New Releases and Additions

Lustre : Let's Sing

Review: Lustre, Tenor Kate, Lead Lori Crouter, Baritone Lori Dreyer, and Bass Jenny started their musical adventure in 2005 with Baltimore's Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus, receiving several Sweet Adelines Regional and International awards, most recently being named 2013 SAI 7th Place International Finalists. In Feb. of 2013 they won the Mid Atlantic Harmony Sweeps Regional and blew us away at the National Finals in San Rafael, placing 2nd in an incredibly strong field! "Let's Sing!" is their debut album, quickly funded on Kickstarter, and it captures the vocal entertainment power and big fun of these remarkable 4 ladies. Some favorite among the 13 winners are the Disney standard "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," "Flirty Eyes," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Let's Sing Again,""Nobody Does It Like Me," "What Kind of Fool Am I?" "South Rampart Street Parade" and the very funny "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas." The Harmony Sweeps Finals attracts the best in the world in vocal harmony--these gals almost won it all, and rightly so. Don't miss this one!

Songlist: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Flirty Eyes, The Bandstand in Central Park, The Way You Look Tonight, Let's Sing Again, I Look At You, The Moment I Saw Your Eyes, Lovely Way To Spend An Evening, Nobody Does It Like Me, What Kind Of Fool Am I?, South Rampart Street Parade, Let the Words, I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

A Mighty Wind : Something in the Air

Review: Tenor Paul, Lead Tim, Baritone Clay and Bass Drew are highly decorated BHS veterans, and it's no surprise that A Mighty Wind (great name, by the way) is the current BHS 3rd Place International Medalist quartet. "Something In The Air" is their hot-off-the-presses debut recording and it contains 12 winners, some that particularly caught our ear are Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," Sam Cooke's "Cupid," Roger Miller's crossover hit "King of the Road," Sol Weinstein's "The Curtain Falls," Robert Wells and David Holt's "Mobile," Mosie Lister's "I'm Feeling Fine," and Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep." These guys are funny, the arrangements (several by the talented Clay Hine, who won 1991 Gold with FRED) are top-drawer, and they can entertain and harmonize like angels. The Wind is rising!

Songlist: Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue, I've Got You Under My Skin, Cupid, You Must Come In at the Bottom, My Gal Sal, King of the Road, The Curtain Falls, Mobile, Bill Grogan's Goat, I'm Feeling Fine, Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, Watch What Happens

Toronto Children's Chorus : Sounzscapes

Review: With performances spanning the last five years, Sounzscapes: From Our Lands celebrates Elise Bradley's first five years as Artistic Director of the Toronto Children's Chorus, and features works from both Canadian and New Zealand composers, representing a true melding of cultures - the Toronto-based Chorus, and Ms. Bradley's native New Zealand. The music includes Maori pieces rarely heard outside of New Zealand, including the Maori kapa haka piece "I Te Timatanga" (In the Beginning) and "Te Iwi E" (To the People). The Canadian music includes Srul Irving Glick's beautiful "Magic Prayer" from Three Songs of the Light and Allister MacGillvray's famous and haunting "Song for the Mira". The Toronto Children's Chorus is often called the finest chorus of treble voices in the world.

Songlist: I Te Timatanga, Cantate Domino, Ohana I runga rawa, Magic Prayer, Magnificat, Child with the Starry Crayon, Peace Song, Sanctus, Weep No More, Watane, Tsimshian Welcome Chant, Cape Breton Lullaby, Te Iwi E, Song for the Mira, I Went to the Market

Sabine Horstmann : Choral Vocal Technique

Review: Frauke Haasemann and her teachings regarding vocal technique have become legendary. Thousands of choral conductors have benefited from her books and workshops. Now, her primary student in Europe, Sabine Horstmann, has published and newly recorded her creative exercises based on the teachings of Frauke Haasemann. On this DVD, Horstmann demonstrates the vocal technique sequences covered in her book, which in the past have been difficult to convey on just ink and paper. This DVD provides an overview of choral vocal technique for choirs at any level of development. The sequential exercises Horstmann demonstrates can serve as the central part of vocal training for any choir. Sabine Horstmann, instructor of Group Vocal Technique and voice at the Robert-Schumann Music University in Dusseldorf, has extensive experience working with singers of all ages. The focal point of her career is her intense work with a variety of choral groups, from children's choirs through adult choirs, and the further education of young conductors through her teaching of Group Vocal Technique and Conducting in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. Horstmann studied voice at Folkwang Music University of Essen with Professor Jakob Stampfli.

Songlist: An overview of the "how" and "why" of vocal pedagogy, Techniques for teaching posture, breathing, resonance, and relaxation, Exercises for high range, low range, dynamics, and diction, Suggestions for planning the choral warm-up, Canonic exercises for developing voice and ear

James Jordan : Conducting Technique Etudes

Review: In this volume of etudes for conductors, James Jordan details a ground-breaking pedagogy for the development of conducting skills. This method is based on a sequential harmonic process to inform and define conducting gesture. This book is revolutionary because it employs a process of score study to develop what Dr. Jordan calls "kinesthetic/harmonic audiation." Conductors of all skill levels will profoundly benefit from these new ideas. While instrumentalists and keyboardists for decades have had books of daily "etudes" for the development of technique, conducting pedagogy has not had the benefit of such a rigorous technical course of study. This book teaches conductors to make gestural decisions based upon harmonic rhythm and uses the gestural vocabulary of Rudolf Laban as the beginning "vocabulary" from which a conductor can make decisions. This book of etudes differs from other approaches because it views harmonic progression as the primary vehicle by which to learn conducting technique.

