Recorded at the college's Boe Memorial Chapel, Great Hymns of Faith, Vol. III is a magnificent, inspiring collection of 23 songs, many of them accompanied by organ, brass quartet, piano and percussion. Some of our favorites are classics like 'Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer,' 'It Is Well with My Soul,' 'Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,' 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God,' 'Jesus Christ is Risen Today' and 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee;' and lesser-known but equally lovely tunes like 'Gather Us In,' 'Open Your Ears, O Faithful People,' 'Canticle of the Turning,' 'Let the Whole Creation Cry,' 'Come, Ye Disconsolate' and 'Send Me Lord.' Wonderful, spirited harmonies and soaring leads from this powerful, beautiful collegiate ensemble!

A collection of re-mastered archival recordings of the St. Olaf Choir from 1970-1990 under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Jennings

J.S. Bach Mass in B minor conducted by Kenneth Jennings, performed by the St. Olaf Choir and members of the St. Olaf Orchestra. May 26, 1972, St. Olaf College. Soloists: Cora Scholz, Marie Sathrum, Janis Hardy, Lloyd Hanson, Burr McWilliams.

For nearly a century the 75-voice a cappella St. Olaf Choir, long regarded as one of the finest college a cappella choirs in the United States, has maintained its original purpose--study and preparation of choral literature for public performance. Recorded live in St. Olaf's Boe Memorial Chapel between 2001 and 2008, 'Repertoire for Mixed Voices' is a generous, impressive 2-CD set, with 11 songs on each disc, is a powerful, joyous, sometimes accompanied collection of sacred Christian music. Some favorites are Lassus' 'Jubilate Deo,' Byrd's 'Ave Verum Corpus,' a pair by Bach, 'Singet dem Herrn' and 'Lobet den Herrn,' three by Kenneth Jennings, 'The Call,' 'Prayer' and 'Antiphon.' On Disc 2 we especially liked G. Randall Stroope's 'Conversion of Saul,' Tacach's 'The Darkling Thrush,' Miskinis' 'Lucis Creator Optime,' 'Tankuj Tankuij,' Susa's 'The Shepherds Sing,' Guastavino's 'Arroz con leche' and many others. This is a remarkable, inspirational collection that shows of the clear, soaring sound and rich harmonies of the St. Olaf Choir, one of the best in the United States!

St. Olaf College of Northfield, MN celebrated the first St. Olaf Christmas Festival in 1912, directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Music Department. The Festival tells the story of the birth of Christ in narration and music, and features The St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. 'Light of All Creation' is a 2-CD set, with 15 songs on Disc 1 and 16 songs on Disc 2. Most of the songs are orchestrally accompanied, and there are familiar carols like 'All Creatures of Our God and King,' 'Angels from the Realms of Glory,' 'O Come, All Ye Faithful,' 'Good Christian Friends,' 'E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,' the traditional French carol 'What is this Lovely Fragrance' and F. Melius Christiansen's lovely 'Beautiful Savior.' We were pleased to hear some less familiar and new Christmas songs here, such as Richard Dirksen's 'Christ, Mighty Savior,' Charles Wood's 'O Thou the Central Orb,' Joseph Clokey's 'Two Kings,' Dala Melody's 'Prepare the Way,' Stanford Scriven's 'Jesus Christ the Apple Tree,' the Nigerian Folk Song 'Oba Se Je' and Dale Wood's 'Rise, Shine You People.' Other favorites are Rene Clausen's 'Psalm 100: Make a Joyful Noise,' Benjamin Britten's 'Procession and Balulalow' (Ceremony of Carols) and Brian A. Schmidt's 'Lux Aeterna.' Christmas at St. Olaf' is always a memorable, magnificent event, and each year seems to be even more so, but 'Light of All Creation' is one of the best we've ever heard!

