Driven by the infectious enthusiasm of zany writer and presenter Howard Goodall, we travel to locations around the world to focus on people, their lives, individual traditions, customs and histories. The four programs set out to show how singing in groups is fundamental to the way communities express themselves. From the joyous sounds of South Africa, thro Nashville, USA, and Bulgaria, to the traditional cathedral choirs of England, the series gives a refreshing overview of some of the vastly different choral traditions of the world today. This performance special showcases seven of the world's leading choirs and their contrasting choral traditions. The rich and haunting harmonies of South African Iscathimiya - a call and response style - are performed here by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Christ Church Cathedral Choir in Oxford and Salisbury Cathedral Girls Choir, both stalwarts of English church music, perform works by Byrd, Stanford and Bruckner. The keening, yearning tone of Bulgaria's throaty Cosmic Voices is contrasted with the joyous and heartfelt gospel of Just Us and The Temple Church Choirs in Nashville, and the clarity and purity of The Academic Female Choir of Tartu University's nationalistic folk songs in Estonia. The variety in each choir's repertory is complemented by their striking costumes.

If you love world music, or more specifically, the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, you are sure to love this academy award nominated documentary. Directed by Eric Simonson and spanning three continents, ON TIP TOE follows the captivating story of South African musician Joseph Shabalala and his unique singing ensemble. Best known on these shores for their innovative support on Paul Simon's Grammy-winning album, Graceland, Mambazo has crafted an extraordinary hybrid of traditional Zulu harmonies and unconventional Western influences, including gospel, ragtime, doo wop and even rock 'n roll. Made up of seven bass voices, a tenor, a male alto and Shabalala as lead vocalist, Mambazo amazingly incorporates the light, syncopated stomping of "Isicathamiya"(meaning "on tip toe"), a style born theough the strains of apartheid. This entertaining and informative documentary traces the fascinating origins of Shabalala's tuneful creations, featuring interviews with Paul Simon and extensive live footage of Mambazo's performances.

Vela Vela is a book and DVD designed to help choral conductors, music educators and singers to learn about black South African choral music, and learn to teach it in the oral tradition. I created this DVD as a teaching tool to help musicians perform black South African choral music more authentically. There are seven songs on the DVD. The viewer can hear each song performed, learn the individual voice-parts, dance movements, pronunciation, and background information from South African singers.

Songlist: Lizela, Vela Vela, Shumayela, Ke nale Monna, Andikhatali, As kwaz Ukuhamba, Ntakana

Thirteen Bulgarian songs especially chosen for treble choirs (youth and children's choirs), ranging from children's play songs to a Christmas processional to three-part arrangements by Bulgarian composer Pet r Krumov.Included in the book are scores, word sheets with complete translations and IPA, a detailed pronunciation guide and a short history of Bulgaria and its music, plus detailed rehearsal and performance techniques and tips.The teaching DVD features Bulgarian gold-medal winner Elitsa Stoyneva teaching the pronunciation and voice parts and performance video by a project ensemble of 28 singers aged 8-18 from the Chicago Children's Choir. The scores and word sheets in this book may be copied for your choir.

Songlist: De ima voda studena Rado Iyo, Ergen deda more prez plet gleda, Haide Tsone, Hodila Doina za voda, Izgubila Veselinka, Maro le mari hubava, Maro, Mariyke, fida builiyke, Moma Angelina, mamo, Oi, Koledo, Sardit Daimyan, Snoshti sam minal, Taz vecher ne mi e veselo, Zhivovale bratya drugovale

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: Mrs Galo, Mmamoshimane, Modimo rea go boka, Njengebhadi libhadula, Koloi ya Eliya, Ndandihlehi

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

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

We've been raving about Finnish mixed sextet Rajaton for their first 5 CDs now, their bright, smooth, poised sound only leaves us wanting to hear more! "Joulu" is a live concert, recorded in Helsinki in 2003, 17 tunes from their Christmas CD "Joulu," which features new songs and new arrangements of traditional Finnish Christmas songs. Watching the six on stage, first dressed all in white and later in the show in matching black and silver outfits, we have to say that their show is as elegant and impressive as any a cappella show we've seen. Some favorites are "Joulu" are the wonderful vocal trumpets on the opening cut "Joululaulu," the exquisite, high-flying "En etsi valtaa, loistoa," "Kulkuset," "Lumisade," the vocal percussion gem "Pukki tietaa, and the only song in English, Lennon/McCartney's "Lady Madonna," (great solos and some mean air-guitar) one of 5 bonus tracks. The solo talents of each of the six are seamlessly presented, for instance with the group walking in a circle and the next in line stepping into a breathtaking solo as another finishes. We of course don't understand Finnish, but we understand poise, and harmony, and blend, and the magic that a talented ensemble at the height of their creative powers can create. And with this DVD we are blessed to be able to watch them do it instead of merely listening!

Songlist: Jouluaulu, Tonttu, Lumisade, Talvi-iltana, Joulun Neiet, Jouluyo Joulayo, Heinilla Harkien Kaukalon, Ja Neitsyt Pikku Poijuttansa, En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa, Arkihuolesi Kaikki Heita, Pukki Tietaa, Kulkuset, Varpunen Jouluaamuna, Ketun Jouluaulu, Joululaulu, Tiernapojat, Tahtilaulu

This concert, given by the magnificent Russian troupe, The Red Red Army Chorus And Dance Ensemble, was recorded at the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow prior to a nationwide tour of the United States in the autumn of 1992. The 100-strong Ensemble was first formed within the USSR armed forces in 1977, performing concerts primarily for the army. Their repertoire ranges from popular folk tunes and songs of battle from all corners of the former Soviet Union to spectacular Cossack dancing and includes Glinka's Patriotic Song and Kamarinskaya, Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight Of The Bumblebee, and folk songs Kalinka, Dark Eyes, A Birch Tree Stood In The Meadow, Happy Girl and Seven Sons-In-Law. All are performed with energy, enthusiasm and patriotic fervor.

Songlist: Patriotic Song, Meadowland, Regimental Polka, Cossack's Dance, Paganni Variations, The Swallow, Dark Eyes, Russian Dance, Volga Boat Song, Kamarinskaya, A Birch Tree Stood in the Meadow, The Sun Set Behind a Mountain, Sailor's Dance, The Flight of the Bumble Bee, Song of a Flea, Happy Girl, Seven Sons-in-Law, Hopak Dance, Moscow Nights, Kalinka, On The March