Jesus Is Born Today

1. Silent Night

2. Joy to the World

3. Angels We Have heard On High

4. Jesus is Born Today

5. O Holy Night

6. Away in a Manger

7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

8. What Child is This

9. Birth of a Saviour

10. Grandfather's Christmas Story

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
The Cherokee National Youth Choir is composed of thirty children from Cherokee communities like Kenwood, Oaks, Leach, Briggs and Tahlequah. The choir members are between the sixth and ninth grades. Their first album, "Voices of the Creator’s Children," was the inspiration of Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who had always believed in the potential of the group.

About three years ago, Chief Smith shared his dream of having an official youth choir for the tribe with Jamie Geneva, a Cherokee tribal member and a former member of the River City Players, a song and dance troupe made of Northeastern State University students.

Geneva, who grew up in Stilwell, Okla., taught school for 12 years and feels all of her teaching and theater experience is now coming together as she helps teach the choir members. She has experience in teaching the Cherokee language through her time spent as a bilingual teacher trainee working with renowned Cherokee linguist Agnes Cowen.

"It was her mission in life to keep the language going," Geneva said. "It's almost like things in my life came full circle. I'm back to teaching and working with our language."

The Cherokee National Youth recently won the Best Gospel Album award at the most prestigious Native American musical event of the year, the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS). They also earned two other NAMMYS nominations for Debut Artist or Group of the Year, and for their debut album, "Voices of the Creator's Children," featuring Rita Coolidge, as Best Gospel or Christian Album.

"These children show the strength of Cherokee culture by continuing to sing our songs that have survived for hundreds of years," Smith said. "We truly appreciate their talents, and it is good to see them get recognition on a national level."

For more information about the choir or to make a contribution, contact Brenda King at Cherokee Nation Dept. of Eductation, 918-456-0671 ext. 2254.

Product Description
The Cherokee National Youth Choir Ring in the Holidays with a Beautiful New CD (Nashville) In the spirit of the true meaning of the Cherokee Christmas holiday, the Cherokee National Youth Choir delivers a new CD of traditional and original songs of worship and celebration, entitled Jesus is Born Today (which is a translation from Cherokee, of the word Christmas). The album features powerful performances; young voices lifted in song, in the beauty of the Cherokee language. The project soars with full choir productions and in selections by smaller groupings of the choir members, accompanied by Musical Producer, Jeffrey Gray Parker, who adds shimmering musical flourishes on keyboards and guitar. They are also joined in spoken word by well respected Cherokee elder, Reverend Leroy Backwater. Jesus is Born Today was recorded at the historic Park Hill Presbyterian Church in Park Hill, Oklahoma, and at Cimarron Sound Lab studio, in Tahlequah. Following in the historical traditions of the 170-plus year old congregation of the Park Hill Church, the Cherokee National Youth Choir recorded in the same sanctuary that their ancestors had worked hard to build, and they continue in their mission to preserve the Cherokee language, history, songs and culture for generations to come. The CD opens with wonderful interpretations of the holiday chestnuts, "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High," before moving into the beautiful title track, "Jesus is Born Today," which was penned by Parker and Janice Ballou. Other traditional highlights include, "O Holy Night," "Away in a Manger" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." The CD closes with a spoken word narrative by Reverend Backwater, of "Grandfather's Christmas Story," complete with the warming sounds of a crackling fire. The Cherokee National Youth Choir ring in this holiday season with many blessings, including their recent Native American Music Awards nominations for "Album of the Year" and best "Gospel/Christian Recording," for their last album, "Building One Fire" (the group won the top honor for best "Gospel/Christian Recording" at the NAMMYS, on November 15). The Cherokee National Youth Choir continues with their musical vision, while they celebrate Cherokee Christmases past, present and future on Jesus is Born Today, a CD that will most certainly become a holiday favorite.

Tracks:

Three Chorales: O Lord In Me Fulfill - O Deepest Grief - What Splendid Rays
Three Sonatas: Largo, Allegro, Scherzo
Three Sonatas: Largo, Allegro, Allegro
Three Sonatas: Adagio, Allegro, Scherzo
Communion Hymn
Moravian Funeral Chorales: Passion Chorale - Sleep Thy Last Sleep - Passion Chorale
The Liturgical Year: Advent - Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - Once He Came In Blessing
The Liturgical Year: Christmas - All My Heart This Night Rejoices
The Liturgical Year: Passion Week - Go To Dark Gethsemane
The Liturgical Year: Easter - Sleepers Wake - I Give Thee Thanks Unfeigned
The Liturgical Year: All Saints Day - The Thousand Times Ten Thousand
Moravian Chorale Cycle
Hosanna
O Come, Immanuel; All the World Gives Praises; How Shall I Meet My Saviour
Ave Maria
To Us A Child Is Born This Night - Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly - Once He Came In Blessing
To Us A Child Is Born
O Come All Ye Faithful - Angels We Have Heard On High - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Hosanna
Prague, 7th C.; Ride On In Majesty; Go To Dark Gethsemane
Crucifixus
Solemn Intrata
Christians Dismiss Your Fear; The Day Of Resurrection; Jesus Christ Is Risen Today; Lyra Davidica
Christ Unto Us Has Left An Example

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!!.......2003-08-07

This is a must for all trombonists and music historians!! The sound of these groups is just amazing! Nowhere else can you get a sound like you do with the instruments that these trombonists use. Where else can you hear a contrabass, bass, tenor, alto, soprano, and sopranino trombones all together? A great CD for a historical reference on the trombone also...tromobone chiors are one of the oldest forms of music, and THE oldest perfoming groups in the USA are the Moravian trombone choirs. This CD gives us a rare look into the past of how trombones were commonly used in centuries past, and how the tradition continues today.