'Great Hymns of Faith' marks the first time the ensemble has produced an entire recording of hymns. Traditional and new songs of faith include 'A Mighty Fortress', 'Children of the Heavenly Father', 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross', 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness', 'Here I Am Lord', as well as F. Melius Christiansen's settings of 'Praise to the Lord', and 'Beautiful Savior'. The selections are performed here with the rich tonalities and emotional impact we've come to expect from the internationally acclaimed St. Olaf Choir.

The acclaimed St. Olaf Choir brings us a rich, orchestrally-accompanied, mostly Christian sacred and traditional 'Choral Tapestry,' beginning with Handel's 'Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened' and finishing with Robert Ray's 'He Never Failed Me Yet.' In between are William Byrd's beautiful Latin mass, 'Agnus Dei,' William Billings' 'Easter Anthem,' Lars Oftedal's lovely 'My Heart Is Longing' (sung in both Norwegian and English), Ernani Aguiar's 'Salmo 150' and Peter Mathews' 'O Sacrum Convivium,' both sung in Latin, Grieg's 'Pinsesalme: Velsignede Morgen' from Peer Gynt, David Conte's 'Cantate Domino,' Richard Marlow's 'Veni, Creator Spiritus,' C.E.F. Weyse's lovely 'O Day Full of Grace,' Henk Badings' 'Trois Chansons Bretonnes,' sung beautifully in French, 'Danny Boy,' the lilting traditional Norweigian 'Pal Pa Haugen,' the rhythmic calypso tune 'Jamaican Marketplace' (one of our favorites), the Swahili spiritual 'O Sifuni Mungu,' and the traditional spiritual 'Every Time I Think About Jesus.' Extensive liner notes, with all the words. A rich and sumptious Tapestry!

The St. Olaf Choir was formed in 1911 by Dr. F Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. So began a tradition of a cappella choral singing that continues under the present direction of Anton Armstrong, himself an alumnus of St. Olaf College. Armstrong has incorporated compositions from other cultures, which comprise a good portion of this CD's content. The Latvian 'Ai, Nama Mamina,' South-African 'Freedom Is Coming' and Chinese Folk Song, 'Peng You,' among others, offer fresh contrast. Several tracks have unassuming accompaniment, such as the flute on 'Water Under Snow Is Weary.' The arrangements are conventional in approach and seek to calm, rather than excite. The overall vocal timbre, while grounded in the Western classical tradition, retains a natural unstudied quality.

William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own 'Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony' in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955, lovingly recorded here by the acclaimed St. Olaf Choir with Marvis Martin, soprano. Included are 'Ain'-a That Good News,' 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,' 'Soon Ah Will Be Done,' 'In His Care-O,' 'Hail Mary,' 'Mary Had A Baby,' 'Behold The Star,' 'There Is A Balm In Gilead,' 'Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit,' 'Steal Away' and 'Ezekiel Saw de Wheel.' All a cappella, nice liner notes, great music!

Listen to Ain'a That Good News in RealAudio.

Kenneth Jennings directs the St. Olaf Choir in twelve Christian songs and hymns, all sung in English. 'Three American Hymns' starts us off, followed by Paul Christiansen's 'Easter Morning' and 'King of Love,' Grieg's 'God's Son Has Made Me Free,' Alexander Gretchaninoff's 'Our Father' and 'Nunc Dimittis,' F. Melius Christiansen's lovely 'Celestial Spring' and 'Beautiful Saviour,' Georg Schumann's 'How Great Are Thy Wonders,' Kenneth Jennings' 'Today, Heaven Sings,' Olaf C. Christiansen's (these guys have to be brothers) 'Sing Nowell, Sing Gloria' and 'Hacia Belen va un Borrico' arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. A cappella, beautifully sung!

This recording of the St. Olaf Choir conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong entitled Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises! features many highlights of the choir's recent touring repertoire. These choral settings reflect the increasing musical diversity that has become a hallmark of the ensemble.