Songlist: Knowledge and Awareness of your Architecture, Patterning, Respond Intuitively, Breathing within the Envelope, Root Analyis, Density Analysis, Developing Harmonic / Kinesthetic Audiation, Spatial Audiation, Audiational Assimilation, Breath as an Etude, Pedagogical Path of these Etudes, Foundation of Harmonic Rhythm, Does Gesture Influence Sound?, Use and Study of the Harmonic Etudes, Body mapping, The Labian Rudiments, Practices

Jerry Rubino : An American Christmas

Review: Showcasing the talents of some of North America's best choral arrangers and composers, An American Christmas presents sixteen Yuletide treats that are guaranteed to add zest to any choir's repertoire. Drawing on a variety of styles including gospel, country, blues, and jazz An American Christmas presents some of the season's best-loved carols in a fresh light and there are also wonderful new original works by Libby Larsen and James Bassi. With opportunities for soloists and a variety of choral textures, this collection is bound to add an American sparkle to your ensemble's festivities.

Songlist: A Simple Gloria, Away In a Manger, Children, Go Where I Send Thee, D'ou Viens-tu Bergere?, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Huron Carol, I Saw Three Ships, Joy to the World!, Lullee, Lullai, Lullo, Lullabye, O Holy Night, Oh What a Wonderful Child, On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol), Shepherds Rejoice!, Silent Night, The Blasts of Chill December

Various Arrangers : Songs of Africa for Female Voices Vol 2

Review: Bobobo is a traditional dance of the Ewe people in the Volta Region of Ghana. There are many variations from village to village, and many songs may be used. A village rendition is a lively event and will often last all day or night. The popular worship song "Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe " from Kenya can be performed in a variety of ways, by adding movement while singing, incorporating percussion instruments into the performance, or as a processional. Opening with a simple unison melody, the song progresses into two parts and finally adds a descant-like 3rd voice part. "Nakutakia Siku Njema! " is accessible for young choirs, and makes fun of common tourist phrases in Swahili, so don't look for a deep meaning in the text! A rhythmic pulse provides lots of fun for the singers and creates an exciting performance! "Duond Akuru" is based on the Kenyan phrase for "the voice of the dove" this composition combines the imagery of the African landscape and its musical essence.

Songlist: Bobobo Suite, Duond Akuru, Nakutakia Siku Njema! (Have a nice day), Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe

Exboyfriends : Happy Ending

Review: Seven member, all male classic a cappella rockers The Exboyfriends were the classic "small NYC clubs to Sweepstakes" story, starting out in the former in 1993 and working their way up to the latter, winning Audience Favorite at the 2000 Harmony Sweeps National Finals in San Rafael, CA. Along their journey they appeared on VH1, Nickelodeon, NBC's Today show, the Howard Stern Show and many others. They also opened for groups like the Marshall Tucker Band and the Edgar Winter Group. "A Cappella's Dead," their 1999 debut CD, won rave reviews from us and was called the "classic rock album a cappella has been waiting for" by RARB. Their follow up "Karaoke Bar Brawl" won even more praise, being nominated for two CARA awards, and was one of RARB's "Picks of 2003" for album of the year. At the time of their "farewell" 2008 show, "Happy Ending" lay unfinished in digital purgatory, but after a long break from performing and recording the 7 guys got together to finish the album with producer Ed Chung, and staged a reunion concert in their hometown in May of 2013. After all that background, we'll be brief: we loved the ExBs at the 2000 Finals, and "Happy Ending" is a beautiful, powerful a cappella cover album of 10 songs, one of the best we've heard this year! Beside the hauntingly surreal Pink Floyd anthem "In The Flesh," some of our favorites are The Eagles' "Hotel California," which segues into a manic salsa-flavored party with body percussion and faux trumpets; U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday," and B. Brown's "Teenage Dirtbag," which necessitated a Parental Advisory on the album cover ("We Curse A Lot"). J. Walsh's classic "Life's Been Good" and M. Jones' "Feels Like the First Time" are stone winners, as is D. Roeser's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and the top-40 hits "Dirty Work" and "Hunger Strike." It's been a long wait to hear more sweetly arranged, top-tier a cappella from the Exboyfriends, but after listening to "Happy Endings" we, and a lot of their fans, are wishing they had never left!

Songlist: In The Flesh, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Dirty Work, (Don't Fear) The Reaper, In The End, Feels Like The First Time, Hunger Strike, Hotel California, Teenage Dirtbag, Life's Been Good

Philip Lawson : The Birds and the Bees

Review: Mixed choruses and chamber ensembles will frequently use and enjoy this collection of English madrigals, selected and edited by former King's Singer Philip Lawson.

Songlist: The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight, Of All The Birds, Sweet Honey-Sucking Bees, Sweet Suffolk Owl, The Silver Swan

Christy Elsner : Gadgets for Great Singing

Review: Need a fresh approach to teaching dynamics, facial expression, phrasing, and musicality? Use a gadget! Unleash your creative beast with clever everyday "gadgets" redesigned for use in the choral classroom by music educator and choral conductor Christy Elsner. These inexpensive learning tools provide endless inventive ideas for introducing and reinforcing all elements of vocal pedagogy including breath, resonant tone, vowel formation, tongue placement, and diction. They also promote kinesthetic awareness and physical memory, empowering the individual singers and the entire class as a whole to be great singers.