Favorite Moravian chorales from childhood........1999-11-20

Trombone choirs! I love them. Everytime I hear this recording, I see again the church of my childhood and the trombone choir standing out in the snow near the front steps playing Christmas chorales during the hour before the Christmas Eve service. Why were they out there a full hour before the service? If you wanted a seat, you had to arrive an hour early, because late comers sat in folding chairs in the cloakrooms, or stood in the back. That church was filled to brimming only on Christmas Eve, because music lovers came from miles away to hear traditional Moravian Christmas music, and where else could one possibly hear it? Some of it is on this recording. The words sung to track 8 are "All my heart this night rejoices...", and that sense of anticipation and pleasure is exactly what Moravians feel as they enjoy a night of great music, sung mostly by the people in the pews, not just the choirs. It's all here. The great songs from Advent, Lent, songs of repentance, forgiveness, joy, for baptising babies and burying old people. When you hear track 19, Hosanna, think of a room full of singers on Palm Sunday, echoing back and forth to each other, the little girls and women singing back to the boys and men. My only criticism is that there are perhaps too many songs in minor keys grouped together. They evoke too much sadness and start to sound like endless dirges. The musical interpretation and masterful rendering of the chorales is absolutely delightful, not only for us who hold all the words in our heads and are singing along, but also for those who will assign their own meaning to the music.

Average customer rating:

Carolling

Manufacturer: Supraphon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000025OEQ

Tracks:

Buh Se Nynarodil (The Lord Is Born Today)
Otce Nebesk (Of Our Father Divine)
Det'o Se Narodilo (A Sweet Child Is Born)/Slicnacholo (Little
Intermezzo I. -Poslouchejte Krest'anHark Christians)
Cht Aby Spal (Lullaby)
Den SvatebnWedding Day)
Syn Boze NNarodil (The Son of God Is Born to Us)
ProzpevujndelovAngels Singing)
Dko Det'o Chce M (Whoever Will Have the Baby)
Zvestujem VRadost (Bringing the Good News to You)
Veselme Se Vsichni NynLet Us All Rejoice Now)
Cas Radosti, Veselosti (Time of Joy, Time of Good Cheer
Intermezzo II. -Dej Buh StestMay the Lord Bless This House)
Stedrej Vecer Nastal (Christmas Eve Is Come)
Byla Cesta UslapanA Path Well Trodden)
AndP (Lord's Angel)
Poslechnete LidHark Good Folks All)
Veselte Se, Radujte Se (Rejoice You All)/ZajBez H (The ...)
Hajej, Nynej (Lullaby)
Koledov (Carolling)
Nesem VNoviny (Bringing the Good News to You)
Pi Ovce Valasi (The Shepherd's Song)
Radujte Se Pttka (Little Birds, Rejoice)
Pujdem Spolu Do Betl (On Our Way to Bethleham)
Narodil Se Kristus P(The Lord Jesus Is Born)

Average customer rating:

Christmas With the Stars 2

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Christmas With the Stars

ASIN: B00000JXPQ
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Snow
Coventry Carol
In Dulci Jubilo
A Christmas Carol
Magnificat: Et Exsultavit
While Shepherds Watched
Fulfilment
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Messiah: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Alleluia
Oh Du Froehliche
The Christmas Song
I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked
Cantique De Noel
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy
Christmas Oratorio: Chorale: Wie soll ich dich empfangen
There Is No Rose Of Such Virtue
Shepherds Rejoice
Rocking Carol
Les anges dans nos campagnes
Douce nuit
Silent Night

Amazon.com

Devout and devotional, Christmas with the Stars, Vol. 2 showcases many quality choirs, orchestras, and ensembles with appearances by the group Chanticleer, pop singer Natalie Cole, and Celtic singer composer Loreena McKennitt. Opera stars Placido Domingo, José Carreras, and a handful of others are joined by the critically acclaimed St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, the Choir of New College, Oxford, and the Boston Camerata in uplifting performances that will send spirits soaring. Here's a Christmas record steeped in Old World musical tradition with operatic brilliance and the sonorous comfort and joy of brass, strings, percussion, and the splendor of human voices realized in colorful harmony and veneration. --Martin Keller

Average customer rating:

From the Producers Desk

Jesus Is Born Today
Cherokee National Youth Choir
Manufacturer: Cherokee Nation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Building One Fire

ASIN: B0000YQGU4
Release Date: 2003-11-17

Tracks:

