Ave Maria (Aim Higher Recordings)

Last Christmas, the world was introduced to a talented group of young men known as The Boys of St. Paul's Choir School. In conjunction with Aim Higher Recordings, they released an album entitled Christmas in Harvard Square. This year they are back with their sophomore album Ave Maria, releasing appropriately on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The CD has 18 tracks on it with names like Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, and Pergolesi and familiar verses like Kyrie, Dignus est Agnus (Worthy is the Lamb), and of course Ave Maria. Like their first album, there is also a mix of English and Latin songs.

The verses with this CD are beautifully sung, and you can tell hearing it that it is not a concert for the boys, but a prayer. Every note and chord rises up to Heaven, making a joyful noise to the Lord. Every song the boys perform transports you to a different place and a different time. With their superb talent and precision, you can close your eyes and forget that they are so young. It almost feels like you are in a monastery listening to the chants and daily rhythms.

Within classical philosophy, there are three transcendentals (categories with universal application) in the human experience that go beyond the every day. They are the good, the true, and the beautiful, and we could say that they find their origin in God. If I may be so bold, I would say that this album (in both presentation and execution) ticks all three of those boxes. I encourage you to pick up this album and allow it to fill not only your home (or car) but fill your soul. Allow it to permeate your being and transform your life into a holy sacrifice to God.

Sacred Treasures of England (Aim Higher Recordings)

Aim Higher Recordings was founded by Monica and Kevin Fitzgibbons. It is the sister label of the wildly successful DeMontfort Music and has released two Christmas albums to date - Christmas in Harvard Square and Christmastime in New Orleans. Building on these successful albums, they have recently released a third album - Sacred Treasures of England. Sacred Treasures of England is the debut release from the London Oratory Schola Cantorum Boys Choir. You might recognize the Schola Cantorum from their feature in the The Lord of the Rings movies. The album is composed of the following fourteen tracks, which gives us sacred music from the Renaissance era:

1. Haec dies
2. Gloria
3. Credo
4. Sanctus
5. Benedictus
6. Agnus Dei
7. Salvator mundi I
8. O nata lux
9. Ave Maria
10. Ave verum corpus
11. Haec dies
12. Civitas sancti tui
13. Ave verum corpus
14. Ascendit Deus

The album is approximately one hour in length, and as you can see from the titles, the music is Latin. However, if you are a regular Mass goer, you will recognize a great majority of this music. I was stunned listening to this, because unless you knew you were listening to a boy's choir, you would think this was adults performing due to the level of perfection in their voices. It is clear that these boys practice hard at their craft and truly make it a labor of love in honor of God their creator. Nothing else would could explain the beautiful music that comes from their mouths. I have only had this album for a couple of days, but I like to listen to it in the car on the way to work or back from work, as it helps me erase the troubles of the day. This music is absolutely sublime and it is worth your time to pick up a copy of the album.

To close, I would like to share with you a video of one of the tracks, so that you can experience a taste of their talent.

Christmas in Harvard Square

Every year, the musical world is flooded with Christmas CDs from musical artists. Artists come into the studio; crank out the same tired carols, maybe a religious hymn or two; and leave having earned a quick buck from easy record sales. Yes, this is just a generalization, but it is rare to hear a sense of awe or amazement at this holy time of year when Christ became man for us. If you are looking for that powerful experience you should get from hearing Christmas music, look no further than Christmas in Harvard Square.

Christmas in Harvard Square is the debut album release of The Boys of St. Paul's Choir School. Some schools say, "We are a school with a choir." St. Paul's proudly states, "We are a choir with a school." The reason for this is the music permeates every facet of the school. It is not just some after school activity, but it is the heartbeat of the school. St. Paul's Choir School was founded in 1963, so this album is being released "as part of their initiative for the New Evangelization and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the school." It's remarkable that children this young are participating in the New Evangelization, but it just goes to show you that you're never to young to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

There is a nice variety of Christmas music among these 19 tracks. You have English tracks and Latin tracks; traditional songs and modern songs; songs you recognize, like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and songs you might have never heard of, like "Jesus Christ The Apple Tree." No matter what type of Christmas music you like, you will find something on this album for you, and all of it is beautifully sung. I would go so far as to say that I was blown away by these young boys' voices. You would never guess from hearing them that they were so young, because they sing well above their age.

I am very pleased to add another CD to my growing collection of Liturgical Seasons CDs. Christmas in Harvard Square is a perfect complement to Advent at Ephesus and Lent at Ephesus. Now, I just need an Easter album, and I'm all set. What about Ordinary Time, you say? Well, since it's the longest season, you need several albums for that, and I have Angels and Saints at Ephesus and Mater Eucharistae. I have also heard that an album on The Rosary is coming out in November! We are truly blessed with all of this Catholic music that is so readily available now, and I look forward to seeing what else lies in store in the future. To see The Making of Christmas in Harvard Square, check out the video below!