Anton Armstrong conducts the St. Olaf Choir in 14 sacred and traditional Christian songs: Robert Stone's 'The Lord's Prayer,' Palestrina's 'Exsultate Deo,' Juan de Lienas' 'Coenantibus Autem Illis,' Ned Rorem's 'Praise The Lord, O My Soul, Roberto Caamano's 'Dilexi, Quoniam Exaudiet Dominus,' Robert A. Harris' 'Canticle: The Hungry Angels,' 'Lord Of The Dance,' Steven Leek's 'Ngana (Songs of Passage), 'Three Scottish Folk Songs,' 'Halle, Halle, Halle,' Allen Pote's 'The Lord Is My Shepherd' and Byron J. Smith's 'Worthy To Be Praised.' Extensive liner notes with all the words. All a cappella, and of the highest quality, as we've come to expect from the St. Olaf Choir!

Those familiar with the works of St. Olaf's know that the choir is part of a long tradition of Scandinavian chorale singing, which often features the compositions and arrangements of the venerated F. Melius Christiansen. One of his arrangements, 'O Day Full of Grace,' is included here, as well as a seventeenth century spiritual, 'O Savior, Throw the Heavens Wide'; a Greek vespers (evening prayer service) hymn, 'Hail, Gladdening Light,' and various other liturgies. There is piano accompaniment on 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' and the spiritual, 'Here's a Pretty Little Baby.' The purity of the tones and blend is all the more amazing, as the recording was done live. Elegant and pristine.

The St. Olaf Choir was founded by F. Melius Christiansen in 1911 who had come to St. Olaf College in 1903 to organize the music department. It was he who fostered the tradition of a cappella sacred music. Now Anton Armstrong is the fourth conductor in the history of the choir who adds his interest in the Western European choral music and both U.S. and global folk music into the repertorial mix of this historic choir. Thus we'll find folk songs, Bach, Rachmaninoff, and compositions of Kenneth Jennings who was the choir's third director. You will share sacred music from a variety of countries in a whole host of musical settings, from pure a cappella to selections accompanied by solo piano, organ, or viola. Lovely!

The St. Olaf Choir, under the direction of Kenneth Jennings, sings a variety of Christmas music and Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes on this beautiful recording.

On this 2 disc set of digitally remastered recordings one hears the legendary sounds of the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of F. Melius Christansen with famed soloist Gertrude Boe Overby.

Olaf Christiansen's years as conductor of the St. Olaf Choir spanned some 27 years. He joined his father F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the choir, as co-director in 1941, and in 1943 became the sole conductor, a position he held until his retirement in 1968. This two-disc CD provides a sampling of music taken from restored recordings dating 1950 to 1968. The first disc contains music from the latter 1960s; the second, mostly from the 1950s

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of its founding, the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Kenneth Jennings embarked on its first tour of the Orient. The choir sang concerts in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China and Hawaii. The tour was preceded by a gala concert at the World Theater in St. Paul.

This album was recorded live by the St. Olaf Choir, Kenneth Jennings, conductor, at the magnificent Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The concert commemorated the 300th anniversary of the birth of J.S. Bach & Heinrich Schutz.

Broadcast world-wide in 1989, this program of choral Christmas music was featured in a one-hour PBS special.

A Christmas Tradition at St. Olaf College in Northville, MN, since it was begun in 1912 by the late F. Melius Christianson, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is an expression of the school's Christian conviction and rich musical heritage. Included are the St. Olaf Choir, chapel Choir and the Viking Chorus, the Campus Choir, the Manitou Singers, the St. Olaf College Orchestra and the St. Olaf Handbell Ensemble. Thousands of people attend the concerts year after year, and they are treated to a magnificent, dramatic retelling of the Christmas story in song. All orchestrally accompanied, there are 21 songs, beginning with the magical 'Fantasia on Greensleeves' and continuing from the sacred, like 'Vox Dicentis: Clama' and 'Hodie, Christus Natus Est,' to familiar carols, 'Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming?,' the title tune and 'I Saw Three Ships,' to the eclectic, lesser-known Christian music, 'And God Said: The Day Shall Dawn' and 'Salvation Is Created.' 'What Child Is This' is a wonderful collection of choral and orchestral talent, marvelous music arranged and directed by the finest, culminating in a huge, multi-faceted pageant of celebration and praise!