Songlist: Cookie, Food and the Five Basic Vowels, Kitchen Utensils, The Marshmellow, Straws, Toothpicks, Candy, Bowls, Paintbrushes, Rubber Bands, Sponges, Stickers, Flashlights, Clothes Pins, Twinkle Lights, Ladder, Candles, Face Paint, Bubbles and Feathers, Balls, Mirrors

Cristi Cary Mille : Quick Starts for Young Choirs

Review: Get your singers' attention with Quick Starts! Begin each class period or rehearsal with five minutes of creative, singer-tested activities to help focus and develop musicianship. Warm-up the body and voice with muscle movement activities, moving while you sing, and vocal exercises. Sharpen your singers' focus with games, tension breakers and ear training. Develop music skills with sight-singing, music dictation, music writing, theory and more. As educators and directors, Cristi Miller and Angie McKenna share the ideas they have used in their classrooms and rehearsals with great success. Complete with graphics and music examples, Quick Starts will get each rehearsal off to a great start!

Songlist: Warm-Ups, Tension Breakers, Sight Singing, Ear Training, Games, Teaching the Song, Tricks for Better Singing, Music Writing and Theory Fun

Cantabile - The London Quartet : A Festival of Carols in Two Minutes

Review: In the space of two minutes, enjoy singing favorite moments from nearly 30 Christmas carols and songs in this medley arranged by Cantabile - the London Quartet. Lots of fun for everybody!

Songlist: A Festival of Carols in Two Minutes

Janet Day : Church Choir Warm-Ups

Review: This valuable resource is essential for every church choir director. These warm-ups and activities will help prepare voices, bodies and spirits to share the Word through song. The opening prayers and meditations will help center your rehearsals. The vocal exercises will guide singers to produce a free and open tone, develop clean articulation and diction, improve resonance and intonation - all while singing inspirational words and passages. The group activities will develop a camaraderie that every church choir should know. The enclosed enhanced audio CD provides a demonstration recording of each vocal exercise to use with full choir, small group or individual practice, plus printable, reproducible, projectable PDFs of each singer exercise. Use these meaningful exercises, prayers and activities to enhance your music ministry at any level.

Songlist: Warming Up The Soul, Warming Up the Body, Breathe in the Support, Feel the Spirit, Warming Up The Voice, Let Your Voices Sing Praise, Let Us Grow Up in the Lord, Sing God's Word Clearly, Warming Up to Each Other

New Tradition Chorus : Bandstand

Review: 1982 was a banner year for Northbrook, IL, as it was the year a Barbershop legend, The New Tradition Chorus, was founded, directed by Jay Giallombardo. Varying in size from 95 to 138 men, TNTC won their first SPEBSQSA medal in 1987, which began a remarkable streak of success in international chorus competition. They medaled every year, including a record 5 Silver medals in a row, until they finally grabbed the Gold in 2001! "Bandstand" is generous collection of 13 tunes and medleys that will warm your heart as well as that of your favorite jukebox, some of our favorites are the medleys: "50s Medley," "Jersey Boys Medley" containing the hits "Let's Hang On," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Working My Way Back to You" and "Walk Like a Man" and "Smile Medley;" "Bandstand Boogie," Roger Miller's crossover hit "King of the Road," The Turtles' bubblegum classicHappy Together," John Phillips' sweet Mamas and Papas anthem "Monday, Monday," Len "non/McCartney's "Lady Madonna," Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow" and "Wind Beneath My Wings/You Raise Me Up" by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar. Director Giallombardo does most of the arrangements for his thoroughbred competition and performance band, and every cut is an entertaining, powerful, richly harmonic winner. Treat yourself to "Bandstand" by the continually amazing New Tradition Chorus!

Songlist: Bandstand Boogie, 50's Medley, King Of the Road, Unchained Melody, Happy Together, Jersey Boys Melody, Daydream, Monday, Monday, Lady Madonna, All The Gold In California, Over The Rainbow, Smile Medley, Wind Beneath My Wings / You Raise Me Up

Deke Sharon : Songs from Pitch Perfect (the movie) for Male Voices

Review: Pitch Perfect's Treblemakers win the regionals with this rowdy, rollicking arrangement of "Right Round" originally made popular by the Tufts Beelzebubs on NBC's The Sing Off Season One. 4-part harmony plus duet. Vocal percussion optional. Pitch Perfect starts with a bang - The Treblemaker's arrangement of the modern Rhianna classic "Don't Stop the Music". A perfect show opener or closer for your male a cappella group (4-parts plus solo, vocal percussion optional). The Kelly Clarkson's mega hit "Since U Been Gone" rocks out in this a cappella rendition from the Pitch Perfect soundtrack! Your guys will love performing this authentic a cappella mash-up of Bright Lights Bigger City / Magic.

Songlist: Right Round, Don't Stop the Music , Since U Been Gone, Bright Lights Bigger City / Magic

Deke Sharon : Pitch Perfect (the movie) for Female Voices

Review: Remember the scene in Pitch Perfect where Beca first teaches the Barden Bellas how to sing a mashup? This is that exact arrangement of "Just the Way You Are/Just a Dream " from the movie, distilled into 4-part harmony plus duet. Vocal percussion optional. "Cups" is the irresistible break-out hit by Anna Kendrick from the Pitch Perfect soundtrack has a sweet folky flavor and the fun "cup" accompaniment will be a hit with your choir! Now crossing over to YouTube and mainstream radio, the song is getting major attention in the media. May be performed a cappella or accompanied. "Bellas Finals" - Perhaps the biggest a cappella moment in modern cinema, the Barden Bellas win the ICCAs with this exact full-length arrangement from the movie Pitch Perfect, distilled into 4-part harmony plus solo. Vocal percussion optional.

