The 50 boy singers of San Mateo, CA's Ragazzi are conducted by Joyce Keil in this wonderful and diverse collection of songs of praise. From the solemn 14th-century pilgrim song ('Stella Splendens') and the wonderful Renaissance motet ('Salve Regina') to the folk rhythms of the 'Misa Criolla' and the wild instrumental colors of the modern 'Estampie Natalis,' these songs all celebrate the birth of Jesus, and his mother. Taking on the hard work of learning these difficult pieces, the young singers skipped and danced out of the studio after perfecting a song. Other favorites are the 5 movements of Giacomo Perti's 'Magnificat A 4,' and Thomas Luis de Victoria's 'O Sacrum Convivium.' There is some accompaniment by organ, piccolo, strings, recorder, bass and percussion. A joyful, touching effort by talented Ragazzi.

Since its founding in San Mateo, CA in1987, Ragazzi, The Peninsula Boys Chorus has grown to be one of the largest and most successful boy choirs in the San Francisco Bay area. Under the direction of Musical Director and and Co-founder, Joyce Keil, the chorus has toured Canada, Russia and Eastern Europe. 'Good News' is live recordings from concerts given in the 1995 and 1996 seasons. The 20 songs are in 3 categories: sacred repertory, such as Cesar Franck's 'Panis Angelicus,' Bach's 'Ave Maria,' Gabriel Faure's 'Sanctus (from Requiem),' and Elizabeth Poston's 'Jesus Christ, the apple tree;' solos, duets and trios, like Antonio Caldera's 'Alma del core,' Handel's 'Ombra mai fu,' and Bach's 'Wir eilen (from Cantata 78);' and secular repertory, Bedrich Smetana's 'Ma Hvezda,' the Serbian folk song 'Niska Banja,' Zoltan Kodaly's 'Evening Song,' the Slovak folk song 'To ta Hel' pa,' the Greek folk song, 'The Kalanta of the New Year,' and the spiritual 'Ain-a that good news.' Piano, flute and percussion accompaniment on some cuts. A beautiful collection by the talented boys of Ragazzi!

'A Holiday Collection' combines traditional favorites like 'God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen,' 'Silent Night' and 'Angels We Have Heard on High' and sacred music like Mozart's 'Laudate Dominum,' Brahms' 'Ave Maria,' Dietrich Buxtehude's 'Cantate Domino,' and Vivaldi's 'Laudamus Te,' with contemporary originals like Martin Shaw's 'Fanfare for Christmas Day,' David Urrows' 'Verbum Patris Hodie,' Henryk Gorecki's 'Totus Tuus Opus 60' and Daniel Pinkham's 'Evergreen.' Piano or organ accompaniment on most cuts. This is a soaring, lovely Christmas CD by the pride of San Mateo, CA, the Peninsula Boy's Chorus!

Recorded at George Lucas's Skywalker Sound, the music Ragazzi Boy's Chorus to perform on this CD serves to set the scene for the United State premiere of Magnificat, by Canadian Composer Rupert Lang. The texts of the other works they sing on this recording also mix traditional Marian and Nativity music with music celebrating life through various human experiences.