The well-known children's choir Chorus Angelicus (the Angelic Choir), founded in 1991 by three-time Grammy Award-winning composer, Paul Halley, is administered by the unique and inspiring choral organization, Torrington, CT's Joyful Noise. They transform the lives of 90 children from more than 15 towns in Northwest Connecticut and the Berkshires. The 45 mixed-voice Chorus members, ages 8-15, travel twice weekly to receive training in the art of singing, reading and understanding music and music theory, and adhere to a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and concerts. 'Untraveled Worlds' is a musical world tour, beginning with the US and a Halley original, the title tune, and later we hear another Halley original, 'God Be Merciful Unto Us.' England's 'Drop, Drop Slow Tears,' Finland's 'Who Can Sail,' Russia's 'Gladsome Light,' South Africa's 'Mbiri Kuna Mwari' and Scotland's 'The Grey Selchie' are particularly nice, as is Serbia's lilting 'Niska Banja.' Ireland's 'The Song of Wandering Aengus,' Lithuania's 'Nepusk, vejeli' and Canada's heart-tugging folk tune 'Away From the Roll of the Sea' round out the collection of 20 songs. Through hard work and dedication these young singers learn to blend their voices to create the unique sound that is Chorus Angelicus, one of the best children's choruses in the world! Some light accompaniment.

This CD is a lovely assortment of familiar Christmas carols. The opening carol, 'Once in Royal David's City' with soloist Maribeth Diggle is especially nice as voices are gradually added until the full choir is singing. Most pieces are a cappella with a few accompanied by organ. Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus are both directed by Paul Halley. The combination of the children's and adult choirs creates a beautiful sound. This is a delightful treat for Christmas.

Paul Halley's renowned choirs Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus pair up for another spectacular offering. The choirs sing with precision and clarity while incorporating a warmth and immediacy to the performance of each song. What Child Is This? comprises a selection of the new, adventurous, and less familiar sacred Christmas repertoire, much of it performed in recent years in the choirs' annual Christmas Angelicus concert series (now in its sixteenth season and broadcast annually by National Public Radio.) More than half the arrangements on the CD are Halley's work, which adds a refreshing, new sound to this mix of Christmas music. Halley's arrangements and compositions, written for these choirs and previously unrecorded, deliver the adventurous harmonies and captivating lyricism for which he is celebrated.

Listen to Agnus Dei in RealAudio.

Paul Halley directs his acclaimed choirs in spirited performances his choral works of with organ and brass accompaniment, from the popular suite Love Songs for Springtime, and the magnificent setting of the Appalachian hymn Wondrous Love.