Songlist: Just the Way You Are/Just a Dream , Bellas Finals, Since U Been Gone, Party in the U.S.A., Cups

Deke Sharon : Pitch Perfect for Mixed Voices

Review: The film Pitch Perfect presents the world of collegiate a cappella groups with a comedic flair and musical sassiness that your pop ensembles will love to recreate! Whether a cappella or accompanied, here is the Bellas' terrific mash-up, including: Don't You (Forget About Me), Give Me Everything (Tonight), Price Tag. The irresistible break-out hit "Cups" by Anna Kendrick has a sweet folky flavor and the fun "cup" accompaniment will be a hit with your choir! Now crossing over to YouTube and mainstream radio, the song is getting major attention in the media. May be performed a cappella or accompanied. Kelly Clarkson's mega hit "Since U Been Gone" rocks out in this a cappella rendition!

Songlist: Since U Been Gone, Cups, Bellas Finals

Philip Lawson (editor) : ASO German Renaissance Christmas

Review: Fill your performance space with the glory of a German Renaissance Christmas with selections from this outstanding collection! Mixed choruses from high school through professional will appreciate the clean, well-edited editions.

Songlist: Angelus Ad Pastorem, Dixit Maria, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Maria Wallt Zum Heiligtum, Singt Und Klingt (Psallite Unigenito)

Pitch Perfect : Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

Review: One of the highest grossing musical comedies of all time, Pitch Perfect tells the story of The Barden Bellas, an all-girl college a cappella group, as they compete against another group from their college to win Nationals.

Songlist: Bright Lights Bigger City, Cups, Don't Stop The Music, Don't You (Forget About Me), Eternal Flame, Feels Like The First Time, Give Me Everything (Tonight), Hit Me With Your Best Shot, I'll Make Love To You, Just A Dream, Just The Way You Are, Let It Whip, Let's Talk About Sex, Like A Virgin, Magic, Mickey, No Diggity, Party In The U.S.A., Price Tag, Right Round, S&M, The Sign, Since U Been Gone, Turn The Beat Around

Style: Pop

Mumford & Sons : Sigh No More

Review: Here are all 12 songs off the debut from these Grammy-nominated, critically acclaimed English indie folk/rockers.

Songlist: After The Storm, Awake My Soul, The Cave, Dust Bowl Dance, I Gave You All, Little Lion Man, Roll Away Your Stone, Sigh No More, Thistle And Weeds, Timshel, White Blank Page, Winter Winds

Style: Pop

Sara Bareilles : Little Voice

Review: A Northern California girl, Sara Bareilles has garnered comparisons to Norah Jones and Fiona Apple. She released her first CD in 2004, but "Love Song," featured as an iTunes free single of the week in June of 2007 and in a commercial for the online music service Rhapsody, catapulted her to stardom. Cherry Lane proudly presents the matching folio to her major-label debut, certified gold by the RIAA. The PVG songbook features her megahit "Love Song" and 11 others, plus photos and an introduction by Sara herself.

Songlist: Between The Lines, Bottle It Up, City, Come Round Soon, Fairytale, Gravity, Love On The Rocks, Love Song, Many The Miles, Morningside, One Sweet Love, Vegas

Style: Pop

Taylor Swift : Red

Review: All 16 tracks from Swift's record-breaking blockbuster album.

Songlist: All Too Well, Begin Again, Everything Has Changed, Holy Ground, I Almost Do, I Knew You Were Trouble., The Last Time, The Lucky One, Red, Sad Beautiful Tragic, Starlight, State Of Grace, Stay Stay Stay, Treacherous, 22, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Style: Pop

The Lumineers : The Lumineers

Review: All 11 songs off the eponymous debut by the Denver folk-rock trio that's generating giant buzz!

Songlist: Big Parade, Charlie Boy, Classy Girls, Dead Sea, Flapper Girl, Flowers In Your Hair, Ho Hey, Morning Song, Slow It Down, Stubborn Love, Submarines

Style: Pop

Various Arrangers : Modern Pop Vol 2

Review: "Firework" - Ben Bram is known for his work on The Sing-Off and Pitch Perfect, and for arranging for groups such as The Backbeats and Pentatonix. This wellcrafted treatment of the Katy Perry hit will make your pop a cappella group come alive. "Some Nights" - This powerful anthem by the Grammy-award winning pop group FUN. became the band's second top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and has been featured on Glee. The intense lyrics explore the meaning of life, using war as a metaphor for the struggle between good and evil. Creatively arranged, pairing a strong a cappella choir with martial snare and bass drums. "Forget You" - This Grammy-nominated hit by Cee Lo Green is perfect for pop a cappella groups. With a rhythmic groove supporting a soloist, this one really kicks!

Songlist: Firework, Some Nights, Forget You

Cat's Pajamas Vocal Band : Kitty Litter

Review: The Cat's Pajamas, Skinner, Nate, Brad, Mike and Nathaniel, has been touring around the world since 2005, performing over 200 shows a year. They recently entered the national spotlight while performing their Oreo Cookie Jingle for Randy Jackson, placing in the top 10 on NBC's The Sing-Off. Winners and Audience Favorite of the 2013 Chicago Harmony Sweeps Regional, they wowed us with a strong set at one of the most competitive National Finals we've seen! The Cats specialize in wonderfully-arranged covers and sweet-segueing medleys like "British Invasion," "Summer Medley," "60s Dance," "Country Medley," "Beatles" and "Three Dog Night." Other favorites areLady Gaga's "Born This Way," Leonard Bernstein's "Tonight, Tonight," "Stars & Stripes Forever" and a nice nod to the Sweeps closing Doo Wop anthem "Goodnight Sweetheart." Co-founder Brian Skinner's "Beat Bass" is tight and hot, and the harmonic hits just keep on comin'! Don't miss this rockin', big fun collection!