The St. Olaf Choir was formed in 1911 by Dr. F Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. So began a tradition of a cappella choral sacred music that remains strong and vital today. 23 pieces, such songs as Edward Elgar's 'Adagio,' Christiansen's 'Light Everlasting,' and 'The Song Of Peace,' Bartholdi's 'There Shall Be A Star,' Paulus' 'Pilgrim's Hymn,' Daniel Gawthrop's 'Mary Speaks,' Paul Lohman's 'What Child,' our friend Moses Hogan's arrangement of 'This Little Light of Mine,' Williams' 'Dona Nobis Pacem,' Hovland's 'Stay With Us' and 'Beautiful Savior.' The music is that of angels, and the focus of this wonderful CD is what the holiday is all about, the birth of Christ. Excellent!

Listen to Adam Lay Ybounden in RealAudio.

The St. Olaf Choir was formed in 1911 by Dr. F Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. So began a tradition of a cappella choral sacred music that remains strong and vital today. 23 pieces, such songs as Edward Elgar's 'Adagio,' Christiansen's 'Light Everlasting,' and 'The Song Of Peace,' Bartholdi's 'There Shall Be A Star,' Paulus' 'Pilgrim's Hymn,' Daniel Gawthrop's 'Mary Speaks,' Paul Lohman's 'What Child,' our friend Moses Hogan's arrangement of 'This Little Light of Mine,' Williams' 'Dona Nobis Pacem,' Hovland's 'Stay With Us' and 'Beautiful Savior.' The music is that of angels, and the focus of this wonderful CD is what the holiday is all about, the birth of Christ. Excellent!

An invitation to participate in the seoul Olympic Arts Festival in seoul, Korea, came as a spectacular honor to the St. Olaf Choir and director Kenneth Jennings . One of only five choirs in the world to be so honored, the St. Olaf Choir participated with four other choral groups, one each from Germany, Brazil, Canada and Japan, in a week-long International Choral Festival as part of a month-long celebration of the arts prior to the opening of the 1988 seoul Olympic Games. This two-disc live recording is from the 'Regents' Concert' in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, on August 11, 1988, sponsored by the St. Olaf College Board of Regents as a festive send-off for the choir.

Out of Darkness Let Me Shine is the 75th anniversary recording of the Christmas at St. Olaf festival. This program features the many combined choirs and orchestra of this legendary musical institution. Selections include many hymns set by the music school founder F. M. Christiansen (This Night; Praise to the Lord; Beautiful Savior) and his son and successor Olaf (Guiding Star Carol; Now is Born Emmanuel) and pieces by George F. Handel (And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah)and Randall Thompson (Walk as Children of Light). This CD is full of a variety which is sure to have something for everyone.

The St. Olaf Choir has a long standing reputation of being one of the best college choirs in the country. Great Hymns of Faith II maintains the group's high standards of music making. This recording is a follow up to their immensely popular CD, Great Hymns of Faith, which has sold 270,000 copies. An assortment of some of the best loved hymns, this will surely be a favorite too. Led by Anton Armstrong, the choir sings familiar tunes such as 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,' arranged by John Ferguson, 'My Faith Looks Up To Thee,' arranged by Lowell Mason and 'This Little Light of Mine,' arranged by Moses Hogan, as well as many arrangements by founder F.M. Christiansen. This CD also includes very informative notes on the meanings and original sources for the hymns. An excellent recording!

Listen to The King of Love My Shepherd Is in RealAudio.

