Charis Chamber Voices

CHARIS 2003 CD:
Hoping It Might Be So: Christmastide

"Charis is one of the area's finest vocal chamber ensembles. The group's blended sound, their musicality, and their attention to technique make Charis a welcome and respected addition in the tri-state region. In addition to being an exceptional singer and teacher, Ms. Peck has also surfaced as a gifted new conductor, whose respect and enthusiasm for the music is communicated both to her performers and to the audience."

Dr. Dennis Keene, Director of Voices of Ascension, New York, NY

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Track List

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for sound clips from arbitrary portions of the track (explained below).

1	The Holly She Bears A Berry	Arr. James E. Clemens
2	In the Bleak Midwinter (*)	Arr. Neil Farrell
3	Come Sing and Dance	Herbert Howells Susanne Peck, Soprano; Sue Anderson, Piano
4	Christmas Peace (*)	Julie Dolphin
5	Hodie (*)	Susanne Peck Scott Munson, Tenor
6	O Magnum Mysterium (*)	Nancy Wertsch Julie Dolphin, Soprano
7	The Oxen	Marjorie Hess
8	Personent Hodie	from Piae Cantiones
9	We Three Kings (*)	Arr. Peter Schubert
10	Ave Maria (Angelus Domini)	Franz Biebl Scott Munson, Tenor; Todd Takken, Baritone
11	There Is A Flower	John Rutter Colleen McMahon, Soprano
12	Noel Nouvelet	Arr. Richard Zgodava
13	Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (*)	Arr. Johannes Somary Anne Harris, Soprano
14	Wassail	Arr. Anne Somary
15	The Rune of Hospitality	Alf Houkom
16	I Wonder as I Wander	(Appalachian Carol) Susanne Peck, Soprano
17	Quem Pastores Laudavere (*)	James Bassi
18	Masters In This Hall (*)	Arr. Susanne Peck
19	Saint Ita's Vision	Samuel Barber Susanne Peck, Soprano; Sue Anderson, Piano
20	While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (*)	Elliot Z. Levine

(*) - Worldwide Recording Debut

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Bonus: hear a randomized playlist of all 20 of the audio excerpts from this CD (if your audio player software supports jukeboxes, if not, consider downloading a free upgrade of the Windows Media Player or the Real One Player).

Bonus Contest
By way of thanking you for your attention, we offer this Audio Daily Double quiz: Can you identify the pieces from which each of the following Amen's were excerpted? If so, send your answer to the webmaster and you may win a prize!

Mystery Amen #1 (easy): |
Mystery Amen #2 (more difficult): |

Liner Notes

Hoping it Might Be So: Christmastide is a gathering of 20 Christmas carols -- some new, some unusual, and some well-loved favorites in new arrangements -- that enfolds the listener in the wonder of this most magical season.

The title for this special collection comes from Thomas Hardy's poem The Oxen. In it, the narrator recalls the innocent faith he felt as a child, when he believed a Christmas legend about the beasts gathered around the manger. Now grown, he admits how fanciful the tale is, yet realizes that in his heart he is still "hoping it might be so." Such is the power of Christmas, a time that reawakens the desire to believe in miracles - that oxen do kneel at midnight on Christmas Eve, that a star can guide a journey from afar, and that a newborn child will bring peace and love to a wounded world.

Each of the songs of Hoping It Might Be So expresses an emotional facet of this sacred season: the resounding carillon call of Hodie; the lively dances of The Holly She Bears a Berry, Come Sing and Dance, and Masters In This Hall; the mournful reflection of I Wonder As I Wander; the gentle beauty of In the Bleak Midwinter, and There Is A Flower; the tender lullabies of Christmas Peace, and St. Ita's Vision; the lyrical reverence of Ave Maria and Quem Pastores; the broad majesty of We Three Kings and Personent Hodie; and the mystical awe of O Magnum Mysterium and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. And, of course, the hopeful wonder of The Oxen.

With their timeless themes of transcendence and renewal and universal message of peace, joy, and love, these wondrous songs speak to the hearts of all people. Charis invites you to share this music in the spirit of celebration.