Merrily on High: Celebration of Christmas (LIVE)

Each Christmas season at Brigham Young University over 500 vocalists and instrumentalists celebrate the season in song. Handpicked from the largest private student body in the country, these students comprise four nationally and internationally acclaimed choirs and the highly praised Philharmonic Orchestra.

These musical organizations are known for their unity, due in part to the superb technical proficiency achieved under the hands of choral conductors Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, and Jean Applonie and Philharmonic conductor Kory Katseanes. But there is more. Students and conductors share a strong belief in the spiritual character of music. As one critic observed, “The spiritual element is present in each piece the choirs sing.” This results in performances that are alive, fresh, and heartfelt—performances that overcome boundaries and draw people together.

The music presented here was recorded during the live performances of the December 2010 Celebration of Christmas concerts and features BYU faculty artist Darrell Babidge.

TRACK LIST

BYU MEN’S CHORUS
1. Masters in this Hall
French carol, arr. Mark Hayes

2. What Shall We Sing
Catalan Lullaby, arr. Howard Helvey

BYU SINGERS
3. Pat-a-pan
French carol, arr. Mark Burrows

4. Lullay Alleluia
Traditional carols, arr. Ruth Elaine Schram

BYU CONCERT CHOIR
5. In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Gustav Holst, arr. Harold Darke

6. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
English carol, arr. Stephen Oliver

BYU WOMEN’S CHORUS
7. Silent Night
Franz Gruber, arr. Christopher Downard

8. Angels We Have Heard on High
French carol, arr. Philip Kern

BYU COMBINED CHOIRS
9. Now Glad of Heart
K. Lee Scott

BYU PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
10. Fantasia on Greensleeves
Ralph Vaughan Williams

11. Sleigh Ride
Leroy Anderson

BYU COMBINED CHOIRS AND BYU PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
featuring Darrell Babidge, soloist
12. Still, Still, Still
Austrian carol, arr. Mack Wilberg

13.Ding! Dong! Merrily on High
French carol, arr. Mack Wilberg

14.Nativity Carol
John Rutter

15.We Wish You a Merry Christmas
English carol, arr. John Rutter