The Celestial Country was composed sometime before 1900, probably when Ives was organist at the fashionable First Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and it was scored for choir, strings and organ. This dramatic, symphonic work uses choruses, an a cappella chorus and instrumental interludes, and bold unresolved dissonances. Ives strives for a modern, more streamlined expression, though indulging in a Wagnerian finale, as much Wagner as he would ever display in a lifetime of composing. The veteran 75 mixed-voice St. Olaf Choir brings a fresh, immediate feel to this material, as if we are present for the first performance of this work in April, 1902 at Central Presbyterian Church in NYC. First we have the 12 movements of 'Celestial Country,' then 9 movements of 'Silence Accompanied,' written in the final years of Ives' creative life, the aftermath of WWI and the defeat of Wilson's plan for the League of Nations. 'Aria for Baritone, 'Chorus A Cappella,' 'Double Chorus A Cappella,' 'Aria for Tenor' and 'Chorale & Finale' are particularly fine from 'Celestial Country;' 'Afterglow,' 'The Collection,' 'Duty/Vita/Duty,' 'Carol,' 'Sunrise' and 'Mists' in 'Silence.' Beautifully illustrated, complete liner notes tell us all about the composer, the music and the Choir.

Listen to Double chorus a cappella in RealAudio.

Northfield, MN's St. Olaf College welcomed author and humorist Garrison Keillor to their campus in spring, 2001 for a benefit performance. It went so well he was back within a year with his 'A Prairie Home Companion' for a live broadcast that included repeat performances with the St. Olaf Choir and Orchestra, and the Limestones, a six-male student a cappella vocal ensemble. This CD is all from that live performance. There are 21 songs, narrated throughout by Keillor. His 'St. Olaf travelogue, Holiday in Delaware' has the audience in stitches as he describes St. Olaf denizens in hilarious detail, and his 'Winter Camping vignette' is a classic. There are purely instrumentals like 'Mambo (from West Side Story),' and 'Varen (Spring), Op.33, No. 2);' but our favorites are a cappella and accompanied vocal pieces: 'Beautiful Savior,' 'Keep Your Lamps,' 'Choral Blues,' 'Have a Little Faith' by the Limestones, 'Holy Trinity vignette,' 'Arroz Con Leche,' 'Danny Boy,' 'We Praise You, O God,' and 'Children of the Heavenly Father.' There is some percussion (by the St. Olaf Percussion Ensemble), and accompaniment on some songs. All in all, 'Companion' is a fun and entertaining show, and a showcase for the musical talent of all types that clearly flourishes at St. Olaf.

'Child of Light' is a 2 CD set recorded at the 93rd Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, performed in December of 2004 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and it includes the Chapel Choir, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Orchestra, and Viking Chorus, performing as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. The CDs included narration and instrumental works, but the focus is on the voices and the beautiful traditional and original Christmas music. We particularly liked Graeme Morton's 'In The Spendor' and 'A Spotless Rose,' Olaf Christiansen's 'Light Everlasting,' Alexandre Gretchaninoff's 'Our Father' and 'Only Begotten Son,' John Rutter's 'Candlelight Carol,' Steven Amundson's 'Angels' Dance,' traditional hymns 'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,' Handl's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born,' 'Lo, How A Rose,' 'I Saw Three Ships,' 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and 'Beautiful Savior' by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the music program and the event in 1912. 32 cuts, many symphonically accompanied. Powerful, beautiful, triumphant music from one of the oldest and finest Christmas music festivals in America.

