St. Mary's Children's Choir has been providing performing experiences for youth in southwestern Ontario, Canada since 1981. The 139 choristers of SMCC range in age from 6 to 20 years, and are divided into 4 choirs. These 33 beautiful, upbeat songs, some piano accompanied, are also divided into four groups, 'Praise,' 'Nursery Rhymes,' 'Around the World' and 'The Music In Us.' Favorites are Eleanor Daly's 'Rise Up, My Love' and 'Canticle to the Spirit,' the Jutland folk hymn 'When the Stars Fall,' the spiritual 'Ride The Chariot,' 'Grand Old Duke of York,' Ralph Hunter's 'Humpty Dumpty,' 'Little Bo Peep'and 'Old King Cole,' the traditional Scottish 'Loch Lomond,' Japanese children's song 'Hotaru Koi,' the French Canadian folk song 'Vive la Canadienne,' 'Homeward Bound,' James Taylor's 'That Lonesome Road,' the spiritual 'Let It Shine,' and Berthold Carriere's 'Butterfly Dreams,' 'Important to Me' and 'The Music in Me.' A feel-good, fun, joyous collection from one of Canada's most talented, entertaining children's choirs!

The 90 singers of St. Mary's Children's Choir & Festival Singers are divided into 3 groups conducted by Eileen Baldwin, Brio and Presto, both treble voice choirs, and the Festival Youth Singers, a chamber choir for mixed voices; they are four-time winners of the national Association of Canadian Choral Festivals Competition and have won many more awards. 'Heart of Courage' is an inspirational collection of 21 religious, classical and folk tunes, all accompanied by either piano or organ. Favorite religious cuts are John Rutter's 'I Will Sing With the Spirit,' Handel's 'Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound,' Eleanor Daly's 'The Birds,' Mozart's 'Alleluia,' Mendelsson-Bartholdy's 'Ye Sons of Israel,' Mark Sirett's 'Praise to God,' Simon Lole's 'The Father's Love' and John Butler's 'Psalm 150.' Favorite folk songs are Martin Shaw's 'The Song of the Music Makers,' the rousing 'John Barleycorn,' the Scottish folk song 'Ae Fond Kiss,' the Newfoundland folk song 'I'se The B'y' and three 'Reflections of a Lad at Sea,' 'The Captain's Mate,' 'Thoughts of Home' and 'The Ghost Ship.' Another great collection by one of Canada's favorite, most professional children's groups.

Regarded as one of Canada's finest children's choirs since its formation in 1981, the choir focuses on musicianship, personal growth and a lifelong love of music. 'Angel Choir' is a joyous Christmas collection of 25 songs. Included here are songs we haven't heard, like 'The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter,' the Catalonian carol 'Winter Heaven's Opened,' 'Christmas Angel,' the lilting 'Christ is Here,' 'All Winter Long,' Bob Chilcott's 'Mid-winter' and 'This Joy,' Mansel Thomas' 'Christmas Star,' W.H. Anderson's 'Sleep, Little Jesus,' Alexander Tilley's 'When Christ Was Born of Mary Free,' Michael Coghlan''s 'December's Rose,' Peter Cornelius' 'The Three Kings' and others. Combine those with favorites such as 'Gesu Bambino,' 'Carol of the Bells,' 'O Holy Night' and 'Ring Those Christmas Bells,' and you have a memorable, joyful Christmas album you will want to play year after year! Some narration, and light accompaniment, particularly piano, on most cuts.

St. Marys Children's Choir & Festival Youth Singers was founded in St. Marys, Ontario in 1981 and since then, over 700 young people have participated in its training programs, winning many first places in Canadian Music Festivals Competitions. 'Winter Walk' refers to a lovely evening stroll in 'Stonetown,' along the Thames River, Trout Creek and Little Falls, leading up to a Christmas display of lights in St. Marys' 'The Flats.' 23 lightly accompanied Christmas songs. Particularly nice (and new to our ears) to hear are songs written by Canadian composers: 'What is this Lovely Fragrance' and 'In Bethlehem Tonight' by Norman Nurmi,' 'Watts' Cradle Song' by Ruth Watson Henderson,' 'Tyrley, Tyrlow' and 'I Heard the Bells' by Mark Sirett, and Eleanor Daley's 'Rejoice and Sing this Christmas Morn.' We also particularly liked the title tune, 'Take a Winter Walk with Me' by Mary Donnelly, but there are many wonderful and rarely-heard tunes in this magical collection--that's a sure bet to put you in a Holiday mood, like an evening winter walk in Stonetown.