Seattle's traditional 'Christmas Ship' on the cover, the award-winning Seattle Girls' Choir, 25 songs, director Jerome Wright, and the beginning of the Choir's collaboration with Jackson Berkey; what more could we ask for Christmas? The CD is mostly accompanied, on piano by Elaine Koga, but Berkey's 'God Be In My Head' is a cappella. The liner notes are lovely and extensive, the songs are marvelously doneÐgreat work, girls!

Composer Jackson Berkey was in San Antonio in 1993 at the National Convention for the American Choral Directors Association when he was blown away by the sound of the Seattle Girls' Choir. He was inspired to create a treble arrangement for one of his new pieces, 'God Be In My Head,' sent it to director Jerome Wright, and a beautiful relationship began. 'God Be In My Head' is the only a cappella tune on the CD, the other 14 are beautifully accompanied by a variety of instruments, from harp and piano to string orchestra, handbells, synthesizer and whip snap. Included are 2 excellent suites by Berkey, 'South Dakota Shadows Suite,' 4 songs; and 'Thoughts and Remembrances,' also 4 songs. The girls in the chorus (25 are listed in the liner notes, but over 60 on their first CD) are indeed cause for Mr. Berkey's enthusiasmÐthis is CD is beautiful and impressive. The liner notes are first class and extensive.

'Cantate 2000' is the third CD done by the SGC with Jackson Berkey, a talented composer and pianist, who also contributed beautiful digital photography and art direction to the stunning liner notes. There are 11 songs in three groupings, 'Cantate 2000,' 'Prime Voci A Cappella' (the two unaccompanied songs on the CD), and 'Voices From the Earth.' All are impressive on many levels. The two very interesting written pieces in the liner notes by Berkey and Wright add to our appreciation for the music.

Seattle is well-known for the vibrancy of its homegrown music. Seattle Girls' Choir's newest CD, 'Mosaic' adds to the richness of the region's musical heritage. 'Mosaic' blends sacred and secular pieces sung in the soaring treble choral style for which the choir is famous. The CD has been released in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Seattle Girls' Choir. 'Mosaic' is a compilation of the choir's all-time favorite classical vocal music that has been sung on tours and at music festivals spanning the United States to some of the great cathedrals of Europe. Some great sacred pieces included are 'Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One,' 'The Song of Solomon,' and the always stirring double choir 'Ave Maria,' by Gustav Holst. Memorable secular pieces included are 'Vier Gesange' by Brahms and Randall Thompson's moving 'Choose Something Like a Star.' Also, another fine recording included is Jackson Berkey's 'Nunc Dimittis.' Berkey's outstanding treble music served as the inspiration for two previous Seattle Girls' Choir CDs. This is an excellent collection of music, for anyone who appreciates beautiful treble choir music!