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This new compact disc is the fourth recorded by the New Engalnd Brass Band under the direction of Douglas Yeo.  Recorded in Boston's acoustically acclaimed Symphony Hall in January and June of 2005 (the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra), it features a fresh mix of familiar and new Christmas music from around the world including:

 * The Spirit of Christmas (Peter Graham)
 * Christmas Bells Are Ringing - The Carols of Alfred Burt (Alfred Burt, arr. Stephen Bulla)
 * What Sweeter Music (John Rutter, arr. Douglas Yeo)
 * Huron Carol (French-Canadian folk carol, arr. Kevin Norbury)
Terry Everson, cornet solo
 * March: Christmas Rejoicing (William Gordon)
 * Away in a Manger (William Kirkpatrick, arr. Peter Graham)
Kevin Maloney, flugelhorn solo
 * Gaudete! (Kevin Norbury)
 * Three Kings Swing (French folk carol, arr. William Himes)
Terry Everson, jazz cornet solo
 * Russian Christmas Music (Alfred Reed, arr. John W. deSalme)
 * Once, in Royal David's City (Henry John Gauntlett, arr. Terry R. Everson)
Douglas Yeo, bass trombone solo
 * Mid-winter (Gustav Holst, arr. Stephen Bulla)
 * Feliz Navidad (Jóse Feliciano, arr. Dorothy Gates)
 * The Kingdom Triumphant (Eric Ball)

 

“Kingdom Triumphant would, take it on my long and intimate relationship with Eric (Ball), have pleased him enormously.  The reading was musical, mature and uplifting. The opening especially set the tone for the signature motive throughout and was as well presented as I have ever heard it. This is a tough piece to make happen and you and your bunch did it proud.  I honestly don't know of a more musical reading of it.
My favorite is Russian Christmas Music.  It is a most challenging piece from a spatial standpoint and you hit a grand-slam with it.
The musicians were clearly "into" this piece and it is felt.
Gaudete has countless clever scoring/color triumphs, well realized on the record.
The album will be a smash hit because there is something for almost everyone and whether a piece is to one's liking or not it is all well presented.  I know you are pleased with this, your latest musical child, and you should be.  Congratulations!”
- Robert Getz, former bandmaster of the Cambridge SA band.

“Please convey my congratulations to your band for a wonderful CD.  I enjoyed the whole CD---Gaudete!---fantastic, What Sweeter Music---what a beautiful melody---nice job... Well---a wonderful CD that your band can be proud of.”
- Anita Cocker Hunt, president of NABBA

“I just received a copy of This Is Christmas...I must say, the band has entered into a new level of playing w/  this recording...the performance has captured much in the way of "live" excitement...it gave me the impression that the band went for all the marbles & came up smelling roses...that you turned them loose a bit...anyway, congratulations on a fine CD...my personal favorite is the Russian Christmas Music...takes me back to some great University days......thanks & keep up the great work...”
- William Gordon, composer