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I have reviewed two holiday releases by the Heartland Men's Chorus (HMC) this season (the other was A New December). While both offerings are strong, I slightly prefer this one: A Song for Christmas, which is HMC's first commercial CD, released originally in 1995. This oldie is definitely a goodie.

Today, HMC is a large (125 voice) choir; its gay (and gay-sensitive) singers have been making great music for over two decades. When A Song for Christmas was made in 1995, the chorus was less than half its current size, and that may contribute to its somewhat cleaner, sharper sound. The song selection is also outstanding. The opening Winter Triptych is particularly fine; it is also the longest track (almost seven minutes) and, as the name suggests, melds several well-known carols. Very nicely done! Bill Casey's solo on O Holy Night is inspiring, and the fluid, unison singing that blossoms into full-blown harmonies on the moody Silent Night, Holy Night is a treasure. Much of this music is familiar, but tracks such as Water Under Snow Is Weary were entirely new.

The album ends well with a traditional rendition of White Christmas and, not surprisingly, a lovely presentation of Fred Silver's lesser-known A Song for Christmas. It is a charming way to close HMC's nicely-conceived holiday classic--and original commercial release.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the liner notes:

Joseph P. Nadeau, Artistic Director
Rick Fisher, Executive Director

All selections on A Song for Christmas conducted by Reuben M. Reynolds, III.
Instrumentalists:
Anthony Edwards, Piano
John Ditto, Organ
Debra Wells Clark, Harp
Caroline Camp, Flute
Karen Robertson Smith, Horn
Scott Gregory, Recording Engineer
Bungalow Creative, Graphic Design and Photography

A Song for Christmas was the Chorus' first commercial CD recording, first released in 1995. It was a labor of love some two years in the making under the guidance of then-Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds, III.... In celebration of its 20th Anniversary Season, the Heartland Men's Chorus is re-releasing this wonderful holiday recording. Although the Chorus has more than doubled in size since these pieces were recorded, the magnificent acoustics in the Chapel at Park University, Parkville, Missouri allowed this group to sound like the large chorus it has become.


From the Website:

Heartland Men's Chorus provides excellence in performance while advancing men's choral music, building community, and reaching out to diverse audiences.

Heartland Men's Chorus is Kansas City's gay men's chorus, singing out in Kansas City since 1986.

The members of HMC have joined together for the purpose of making music as a not-for-profit, volunteer chorus of gay and gay-sensitive people who are making a positive cultural contribution to the entire community.

The Heartland Men's Chorus

A Song for Christmas

Artist link

Track List