For those not in the know, the Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford is one of the world's most renowned choral institutions.

Indeed, it is one of the most active university choirs in the UK and was recently hailed as ‘one of the world’s most renowned choirs’ by Classic FM (UK).

Its wide-ranging repertory includes a rich array of music from Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces to contemporary works, including commissions.

During the academic year the choir provides the music for regular services in the splendid Baroque Chapel of The Queen’s College, Oxford.

The choir offers eight choral scholarships (open to all voices) each year as well as organ scholarships.

Their brand new album is entitled Carols from Queen's (out now via AVIE Records) and - complete with Owen Rees, director and Harry Meehan and Rebecca Baker, organ scholars - it represents the choir in all its luxuriant glory.

1. John Tavener (1944 – 2013) O do not move (1:51)
2. Trad. Basque Carol, arr. Jim Clements (b. 1983) Gabriel’s Message (3:07)
3. Arr. Andrew Carter (b. 1939) Angelus ad virginem (3:05)
4. Herbert Howells (1892 – 1983) A Spotless Rose (3:21)
5. Philip Stopford (b. 1977) Lully, Lulla, Lullay (4:18)
6. Adolf Adam (1803 – 1856), arr. John Rutter (b. 1945) O Holy Night (5:53)
7. Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847), arr. David Willcocks (b. 1919) Hark! The herald angels sing (3:15)
8. Peter Warlock (1894 – 1930) Bethlehem Down (4:43)
9. Howells Sing lullaby (3:28)
10. Trad., arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 – 1958) and Thomas Armstrong (1898 – 1994)
O little town of Bethlehem (3:49)
11. Anon. (from Pić cantiones, 1582) Gaudete (1:37)
12. Harold Darke (1888 – 1976) In the bleak midwinter (4:41)
13. Arr. Martin Shaw (1875 – 1958) Coventry Carol (2:23)
14. 16th-century French tune, arr. Charles Wood (1866 – 1926) Ding dong! merrily on high (2:02)
15. Tavener The Lamb (3:39)
16. Trad. (The Queen’s College, Oxford) The boar’s head carol (1:28)
17. Kenneth Leighton (1929 – 1988) Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child (3:21)
18. Hector Berlioz (1803 – 1869) The Shepherds’ Farewell (5:25)
19. Jonathan Dove (b. 1959) Welcome all wonders (4:24)
20. Peter Cornelius (1824 – 1874), arr. Ivor Atkins (1869 – 1953) The Three Kings (2:34)
21. Trad., arr. David Willcocks Sussex Carol (1:47)
22. Arr. David Willcocks O come all ye faithful (4:10)

Opening with the gentle O do not move, the Choir moves on seamlessly into both the stirring Gabriel’s Message, and then both the flightly organ work of Angelus ad virginem and the beautiful A Spotless Rose.

The mid-section comprises some Christmas standards, but brought forth here via the Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford, well, they just seem so much more alive, fresh now.

Holiday fare such as O Holy Night, Hark! The herald angels sing and O little town of Bethlehem are a true joy to behold, as Ding dong! merrily on high, The Shepherds’ Farewell and the closing trio of The Three Kings, Sussex Carol, and O come all ye faithful.

This blockbuster holiday album celebrates the Choir's illustrious history, and offers some of the most beloved carols from throughout the ages.

Please, if you love to immerse yourself in the Holiday music that you already know and love, try something a little different and buy this CD, today. You won't regret it, of that you have my word.

CD Purchase Link

www.QueensChoir.com