The most accomplished choristers of Oakland, California's highly-regarded Pacific Boychoir Academy are the Troubadors, who join with The Pacific Collegium, a professional chamber ensemble that combines exceptional vocalists and instrumentalists, to perform three of Benjamin Britten's favorite Christmas pieces. The dramatic, powerful 12-part "A Ceremony of Carols" was written in the middle of WWII, the simple and fetching "Hymn to the Virgin" has been a Christmas favorite since he wrote it while ill in bed at age 16; and the 7-part "A Boy Was Born," was a student exercise by Britten published in 1934 that deals with the nature of innocence and childhood in the Nativity story. Led by director Kevin Fox, the Troubadors handle this eclectic, often difficult material beautifully, and the Collegium, directed by Christopher Kula, adds strong instrumentals and vocals to the mix. This is a lovely, very different kind of Christmas collection of pieces by a master composer.

Songlist: Procession, Wolcum Yole, There Is No Rose, That Yonge Child, Balulalow, As Dew In Aprile, This Little Babe, Interlude, In Freezing Winter Night, Spring Carol, Deo Gracias, Recession, A Hymn To The Virgin, A Boy Was Born, Lullay Jesu, Herod, Jesu As Thou Art Our Saviour, The Three Kings, In The Bleak Mid-Winter, Noel

This wonderful CD features the Troubadors of the Pacific Boychoir singing works by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Isaac Posch and Felix Mendelssohn. In this ambitious project, the chorus sings Bach's Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich. With a small orchestra and the addition of tenors and basses, the choir performs this piece similarly to how it would have been done in Bach's time. The soprano solo "Doch bin und bleibe ich vergnugt" is skillfully sung by Julian Abelskamp. The rest of the recording is equally well performed and features motets by Mozart, Posch and Mendelssohn.

Songlist: Cantata BWV 150 (JS Bach 1685-1750):, I. Sinfonia, II. Chorus: "Nach dir,Herr, verlanget mich", III. Aria S: "Doch bin und bleibe ich vergnugt", IV. Chorus: "Leite mich in deiner Warheit", V. Trio ATB: "Zedern mussen von den Winden", VI. Chorus: "Meine Augen sehen stets zu dem Herrn", VII. Ciaconna. Chorus: "Meine Tage in dem Leiden", Sub tuum praesidium (WA Mozart 1756-1791), Ergo interest / Quaere superna (WA Mozart 1756-1791), Cantate Domino (Isaac Posch c.1585-1622/23), Mein glaubiges Herze from Cantata 68 (JS Bach), Surrexit pastor bonus (Felix Mendelssohn 1809-1847), I. Surrexit pastor bonus, II. Tulerunt Dominum, III. Surrexit Christus (Alto), IV. Surrexit Christus (Chorus)

In addition to the B-Minor Mass, Bach wrote four other masses. These "Lutheran" masses are from Bach's time at the Thomasschule in Leipzig. The Pacific Boychoir Academy, the only choir school on America's West Coast, has recorded two of these masses with boy sopranos and altos and an orchestra of Early Music specialists led by Kati Kyme.

Songlist: Kyrie, Gloria, Gratias, Domine Fili, Qui tollis, Cum Sancto Spiritu, Kyrie, Gloria, Gratias, Domine Deus, Quoniam, Cum Sancto Spiritu

In July 2001, the Pacific Boychoir embarked on an international tour to New Zealand and Australia. This CD contains pieces performed on those programs. Their repertoire includes a variety of challenging music from sacred masterpieces to spirituals to original compositions. Selections include "Nigra Sum," by Pablo Casals, the world premier recording of the "Gloria," by member Gabriel Fanelli as well as several of the "Old American Songs," by Aaron Copland. The choir is led by Kevin Fox and accompanied by Marcia Roy.

Songlist: Nigra Sum (P Casals), Laudamus Te (A Vivaldi), Gloria (G Fanelli), Cujus Animam Gementem (GB Pergolesi), Ellens Swelter Gesang (F Schubert / J Brahms), Trio from the Magic Flute (WA Mozart), The Little Horses (A Copland), Simple Gifts (A Copland), I Bought Me A Cat (A Copland), Long Time Ago (A Copland), Ching-a-Ring Chaw (A Copland), Weep No More (D Childs), Call Me Irresponsible (S Cahn, J van Heusen), I've Got You Under My Skin, I Should Care (S Cahn, A Stordahl, P Weston), Johnny One Note (R Rodgers & L Hart), Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (arr. R de Cormier), Go Down Moses

The elite Troubadors of Oakland's Pacific Boychoir Academy are joined by Continuum, a group of former boy choristers whose voices have changed, and soloist Jonathon Hampton, to sing this strong collection of 19 African-American spirituals, directed by Kevin Fox. Favorites are "Ain't Got Time to Die," "City Called Heaven," "Precious Lord" and "Wade in the Water," all of which features Hampton's smooth countertenor; "Over Yonder," which features soloist Jacob Wilson; "Deep River," "The Battle of Jericho" and "Hear My Prayer." There is some light accompaniment. The soloists contrast nicely with the Troubadors' sweet, high background vocals, particularly Hampton's rich leads. A special, beautifully performed collection!

Songlist: I Open My Mouth, Little David, Play On Your Harp, All My Trials, Take My Mother Home, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Witness, There Is A Balm In Gilead, Ain't Got Time To Die, Precious Lord, I Stood On The River Of Jordan, Deep River, City Called Heaven, Over Yonder, The Storm Is Passing Over, Wade In The Water, Ain't That Good News, Praise His Holy Name, The Battle Of Jericho, Hear My Prayer