Songlist: British Invasion, Summer medley, 60's Dance, I'm Yours, Beatles, Stay, Three Dog Night, Country Medley, Tonight, Tonight, Born This Way, Stars and Stripes Forever, Goodnight Sweetheart

Roomful of Teeth : Roomful of Teeth

Review: This is the debut album from the adventurous and renowned vocal octet Roomful of Teeth. From the neo-alpine yodel on Rinde Eckert's "Cesca's View" to Caleb Burhans's stirring post-minimalist take on bel canto singing in "No", the album breathes fresh life into the a cappella landscape. One of this generation's most dynamic vocal talents, Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, contributes two electrifying songs that explore a range of world-inspired grooves. African pygmy yodels, Inuit rhythmic pulsing, Appalachian hymn tunes, and bracing Eastern European belting all filter through Garbus's powerful compositional voice. For her Pulitzer Prize-winning four-part composition Partita for 8 Voices, Caroline Shaw uses her insider vantage as a Roomful of Teeth vocalist to create a sonically exquisite and emotionally charged journey through the ensemble's soundworld.

Songlist: Passacaglia, Amid the Minotaurs, Montmartre, No, Courante, AEIOU, The Orchard, Cesca's View, Allemande, Quizassa, Sarabande, Runaway, Ansa Ya

Sweet Honey In The Rock : Tribute: Live! Jazz at Lincoln Center

Review: On this new album, Sweet Honey In The Rock's distinctive swirl of a cappella vocals, encompassing waves of imaginative five-part harmonies and occasional solo showcases, is heard unaccompanied, aside from the quintet's hand percussion, on about half of the songs. Adorned with new arrangements by Sweet Honey's members, there are jazz standards, gospel/civil rights anthems, Afro-centric songs, show tunes, blues, and a salsa-flavored original. Interwoven throughout the presentation are the understated instrumental contributions of the trio nicknamed "the Honey Men" - Stacey Wade (musical director/piano/keyboards), Parker McAllister (upright acoustic & electric bass), Jovol Bell (drums, percussion) - who augment Sweet Honey's exhilarating, soulful voices and confident, genre-crossing dexterity.

Songlist: Breaths, Sabumoya, Come Ye, Shuku Shuku (Choo Choo Song), See Line Woman, Can't Afford to Lose My Man, If I Should Lose You, Love Me or Leave Me, Trouble in Mind, Feeling Good, The Midnight Special, Pata Pata, Freedom Suite, Oh Freedom, Come and Go with Me to That Land, I'm on My Way, Another Man Done Gone, Abbey Lincoln Medley, Down Here Below, The Music Is the Magic, Tell Me More and More and Then Some , Wild Is the Wind, Run On, Let There Be Peace, N'Diarabi, Africa Is Where My Heart Lies

Fermata Town : Hold That Thought

Review: Boston's Fermata Town, founded in 2009 and inspired by the wealth of new talent in the a cappella world, became the newest member of the Contemporary A Cappella League; and promptly won the very competitive Boston Harmony Sweeps Regional. At the crazy-good National Finals in San Rafael, CA, the group tied for third place and their rendition of "Starting Line" won the award for Best Original Song. "Hold That Thought" features 9 cuts, all with stellar arrangements, primarily by group members Katya Dreyer-Oren and Philipp Walzer. Some favorites are The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts," a sweet original by group member John Mayer, "Dreaming With A Broken Heart," Ceo Lo Green's sassy "Forget You," Curtis Mayfield's anthem "People Get Ready," Jason Mraz' "Geek In The Pink," Kimbra's "Settle Down" and Britney Spears' "Circus." A solid debut album from fast-rising Fermata Town, whose secret to success is simple: "We love a cappella and we love each other!"

Songlist: Seven Nation Army, Stereo Hearts, Dreaming With a Broken Heart, Lazy Song, People Get Ready, Forget You, Geek in the Pink, Settle Down, Circus

Six Appeal : Plan A

Review: Jordan, Michael, Nathan, Trey, Reuben and Andrew, hard-working members of dynamic 2012 Harmony Sweeps National Champion Six Appeal Vocal Band, are all about entertainment. We were in the delighted 2013 Finals audience in San Rafael's Veterans Memorial Auditorium, after being blown away by the 7 Regional champs, wondering how hosts Six Appeal would measure up with their set while the Audience Favorite votes were counted. We needn't have worried-Six Appeal nailed it, reminding us as we stood and cheered how much we love these guys! "Plan A" is SA's debut album, and all 12 cuts are feel-good hits: Elton John & Tim Rice's magnificent "Circle of Life," the Doobie Bros.' rock anthem "Listen to the Music," Andy Grammer's "Keep Your Head Up," a pair of sweet, sexy originals by group members, Jordan's "Little Black Dress," and Trey's "Do I;" Gavin DeGraw & Ryan Tedder's "Not Over You," Andrew Berkowitz' "On Your Love" and Billy Joel's deathless hit "And So It Goes." These Six can sing and dance their butts off, and they leave it all onstage. Don't miss "Plan A," and if you are lucky enough to have a chance to see them, for God's sake don't miss their live show!