This recording by the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Kenneth Jennings was recorded live in The Grieg Hall at the Bergen International Festival in Bergen, Norway. The critics were unanimous in their praise of the concert: On many occasions we have had proof of the high standards of American University choirs, but among these St. Olaf stands at the very top . . . --Anton Chr. Meyer, Morgenavisen Bergen International Music Festival Of the many American choirs which have come to Norway over the years, St. Olaf Choir must be the very best. --Johan Kvandal, Aftenposten, Oslo

In 2005, the renowned St. Olaf Choir recorded a St. Olaf Christmas in Norway with the Nidarosdomens Jentekor and esteemed soloist Randi Stene in Trondheim, Norway. The recording honors Norway's 100 years of independence and celebrates the historic and cultural connecitons between St. Olaf College and the country of Norway

This special is the seventh in a popular series of PBS holiday concerts that have featured the St. Olaf Choir. The Christmas concert commemorates the centennial of Norway's independence and the cultural roots of St. Olaf College, founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants. Singing in the majestic, 900-year-old Trondheim Cathedral was a highlight for the internationally known St. Olaf Choir, which has performed in prestigious music venues around the world since its founding in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. Christiansen established the choir's distinctive style of a cappella singing, a tradition carried on today by artistic director and conductor-and St. Olaf College alumnus-Anton Armstrong.

For many people over the years, the celebration of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season has begun with the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, a cherished tradition of the college for nearly a century. The first festival, in 1912, was a worship service in song for the college community, planned and directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.. Performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble are: The St. Olaf Choir, directed by Christopher Aspaas; The St. Olaf Cantorei, directed by John Ferguson; the Manitou Singers, directed by Sigrid Johnson; and the St. Olaf Orchestra, directed by Steven Amundson.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their founding in 1986 as a co-ed a cappella rock and pop group from the University of Pennsylvania, the Loafers have appeared over the years on a number of excellent compilations of the best of collegiate a cappella; and on their own CDs, such as 1997's 'Diesel,' 1998's 'Ride!,' 2000's 'On the Floor,' 2002's 'Stealing Time' and 2004's 'Barely Legal.' 'Quicksand' has 14 rich, beautifully-arranged covers; a pair by Snow Patrol, 'Chocolate' and 'Run;' Maya Varthi has a wonderful lead on Aimee Mann's 'Humpty Dumpty,' and there's a pair of hot covers of Kelly Clarkson's 'Because of You' and 'Addicted,' again featuring Varthi. Beck's 'Girl,' Chantal Kreviazuk's 'Time' and Sia's 'Breathe Me' are other favorites. The Loafers have a full, rich, confident sound with some of the best soloists we've heard at the collegiate level. Treat yourself to 'Quicksand' and fall in love with the '05-'06 Penny Loafers!

This is a 2-CD set of one of the largest and most magnificent Christmas events, the 95th annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, featuring the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and a massed ensemble. In reviews of previous festivals, we often wondered if anything had to be left on the cutting room floor, but with this 2-CD set removes all such thoughts. John Steiner's 'God So Loved the World,' Caroline Jennings' 'Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain,' 'Christ is Alive,' Founder F. Melius Christiansen's 'Lost in the Night,' John Ferguson's 'Isaiah's Voice' and 'Mary's Story and The Magnificat,' Paul Webber's 'Arise, Shine,' Rosephayne Powell's 'The Word Was God,' Miles Lane's 'All Hail the Power,' Benjamin Britten's 'The Spirit of the Lord'É these beautiful songs are interspersed with narration about the story of Christmas. If you have heard one or more of these collections, you will know how wonderful and inspiring they are. If you haven't, prepare yourself for a sumptuous Christmas treat!

Listen to Lost In The Night in RealAudio.

Recorded on the campus of St. Olaf College in Boe Memorial Chapel between 2001 and 2006 this recording presents a great selection of material from this top a cappella choir. Whitacre's 'A Boy and a Girl' is a particular delight.

