WHAT'S NEW

YOUTH ORCHESTRA of GREATER FORT WORTH
40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT at BASS PERFORMANCE HALL
This superb youth orchestra celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year. Founded in 1965 by a community group headed by Betty Utter and under the direction of Ezra Rachlin and John Giordano, the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth has since expanded to four orchestras of young musicians from all over North Texas. The more than two hundred students in the program range in age from seven to nineteen years, and are chosen through competitive auditions on the basis of their musical ability and potential. The gala, performed in the Bass Performance Hall, in Fort Worth, Texas, closed with the Russian and Ludmilla Overture by Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857).

 

WITH HEART AND HANDS AND VOICES
Hymns and Chorales for Organ

Dr. Judy Congdon, Professor of Organ and College Organist, at Houghton College, Houghton, New York, has assembled a wonderful program of hymns and chorales. "More than half the hymns represented are from the German Lutheran tradition, dating from the seventeenth century and before. Others stem, more recently, from the English-speaking world, primarily revivalist traditions and the Anglican Church. All are hymns whose beauty, both theological and musical, has fed me and formed me.," says Dr. Congdon. All the works were recorded on the 1962 Holtkamp Organ, designed and built by Walter Holtkamp, Sr. and located in Wesley Chapel on the Houghton College campus in rural Western New York State. She is assisted by Dr. Paul DeBoer, trumpet, on two pieces. Enjoy this excerpt from "Variations on 'Showalter,'" better known to many as "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!"

 

LIVE SOUND AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PFO-TCK

PFO-TCK stands for Pre-Field Orientation and Third Culture Kids. This conference, hosted by Association of Christian Schools International and Interact!, at Houghton College in Western New York state is for missionary teachers and dorm parents going overseas. The kids they work with are largely third culture kids. We considered it a privilege to provide live sound support as well as general technical support to staff and conference attendees.

ASBURY COLLEGE REUNION 2005 with Albin Whitworth and various ensembles from 1955 and later

It's an incredibly joyous occasion when God's people come together and sing His praises! And we might as well get in practice because that's a large part of what Eternity is about. This excerpt gives an idea of a great practice session!

 

COMPILATIONS OF 2005 UIL Concert and Sightreading Contests FOR TEXAS REGION 7.

These compilations include every piece sung by every choir and every piece played by every band and are an excellent representation of the "state of music" in Region 7 of North Central Texas. These multi-CD compilations began in 2001. Follow the link above to listings and pricing. Hotarru Koi, here performed by a Middle School choir is a rather unusual choral piece.

 

RIVER CITY MEN'S CHORUS

This offering is from a delightful men's group in Little Rock, Arkansas. Newly formed in late Fall of 2002 they exhibit wonderful sound and phrasing. Their program on songs of FAITH, in September 2005 began with several ancient Russian Orthodox hymns. Hospodi pomilui is an ancient Russian Orthodox chant insistently pleading, "Lord, have mercy." It is the one phrase that many of the faithful, no matter how limited their linguistic knowledge otherwise, will know in all three of the Church's great traditional tongues: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie, eleison. Hospodi, pomilui. The words are simple, yet powerful. This rendition, composed by the Russian Grigory Lvovsky (1830-1894), evokes an era reminiscent of that in which medieval chant resonates in a world lit only by fire.

 

ARKANSAS CHAMBER SINGERS

Their 25th Anniversary Christmas CD includes nine versions of the Ave Maria, unique handbell arrangements and many other carols/Christmas music you are unlikely to encounter from most other groups. I know you'll enjoy their rendition of Ding Dong Merrily On High/Good King Wenceslas!

 

GEORGE and PENNY HOGAN

Talk about great singing! This husband and wife performed the Natchez Opera Gala Recital and, appropriately, titled it Songs of the River. You won't find a better rendition of Old Man River anywhere! Try this excerpt!

 

FELIPE RAM�REZ

Name not familiar? Maybe not but I believe it will be someday. Felipe is a brilliant young pianist from Spain. Or, is it the Philippines? Actually he calls both home but his recent marriage to Jennifer puts his home now in Dallas, Texas. Two years ago we recorded his rendition of Granados' Goyescas. This is the most complete and finest recording of them available. (others omit certain passages) These certainly rank among Spain's greatest contributions to piano literature.

Now Felipe is making available his "LIVE! from Carpenter Hall" performance. Here is an excerpt.

 

UNHINGED!

Open Door Ministries, a group committed to our Lord Jesus Christ, ministers to the material and spiritual needs of the unchurched of Johnson County; and in the Texas prison system, along with annual outreaches to various parts of Europe, Latin America and Africa. Meeting in a converted auto service garage the congregation is composed largely of folk who were never part of a church, even as children. They have no piano, organ or choir in their worship service. What they do have is UnHinged! Led by Pastor Troy Brewer, who composes many of their pieces, this group leads their worship services. And their reach extends beyond Joshua, TX, because radio stations in the United States and Europe feature their recordings.

While our recording business is largely "classical music" in nature, I believe UnHinged! has a classical thought-provoking and compelling message for our world. See if you don't agree. Though Very Few Could See there is a Standing Invitation for all mankind. To find out more, visit their web site.

 

DVD

We now record in surround sound format. Audio is encoded in Dolby Digital format that includes 5.1 surround. It is also compatible with 2 channel stereo. A 5.1 speaker system (5 channels of audio plus subwoofer) is required for maximum enjoyment. But if that's not available regular stereo playback works fine. Note that this is DVD and not Compact Disc.

DVD (or Digital Versatile Disc) is very versatile. Most people think of it only in terms of movie rentals to replace VHS tape but it is capable of so many other applications. Many of you have heard the wonderful surround sound on rental movies. Now, just imagine audio only - no movie! Currently we manufacture a "music compilation" DVD. This is a DVD that is primarily music but the Chapters (same as tracks on a Compact Disc) can feature photographs or graphics behind the titles. Of course, if you don't want to use your TV or monitor you don't have to and the DVD will play without any visual effects.

If you want to enjoy this medium and don't have equipment, Sanyo and APEX both make inexpensive players for less than $60.00 that play CD, CDR, CDRW, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the APEX will even play a Kodak Picture CD producing a slide-show on your monitor or TV. Check your local Wal-mart, Sears, and even grocery stores such as Albertsons for availability of these units.

Len Bobo has just completed his wonderful organ improvisation DVD in surround sound titled HYMNprovs, HYMNtros and HYMNprints. See his listing on our "Products" page. Note: the sample is a stereo file. The full surround recording with the proper speakers can be used for a lease-breaker should you need one! It is also available on CD in two channel stereo.

 

 

 

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