Monday will be a day for “Celebrations!”
That’s when the Chattanooga Boys Choir is releasing its first CD, “Celebrations,” a compilation of favorite selections performed by the choristers.
“The CD is a mix of holiday and choir favorites,” said Vincent Oakes, CBC director.
Where to buy the CD”Celebrations!” is $15. It will be sold at all branches of Cornerstone Bank and at performances of The Singing Christmas Tree on Dec. 4. The CD also may be purchased by calling the choir office at 634-2299.Holiday Performances* Dec. 4: Singing Christmas Tree, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Tivoli Theatre, tickets start at $10.* Dec. 12: Rock City Enchanted Lights, 6:50 and 7:45 p.m., 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain.* Dec. 17: Bach’s Lunch, noon, Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave.
“It has everything from a South African freedom song and spirituals to the classics from Bach and Handel. There’s something for everybody,” he said.
The current choristers got a taste of recording last year when they were guest artists on two CDs. The guys backed Casting Crowns on “Peace on Earth,” and recorded with the Nashville Symphony on a CD that was nominated for a Grammy this year.
“Celebrations!” is the choir’s first CD of its own music. Prior to this, the last time the CBC was recorded, cassettes were high-tech.
The project was underwritten by Cornerstone Bank as a fundraiser for the CBC. All proceeds from the CD’s sales will help fund the choir’s tour to French Canada.
“This was a first-time project for us,” said Charlotte Lindeman, Cornerstone vice president of marketing.
“We wanted to support a local nonprofit we were passionate about and give back to the community. Supporting the Chattanooga Boys Choir expresses that while bringing the gift of music to the community this holiday season. It’s a fabulous recording,” she said.
Oakes said the CD wouldn’t have been possible without Cornerstone’s help. He said about $3,000 was required just in obtaining licensing from publishers to record their songs before recording ever began.
The CD includes holiday favorites that have been performed in past Singing Christmas Tree shows, the annual holiday production presented by the CBC. Among these are “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” and “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.”
There are numbers that the choristers will sing in the Singing Christmas Tree that will take place Dec. 4, such as Handel’s “Sing for Joy” and the Hebrew folk song, “Hine Ma Tov.”
“Celebrations!” also features songs that have become associated with the choir throughout its 56-year history, such as “Deep River” and “You Raise Me Up.”
The 16 tracks include two sung only by the Cantabile Choir and the remainder by the CBC Concert Choir or Concert/Cantabile Choirs. The CD was recorded and mixed by Bryan Laseter.
For more information about the CD, call the choir office at 634-2299 or check the website, www.chattanooga boyschoir.org