Songlist: Circle of Life, Listen to the Music, Keep Your Head Up, Little Black Dress, Not Over You, Ordinary People, Not Over You, Do I?, Your Man, On Your Love, I Will Survive, And So It Goes

Andy Beck : Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique

Review: Each exercise in this invaluable resource is designed to reinforce fundamental vocal concepts for choral and solo singers of any age. Organized in 11 focused categories, the purpose of every warm-up is evident, and clearly-stated directions optimize growth. Supportive piano accompaniments, including progressive modulations, are lightly-orchestrated on the enclosed recording---perfect for ensemble rehearsals, studio lessons, or at-home practice. As an added bonus, PDF files on the enhanced CD provide extracted vocal lines on reproducible singer pages. An instructional book you will use again and again! Topics Include beginning warm-Ups, posture, vowels, breath support, tone quality, diction, dynamics, articulations, diphthongs, blend, scales, intervals, harmony, and more.

Songlist: Beginning Warm-Ups, Posture, Feet are Firmly Planted, Relax, Release, Though The Notes May Rise, Vowels, Drop Your Jaw, With a Joyful Tone, Breath Support, Flying, Sighing, Resist Caving In, Take Time To Breath, Tone Quality, Don't Want To Be Throaty, Never Louder Than Lovely, Project, Diction, Consonants Are Planned, The Lips, the Tongue, the Tip of the Teeth, Dynamics / Articulations, Sing legato, Sing Staccato, Sing We Sforzando, We Are Crescendoing, A Diphthong Song, Flexibility, Listen and Blend, Syncopation, Scales / Intervals, Harmony

Straight No Chaser : Under The Infuence

Review: Under The Influence sees the acclaimed a cappella group reimagining a selection of their all-time favorite songs alongside many of the superstar artists and undisputed music icons that made them famous. Produced by Mark Kibble, founding member of the legendary a cappella group Take 6 and one of Straight No Chaser's primary influences, the album includes unprecedented collaborations with some of popular music's best and brightest - including Phil Collins, Dolly Parton, Rob Thomas, Seal, and Jason Mraz - as Straight No Chaser put their distinctive and inimitable spin on songs known and loved the world over.

Songlist: I Want You Back, Rolling In The Deep, Against All Odds , Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours), Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Some Nights/We Are Young, I Won't Give Up, This Is How A Heart Breaks, Kiss From A Rose, Jolene

Stephen Leek : Aussie Songs

Review: "Kumbargung" - One of the easiest and most immediately appealing from Stephen Leek's In Construction series. It is suitable for singers of all ages and uses indigenous Australian words that are spoken in rhythm at various pitch levels. "Kumbargung" means "night" and other evocative words include "ungi gungi" (grasshopper) and "goolay yali" (pelican). A delight for all ages! "Tunggare" means "voice" or "to sing" in an Australian dialect. This is a wonderful opening or closing to a concert. There is much repetition and very easy tenor and bass parts, so it is perfect for a high school choir (and other choirs as well!). It may also be used as a choral piece for audience participation. "Riawanna" is an Australian native word for "circles" and the piece is a do-it-yourself round with thousands of possibilities. It includes mixed meters. The final instruction in the accompanying notes says it all: "have fun".

Songlist: Kumbargung, Riawanna, Tunggare

Mark Patterson : The Joy of Part Singing

Review: The Joy of Part Singing is a resource that will help children's choirs experience greater success in part-singing through short, accessible warm-ups, vocal exercises, rhythm chants, echo songs, mini-descants, and rounds. While some of these exercises are for rehearsal only, others may be shared in worship or in concert settings. Everything presented in the book was born out of the author's own need as a conductor of children's choirs. Even if your choir is currently working towards solidifying a beautiful, unison sound, these activities will help singers build the foundation for singing in multiple parts in the future.

Songlist: Warm Ups / Vocalises, Unison Alleluia / Two Parts, Two / Three-part Chords, Rhythm Rumbles, Echo Songs, The Lord is My Shepherd, Come Into God's Presence, Mini-Descants, Come Christians Join to Sing, Away In a manger, Rounds, Share God's Love, Clap Your Hands and Sing Hallelujah, Come Lord Jesus, Sing Unto God, Sing Allelujah, Gloria Deo

Mollie Stone & Patty Cuyler : Traditional Choral Music From South Africa Vol 2

Review: Six South African songs for SATB or treble choir. Teaching DVD with voice parts, dance movements, pronunciation tracks and performances. Book includes tips for teaching and performing, pronunciation guide, background information for the songs and more. In addition to the book and teaching DVD is access to an online resource site with source recording downloads and video links.

Songlist: Likhon' ithemba lam, Re dibini, Ndisondela Kuwe, Swilo yini, Sesimfumene, Iindonga za Jeriko

Mollie Stone & Patty Cuyler : Music From the Republic of Georgia

Review: Twelve traditional 3-part folk songs from the Republic of Georgia, for mixed, youth and adult choirs. Book with scores, pronunciation guide, performance guidelines and background information, and accompanying DVD with performance and pronunciation video. In addition to the book and teaching DVD is access to an online resource site with source recording downloads and video links.