F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the Music Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, planned and directed the first St. Olaf Christmas Festival in 1912. Over the next 96 years the Festival has grown to include, as individual groups and as a massed ensemble, the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, the St. Olaf Cantorei, The Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir. The result of the coming together of all this huge and joyous talent easily fills two CDs, 30 pieces with some narration that tell the story of Christmas, beginning with the all-instrumental 'Messiah, Prince of Peace' and ending with F. Melius' gorgeous 'Beautiful Savior.' It's hard to pick favorites, but 'For Unto Us a Child is Born' from Handel's 'Messiah,' Steven Sametz' 'Noel!,' Carl Schalk's 'Before the Marvel of This Night,' Donald Fraser's 'This Christmastide' (Jessye's Carol), the 6-part medley 'Carols for the Choirs' arranged by John Ferguson, F. Melius' lovely 'Lullaby on Christmas Eve' and Arthur Honegger's 'And God Said: One Day Shall Dawn' (King David) come easily to mind. The recordings from this powerful event never fail to touch and move us. Magnificent!

F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the Music Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, planned and directed the first St. Olaf Christmas Festival in 1912. Over the next 96 years the Festival has grown to include, as individual groups and as a massed ensemble, the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, the St. Olaf Cantorei, The Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir. The result of the coming together of all this huge and joyous talent easily fills two CDs, 30 pieces with some narration that tell the story of Christmas, beginning with the all-instrumental 'Messiah, Prince of Peace' and ending with F. Melius' gorgeous 'Beautiful Savior.' It's hard to pick favorites, but 'For Unto Us a Child is Born' from Handel's 'Messiah,' Steven Sametz' 'Noel!,' Carl Schalk's 'Before the Marvel of This Night,' Donald Fraser's 'This Christmastide' (Jessye's Carol), the 6-part medley 'Carols for the Choirs' arranged by John Ferguson, F. Melius' lovely 'Lullaby on Christmas Eve' and Arthur Honegger's 'And God Said: One Day Shall Dawn' (King David) come easily to mind.

One of the most enduring musical Christmas traditions, Northfield, Minnesota's St. Olaf College celebrated its 97th Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival in December of 2008. This massive event features the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble with the St. Olaf Orchestra. The program is narrated, telling the story of the birth of Christ, 'illustrated' by carols, spirituals, classical Christian pieces and original songs such as the final cut, 'Beautiful Savior,' written by the founder of the Festival and St. Olaf's musical program, F. Melius Christiansen. Presenting this 32-part event in its entirety requires two CDs, beginning with Steven Amundson's 'The Gift,' and it's hard to pick favorites. Certainly the 6-part 'Carols from Around the World' medley needs to be included, the a cappella 'How Great Are Thy Wonders,' Z. Randall Stroope's accompanied 'There Is No Rose,' the Basque Carol 'The Angel Gabriel,' the Irish traditional 'Canticle of the Turning,' Jester Hairston's 'Mary's Little Boy Child,' Gian Carl Menotti's 'Shepherd's Dance,' and the Danish tune 'Bright and Glorious is the Sky.' A tremendous event, filled with joyous singing and the telling of a wonderful story. Entensive liner notes give us the lyrics to all songs, and details about the music and St. Olaf College.

Listen to Welcome, All Wonders in RealAudio.

Founded at Northfield, MN's St. Olaf College by F. Melius Christiansen, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, which tells the story of the birth of Christ through music and narration, gets bigger and better every year! It features the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Chapel Choir, the Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus; performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. 'A Child, A Son, The Prince of Peace' is a two-CD set, with 13 beautiful and moving cuts on Disc One, and 18 on Disc Two. Gorgeous, inspiring and magnificent, from beginning to end!

Recorded at the college's Boe Memorial Chapel, Great Hymns of Faith, Vol. III is a magnificent, inspiring collection of 23 songs, many of them accompanied by organ, brass quartet, piano and percussion. Some of our favorites are classics like 'Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer,' 'It Is Well with My Soul,' 'Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,' 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God,' 'Jesus Christ is Risen Today' and 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee;' and lesser-known but equally lovely tunes like 'Gather Us In,' 'Open Your Ears, O Faithful People,' 'Canticle of the Turning,' 'Let the Whole Creation Cry,' 'Come, Ye Disconsolate' and 'Send Me Lord.' Wonderful, spirited harmonies and soaring leads from this powerful, beautiful collegiate ensemble!