigra Sum Jamaican Market Place La Paloma Se Fue All My Trials TumBando Cana Our Father Veniki Ahrirang Pengyou Ting God's Son Has Made Me Free Ave Maris Stella A MAiden Is In A Ring Tjuv Och Tjuv A Sailor's Greeting Somebody's Prayin' Goin' Up To Glory Grace Avinu Malkeinu Ya Ba Boom |
"Mosaic" is the premiere CD release by Dr. Erickson's talented, 40 mixed-voice World Voices, who seek to "enhance the awareness and deepen the meaning of the cultural, spiritual and religious roots of music from around the world" with their music. A noble purpose indeed, and these 20 songs, from the folk and religious traditions of Asia, Russia, Israel, the Nordic countries, the Caribbean and the United States, joyously fulfill it. Favorites include the Caribbean tunes "Congori Shango" Larry Farrow's wonderful "Jamaican Market Place," "La Paloma Se Fue" and the Cuban folk song "Tumbando Cana." The Russian folk tune "Veniki," the lovely Chinese tune "Pengyou, Ting!," the Nordic folk songs "A Maiden Is In A Ring" and "A Sailor's Greeting," the American spiritual "Goin' Up to Glory" and the Hebrew "Ya Ba Bom (There Shall Be Peace)" are particularly fine. An impressive debut CD by World Voices. Some light accompaniment.
| 8367 CD $15.98 |
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John Saw Duh Numbuh Wade In The Water He Never Failed Me Yet I've Been Buked Praise His Holy Name Bizakodo Quis Potest Dicere Ave Verum Corpus Cantate Domino Prayer Of The Children Prsi Prsi Good Night Beloved Martin's Homecoming Annie, My Sweetheart Za Tou Nasi Storolickou Tambur Wonfa Nyem Vamuvamba Zungo Praise The Lord |
Founder Karle Erickson directs his 40-strong, mixed-voice World Voices in this collection of 20 powerful songs. The songs are in 3 groups, 5 African-American Spirituals, especially "John Saw Duh Numbuh," "Wade in the Water" and "I've Been 'Buked;" 11 Eastern European tunes, especially "Quis Potest Dicere" by Zdenek Lukas, the lilting "Prsi, prsi," the lovely "Annie, My Sweetheart" and the dramatic "Tambur;" and four African songs, particularly Abraham Adzenyah's harmonic "Wonfa Nyem," Boniface Mganga's "Vamuvamba" and the rhythmic "Zungo." Some accompaniment and percussion, all authentic to the music. We enjoyed every cut of this collection!
| 8368 CD $15.98 |
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Jingle Bells Joy To The World Go Tell It On The Mountain Ihr Kinderlein Kommet El Rorro Jeg Er Saa Glad Twas in The Moon Of Wintertime The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Lulajze Jezuniu Angels We Have Heard On High Da Droben Vom Berge Gloria In Excelsis Deo Come, Hear The Tidings Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day Pengyou Ting El Cielo Canta Alegria Mary Had A Baby Cold December Flies Away Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus |
Who better than the cosmopolitan World Voices to record a collection of Christmas music from around the world. Experience the incredible diversity of musical styles in the songs and carols of Christmas from the choral tradition of countries as diverse as Norway, Catalonia, Mexico, Bohemia China and Poland. Director Karle Erickson does a superb job with many of his arrangements and includes arrangements by others such as Jerry Rubino, David Wilcocks and William Dawson. Highlights include "El Cielo Canta Alegria" and two movements of John Rutter’s "Gloria." Most of the tracks are accompanied.
| 8480 CD $15.98 |
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