A Christmas album with a difference – all-Canadian: new music or new arrangements of old favourites, sung by eight great Canadian singers, recording music of Canadian composers in Toronto in the steamy summer of 2002. AND – check out the gorgeous album design by Toronto artist Eric Mathew (www.ericmathew.com).

This is a great piece for small ensemble (as here) or a bigger group with two melodies – one brand new (“The Night was Cool in Bethlehem”) blending seamlessly with the antique favourite “In Dulci Jubilo” – a perfect blend of Christmas past and present.

A brand-new twist on a timeless favourite.

Frank Nakoshima’s simple arrangement of the classic Appalachian carol. Check out the solos – Mel Clark, Catherine, and lo-and-behold! the fabulous basso of David Winegarden – as rare as it is beautiful.

This uplifting setting is by James Whicher – a lovely piece by a great musician, who happens to be Catherine’s mother’s baby brother, which makes him Uncle Jim. We were thrilled that he had this piece up his sleeve for our all-Canadian Christmas album.

Norman’s setting of the classic, delicate lullabye – with a killer descant, if we do say so.

This little carol is spun around and turned just a little sideways – those halls have been decked earlier in the day and the celebrating has begun!

Norm visits his family’s homeland with a lovely arrangement of a traditional Finnish carol. He wrote, conducted, and sang the solo on this one!

A traditional French carol with a distinctive Canadian flair in the arrangement by Norman Gabriel Nurmi.

Something a little different from singer-songwriter John Botten.

A beloved Christmas lullaby in an arrangement that pulls both traditional melodies into one unique blend…

This one has been picked up by a few choirs now – including the Toronto Mendelssohn’s Christmas CD a few years ago. Once heard, its new melody, which perfectly sets the traditional and much-loved lyrics, almost puts the first one (famously arranged by Healey Willan) right out your mind. For my money, the a capella verse is worth the price of the album. Solo is by the inimitable Susan Suchard. Enjoy!

It just does not get more Canadian than this – the classic, haunting melody in a lush, sinuous, complex arrangement that brings to mind the power of the Canadian wilderness under a still, starry night sky. Written ideally for a larger group, we show how 8 voices can sound like 16.

Our title tune for good reason – this is truly a modern classic – finding hope, peace, and love under the Bethlehem sky. Catherine has the solo tune and Susan Suchard soars gloriously on the descant.

When played on CBC, Jurgen Goth called it a nifty little arrangement. And it is! For choirs who want to throw their audience a gentle and cheerful little curve.