Children’s Choir releases new CD

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, in its 19th year, has released its 14th compact disc, “Songs from the Heart,” a general collection of recordings from the last two choir years.

Released Oct. 15, the newest recording includes favorites such as “Jubilate Deo” with the Washington Symphonic Brass and John Fast, organist, and “The Garden Song” with Beth Chandler, flute, and Bill Wellington, banjo. All three of the SVCC’s performing choirs are included on this disc.

The acclaimed Shenandoah Valley Children’s, part of the music department at Eastern Mennonite University, includes an extensive program of music education and performance that includes nearly 200 children, a staff of five, domestic and international tours and a long list of collaborations with other performers including the American Boychoir, opera star Placido Domingo and folk duo Robin and Linda Williams.

The most advanced choir, the Concert Choir, performs the majority of songs on the new recording. Selections include “Clap Yo’ Hands” by George and Ira Gershwin, “Give Ear Unto Me” by Benedetto Marcello and “The Merry Heart” by Stephen Foster as well as H. H. Parry’s “Jerusalem” and folk songs “The Turtle Dove” and “Old Dan Tucker.” “Under the Greenwood Tree” by David Willcocks and “Song for the Mira,” a Canadian folksong, are also included.

Songs performed in 2009 at the Pacific Rim International Children’s Choir Festival in Hawaii include “Sesere Eeye” from the Torres Strait Islands, “Tai Yang Chu Lai La” from China and the gospel song “Praise His Holy Name” featuring Dorrall Price, 16, of Harrisonburg, as soloist. “Amazing Grace,” sung for President Jimmy and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter at the JMU Mahatma Gandhi ceremony in 2009, features Sophie Wellington, 13, of Staunton, as soloist.

Songs performed by the Preparatory and Treble Choirs include “Tsuki Firefly” with Molly Benton, 9 of Harrisonburg, and Kaleigh Sprouse, 9, of Fishersville, as trebles, “Marienwürmchen” by Brahms, the African folksong “Allunde, Alluia” with percussion, the Jamaican folksong “Linstead Market” and “Song for a Pirate Child.”

The music was produced by Julia J. White, assisted by Maurita Eberly, which included paring of the list, editing, and in some cases adding instruments to recordings. Recording, mixing, mastering and editing was done by Bart Reardon at Electric Arts Studio in Singers Glen, Va., with graphic design and artwork created by Mike Eberly in Italy.

The recording is available in Harrisonburg at the EMU bookstore, Park View Pharmacy, Rocktown Gift Shoppe, Williamson-Hughes Pharmacy, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center Main Street Store; at Dayton at the Dayton Farmer’s Market (Ten Thousand Villages, Crafty Hands), and Silver Lake Mill. Bridgewater locations include Ruth’s Books and ‘Tis the Season; Waynesboro at Stone Soup Books; Winchester at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley; and Woodstock Cafe and Shoppe.

For more information on the SVCC program and their list of other CDs, see www.emu.edu/svcc.

Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at [email protected].