Songlist: Aragvisp'iruli Lashkruli, Bail-betkil, Chela, Deda Mogik'vdesa, Imeruli Mgzavruli, Lemchil, Megruli Alilo, Rachuli Nana, Shari-shuri, Tselo Mousvi Balakhsa, Ts'mindeo Ghmerto, Uts'inares Mas Vadidebt

Darlene Rogers with Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram : Classically Inclined

Review: Classically Inclined takes the motifs you remember from recognizable pieces of classical music and turns them into vocalises, each addressing a different vocal challenge. You will learn the exercise a cappella, singing it up and down the scale, then have the opportunity to sing it in an expanded version with a symphony orchestra. Standout cuts are Bolero, Ride of the Valkryies, Trumpet Tune and Air and Waltz of the Flowers. 

Songlist: Welcome, Surprise Symphony, Largo, Minuet in G, Ride of the Valkyries, Bolero, Trumpet Tune and Air, Emperor Hymn, Air, Humoresque, Waltz of the Flowers, Finale

Les Miserables - Pro Vocal : Women/Men Edition, Volume 11

Review: Whether you're a karaoke singer or preparing for an audition, the Pro Vocal series is for you. The book contains the lyrics, melody, and chord symbols for classic songs. The CD contains demos for listening and separate backing tracks so you can sing along. The CD is playable on any CD, and it is also enhanced so Mac & PC users can adjust the recordings to any pitch without changing the tempo! Perfect for home rehearsal, parties, auditions, corporate events, and gigs without a backup band.

Songlist: At The End Of The Day, Bring Him Home, Castle On A Cloud, Do You Hear The People Sing?, Drink With Me (To Days Gone By), Empty Chairs At Empty Tables, A Heart Full Of Love, I Dreamed A Dream, In My Life, A Little Fall Of Rain, Master Of The House, On My Own, Stars, Suddenly, Who Am I?

Style: Show Tunes

Four Voices : III

Review: Four sweet-harmonizing young Christian men - Brandon Guyton, his brother Chad, Lester Rector and Jayson VanHook, otherwise known as Four Voices, have put their hometown of Cleveland, TN on the Barbershop map. First singing together in Lee University's acclaimed Voices of Lee, the newly-formed quartet turned quite a few heads by winning SPEBSQSA's 1996 Collegiate and 1999 Dixie District Championships and singing well at the Nationals, their first step into the International top ten was winning the Gold at the 2002 convention in Portland! Since then the popular group has toured extensively, taking their distinctive, smoothly blended sound, passionate delivery and exciting arrangements to delighted audiences in concert halls, corporate venues and churches across the globe. "III" follows "Four Voices" and "Four Voices II" not just in order, but in feeling, quality and pure musicality. Favorites among these 12 tunes could easily include them all, but we'll arbitrarily pick the soulful "I Believe," poignant "Nearer My God to Thee," triumphant "How Great Thou Art," Lennon/McCartney's "Oh Darlin'," a light-hearted "Sesame Street" and, in further tribute to their 16-member Collegiate group, "For God So Loved the World," sung with Voices of Lee (lightly guitar accompanied). "III" is simply a beautiful, inspirational album - don't miss this one!

Songlist: I'll Live in Glory, Oh Darlin', Nearer My God to Thee, South, How Great Thou Art, Sesame Street, Great Day, Bless This House, All That Jazz, All The Glory, I Believe, For God So Loved the World

Solstice : Winter Solstice

Review: Veteran all-women septet, and one of our favorite World/Folk groups, we watched Solstice do the Bay Area proud by winning the Regional and placing 3rd in the 2007 National Finals. Urged by their friends and families to release a Holiday CD, the group finally and happily fulfilled this longtime dream, and Becca, Emily, Kim, Krista, Lark, Mari & Sara did it wonderfully! Choosing little-known, difficult classical tunes like Cortland Bender's lovely "Rosa Mystica," Francisco Guerrero's "A Un Nino Llorando Al Hielo" and Thomas Weelkes' "To Shorten Winter's Sadness," from the 15th and 16th centuries; beautifully arranged traditional carols like Bernard de la Monnoye's "Patapan," "Deck the Hall," and Franz Gruber's "Silent Night;" and popular Christmas songs like Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time is Here," Tommie Connor's "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and Alfred Burt's "Caroling, Caroling;" along with the rich traditional Hebrew song "S'Vivon" and other favorites, make "Winter Solstice" a very special 15-cut collection that is sure to brighten your holiday for years to come!

Songlist: Nowell, Nowell, Out of Your Sleep, Deck the Hall, S'Vivon, Rosa Mystica, Corpus Christi Carol, Patapan, Nova, Nova, Ave Fit Ex Eva, Christmas Time is Here, Tyrley, Tyrlow!, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, A Un Nino Llorando Al Hielo, Caroling, Caroling, Jul, Jul, To Shorten Winter's Sadness, Silent Night

Idea of North : This Christmas

Review: We will never forget the way these two men and two women from Australia, members of Vocal Jazz group The Idea of North, whose reputation as the best a cappella group in Australia preceded them, strode onto the stage of the 2003 Harmony Sweeps National Finals in San Rafael. They would be the very last to perform a 12-minute set, and the regional winners from around the country, many of whom had performed to standing ovations by the sold-out audience, had set the bar incredibly high. But their first sweet notes were a revelation, and after ION's own roaring standing O, it was obvious to all who the audience favorite and National Champions were. There are 12 tunes here, some of our favorites are a bluesy, finger-popping take on "The Christmas Song," "Christmas Medley," which blends "Once in Royal David's City," "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" with innovative arrangements; a gentle lullaby new to our ears, "The Silver Stars are In the Sky" touched and moved us; "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a big-band accompanied celebration; two Salsa band-accompanied versions of "Mary's Boy Child," one featuring James Morrison, and a pair of lovely, soaring, orchestra-accompanied songs, "Candlelight Carol" and "A Child is Born." The Pop-flavored title tune is also new to us, a joyous, Jazz band-accompanied greeting to the season. The a cappella "Angel" with its powerful "in the arms of the angel" chorus underscores the probable meanness of the nativity. We hold The Idea of North in a special place in our hearts and relate to "This Christmas" as a gift from this extraordinary quartet!

