"If anything, “Reindeer Games” from the much bigger Clarion Brass Choir is even more interesting [than "Christmas Time Is Here" from the Canadian Brass], largely due to the imagination of founder/arranger/
trumpet gang member William Berry. He describes what they do as “Clarionizing” tunes we all know and love, and it is simply one grin after another for listeners." - Dr. Gerry Grzyb, "Dr. Christmas" on WRST-FM, 2013 |
Nutcracker Suite DreamsClarion Brass Choir - Recorded in 2000
William Berry, music director & composer/arranger Robert Spittal, conductor Nutcracker Suite Dreams selections: I Saw Three Ships • Let It Snow • Still, Still, Still • Nutcracker Suite Dreams - March, Sugarplum Blues, Bulgarian Dance, Latin Dance, Arabian Dance, Tea for Tuba, Dance of the Brass Pipes • Kommet Ihr Hirten • While By My Sheep [The Echo Carol] • Il est né, le divin enfant • A la Media Noche • Fum, Fum, Fum • Corde natus ex parentis • Patapan • Silver Bells • We Three Kings • Festival of Lights • Drummer |
A Partridge in a Pear TreeClarion Brass Choir - Recorded in 2005
William Berry, music director & composer/arranger Robert Spittal, conductor A Partridge in a Pear Tree selections: Deck the Hall • Ríu Ríu Chíu • Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella • The Holy Baby • Christmas Morning • O Come, O Come Emmanuel • Du Grønne, Glitrende Tre, God-Dag • Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree • A Partridge in a Pear Tree • Canzone d’i Zampognari • Do You Hear What I Hear? • On That Night In Bethlehem • King Swing • In the Bleak Midwinter • Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day |
Reindeer GamesClarion Brass Choir - Recorded in 2013
William Berry, music director & composer/arranger Adam Wallstein, conductor Reindeer Games selections: Rorate Coelite de Super!/ God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen • Jingle Bells • Wexford Carol • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing • Carol of the Bells • Maoz Tsur/Sevivon • Lo, How a Rose • Nöel Nouvelet • Good King Wenceslas • Have Yourself a Larry Little Christmas • Silent Night • What Child? • Reindeer Games • Merry Christmas, Darling • We Need A Little Christmas + 53 • Santa Claus is Coming to Town • Kum Ba Yah |
Holiday CD SetAll three amazing and quirky Clarion Brass CDs in a set including Nutcracker Suite Dreams, Partridge in a Pear Tree, and Reindeer Games. Brass up for the Holidays!
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AngelsAngels - A Cantata by William Berry
Recorded in 2002 The title of this cantata comes from the Greek angelos: messengers. Angels as messengers and spiritual beings are an integral part of nearly every faith and culture. This music contemplates the universal nature of angels. “I saw an angel in the stone, and carved to set it free.” - Michelangelo Robert Spittal, conductor The Candlelight Singers prepared by Darnelle Preston Members of the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus Kristina Ploeger, artistic director Clarion Brass Choir William Berry, music director Janet Satre Ahrend, organ |
Angels - A Cantata
I Heralds II Unexpected Angels III Bright Angel IIII Guardians V This Night VI Carol of the Angels VII Heralds |
American Carols - Digital DownloadAmerican Carols for Children's Chorus and Orchestra by William Berry - Recorded in 2004 Verne Windham - Conductor, Spokane Youth Orchestra Kristina Ploeger - Artistic Director, Spokane Area Children’s Chorus Thirteen American shape note, African-American and white spirituals, and folk melodies from the 1860s and earlier comprise this Christmas collection. The goal in setting them was to present the texts and the melodies in a form which would reflect the roots and spirit of the originals in a contemporary framework. As a result, the orchestrations neither attempt to be traditional folk representations nor are they intended to supplant or overwhelm the historic material with current techniques, but are timeless settings in keeping with the simple, sturdy nature of the songs themselves. Over time, these wonderful tunes have been set aside or forgotten. If this collection serves as a catalyst for returning a few of these to their rightful place in the repertory and helps people to celebrate the rich legacy of American song, it will be a success. I am hoping that these versions of the carols will sound natural and familiar, even on the first hearing, and will bring happiness to musicians and audiences for a long time to come. It is gratifying that this premiere recording of American Carols features the very same young musicians for whom it was written and who gave the work its first performance. This Digital Download includes a 9-page pdf booklet and a complete set of 13 mp3 album tracks. |