Silent Night
Joy to the World
Angels We Have heard On High
Jesus is Born Today
O Holy Night
Away in a Manger
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
What Child is This
Birth of a Saviour
Grandfather's Christmas Story

Album Description

The Cherokee National Youth Choir Ring in the Holidays with a Beautiful New CD (Nashville) In the spirit of the true meaning of the Cherokee Christmas holiday, the Cherokee National Youth Choir delivers a new CD of traditional and original songs of worship and celebration, entitled Jesus is Born Today (which is a translation from Cherokee, of the word Christmas). The album features powerful performances; young voices lifted in song, in the beauty of the Cherokee language. The project soars with full choir productions and in selections by smaller groupings of the choir members, accompanied by Musical Producer, Jeffrey Gray Parker, who adds shimmering musical flourishes on keyboards and guitar. They are also joined in spoken word by well respected Cherokee elder, Reverend Leroy Backwater. Jesus is Born Today was recorded at the historic Park Hill Presbyterian Church in Park Hill, Oklahoma, and at Cimarron Sound Lab studio, in Tahlequah. Following in the historical traditions of the 170-plus year old congregation of the Park Hill Church, the Cherokee National Youth Choir recorded in the same sanctuary that their ancestors had worked hard to build, and they continue in their mission to preserve the Cherokee language, history, songs and culture for generations to come. The CD opens with wonderful interpretations of the holiday chestnuts, "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High," before moving into the beautiful title track, "Jesus is Born Today," which was penned by Parker and Janice Ballou. Other traditional highlights include, "O Holy Night," "Away in a Manger" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." The CD closes with a spoken word narrative by Reverend Backwater, of "Grandfather's Christmas Story," complete with the warming sounds of a crackling fire. The Cherokee National Youth Choir ring in this holiday season with many blessings, including their recent Native American Music Awards nominations for "Album of the Year" and best "Gospel/Christian Recording," for their last album, "Building One Fire" (the group won the top honor for best "Gospel/Christian Recording" at the NAMMYS, on November 15). The Cherokee National Youth Choir continues with their musical vision, while they celebrate Cherokee Christmases past, present and future on Jesus is Born Today, a CD that will most certainly become a holiday favorite.

Customer Reviews:

From the Producers Desk.......2003-12-04

A fantastic piece of work from the two time NAMMY winner Cherokee National Youth Choir! Traditional Christian Christmas Songs in the Cherokee Language, and a great original piece for the title cut.
It was a joy to record this historical piece of work, these kids are the best, we love 'em!

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
Up! Good Christian
The Lord At First
The Holly & The Ivy
Unto Us Is Born A Son
Jesus Child
The Hunter
Mary's Lullaby
What Is This Fragrance
Come, Marie, Elisabette
O Come All Ye Faithful
To Bethlehem

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Puer Natus
Torches
Hush, My Dear
Lo, The Messiah
Mary Had A Baby
Shepards, Shake Off
Saw You Never
Noel We Sing
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Star Carol
Love Came Down At Christmas
Joy To The World
All Glory, Laud, And Honor
The Way To Jerusalem
Choral Variations On 'Ah, Holy Jesus'
O Vos Omnes
The Joyful Eastertide
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Christ Our Passover

Tracks:

Praise To The Lord
The Lord's My Shepard
Ye Holy Angels Bright
Fairest Lord Jesus
Praise The Lord! Ye Heavens
Our God, Our Help
God That Madest Earth & Heaven
From All That Dwell
My Song Shall Be Alway
Come, Holy Ghost
There Is A Balm In Gilead
Let Us With A Gladsom Mind
Prologue To The 'Apostles'
Festival Te Deum
Evening Hymn

Customer Reviews:

A good memento of a time and place.......2005-09-21

As a young singer I participated in most of these recordings, so it's a bit hard to be objective. The most successful segments are those on the "Lessons and Carols" disc, recorded in May of 1981. John Walker's organ accompaniments are subtle and beautifully voiced; as a result the choral singing they accompany is consistent, beautifully blended and in tune. The readings, particularly the reading and prayer from William Sloane Coffin, are wonderful to hear again.

The rest, recorded in 1978 and 1979, are much less successful. There is much oversinging, even screaming, in the louder choral passages, the choral sound in general is "woofy", not very in tune and unblended, in the fashion of much choral singing of the time, and the organ playing of Swann and McDonald as accompaniment is consistently too loud, even ugly in tone. The only articulate and beautiful playing on these earlier recordings is that of the late organist and harpsichordist Jerry Brainard, and he participates in only two selections! These recordings were made with three microphones, a stereo pair at the front and one at the back for ambience, in the dry acoustic Riverside had at the time (it has since been "corrected" to a soupy overreverberance), so microphoning was not the problem. This is a good represntation of the way this sounded at the time, according to listeners in the congregation.

Also, as was true of the original LP releases, the stereo image on the earlier recordings is reversed: left is right and right is left. I'm surprised that this error was not caught and corrected in the digital transfer. Much of the analog tape noise has been eliminated, but there is still quite a bit of audio distortion in the louder portions. On my copy, the CD's had some trackinig difficulties, even on a new player.