Songlist: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song, Candlelight Carol, Mary's Boy Child, This Christmas, Angel, The Silver Stars are in the Sky, Once in Royal David's City, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, A Child Is Born, Poverty, I'll Be Home For Christmas

Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell : A Cappella Arranging

Review: At the heart of every vocal group is the music it performs. This often means writing its own arrangements of popular or traditional songs. This book is the long-awaited definitive work on the subject, wide ranging both in its scope and in its target audience - which spans beginners, music students, and community groups to professional and semi-professional performers, vocal/instrumental songwriters, composers, and producers - providing genre-specific insight on a cappella writng. The tone of the book is instructive and informative, yet conversational: it is intended to stand alongside any academic publication while remaining interesting and fun. Dubbed "the Father of Contemporary A Cappella" author Deke Sharon has firmly established himself as one of the leading vocal harmony talents today having arranged over 2,000 songs which are published worldwide. Deke was vocal producer on NBC's "The Sing-Off" and served as arranger, on-site music director and vocal producer for Universal's "Pitch Perfect" movie. A Cappella Arranging is a good textbook - and a "good read" - for every vocal arranger, whether amateur or professional; every vocal music classroom, and any professional recording studio. We highly recommend this book.

Songlist: Basic Arranging in 10 Steps, Principals in Arranging, What is Arranging?, The Arranging Sprectrum, Discovering Your Toolkit, Transcription, Five Myths About Music Making, Vocal Conventions, Song Selection, Listening to the Original, Listening to Other Versions, Form and Conceptualization, Preparing Your Materials, Melody and Lyrics, The Bass Line, Background Vocals, Final Touches, Record / Rehearse, In Depth Analyses, Change Up and Clever Bits, Arranging For Other Vocal Formats, Vocal Percusion, Specific A Cappella Styles, Writing For Your Own Group, Writing Medleys, Breaking the Block, Final Thoughts

Buzz : Jingle Buzz

Review: How do you create a Sweet Adelines Supergroup? Take Nancy and Jeannine from Gold medalists City Lights, Karen of Gold winner Jubilation and Debbie, wearing her Showtime Gold, add a cool motto: "Four Parts, One Voice," pick an ultra-cool name, stir vigorously and turn up the heat in top-drawer competition in Indianapolis in 2004. Wow judges, who name you 2005 Queens of Harmony, then continue to stir audiences and make hot recordings! "Jingle BUZZ" is a 12-song Christmas Album, some of our favorites would include standards "Jingle Bells," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Mary Did You Know," "I Wonder As I Wander" (featuring a wonderful guest lead from Jim Henry), "Merry Christmas, Darling," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and "What Child Is This." Surprise winners are the rarely recorded Swing tune, "Everybody's Waiting for the Man with the Bag" and the very funny "Diddly Squat," in which a "naughty" girl bemoans her letter's response from Santa. Classic leads and harmonies, well-chosen tunes, ringing, angelic chords-this is holiday cheer from the first cut to the last. "Jingle BUZZ" is great entertainment by one of Sweet Adelines' true Supergroups, sure to bring a welcome buzz to your house!

Songlist: Jingle Bells, I'll Be Home For Christmas, A Quartet Christmas, Mary, Did You Know?, Fa-La-La, I Wonder As I Wander, Everybody's Waiting For The Man With The Bag, Mary Had A Baby, Diddly Squat, Merry Christmas Darling, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa, What Child Is This?

Ward Swingle : A Cappella Jazz for SSAA

Review: Here's a collection of arrangements by Ward for unaccompanied women's voices. This arrangement of the old Irving Berlin standard "I Got Rhythm" evokes a Dixieland combo while Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" swings with a fun opportunity for some voices to scat. "It Was a Lover and His Lass" also has a lot of scat-like syllables (e.g. "hey-ding-a-ding") while "Reeds of Innocence" has a strong rhythmic element in the writing, with vocal imitations of flute sounds. It goes along at rather a moderate pace and is not difficult to sing. This is a fun collection for singers and for audiences alike.

Songlist: Don't Get Around Much Anymore, I Got Rhythm , It Was a Lover and His Lass, Reeds of Innocence

Various Arrangers : Classic Pop for SAB Voices

Review: The iconic song "Seven Bridges Road" by the Eagles speaks directly to the heart with thrilling vocal harmonies that will showcase your ensemble at their best! "There are stars in the Southern sky/Southward as you go/There is moonlight and moss in the trees/Down the Seven Bridges Road." "We Will Rock You" - Your whole crowd will join in with the stomps and claps as you perform this rock and roll classic! This classic pop hit by Queen will bring down the house. Billy Joel's pop hit "The Longest Time" is a perennial favorite and evokes an even earlier time in America's pop history. "Let It Be" is one of the landmark songs of the 20th century and certainly at the apex of the Beatles catalog, this #1 pop hit in this a cappella setting will be an inspirational choice for choral concerts of all types.

Songlist: The Longest Time, Let It Be, Seven Bridges Road, We Will Rock You