I Remember December

I Remember December
, was recorded in 1994 and features the enormous talent of Timmins Youth Singers’Alumnus Patricia O’Callaghan

Now acclaimed as the foremost cabaret star of her generation by Billboard’s editor Timothy White, Ms. O’Callaghan has garnered international media attention through her innovative performances that span multi-genres, including classical, pop, jazz and modern musical theatre.

Also featured is an exceptional Northern Ontario Celtic/Folk artist by the name of Kevin Closs, whose songwriting and vocal skills are unsurpassed and truly unique in quality.

The Timmins Youth Singers, conducted by Rosanne Simunovic and accompanied by Susan Steel on piano and Gordon Simpson on keyboard ,give an inspiring performance on this album and the selections featuring the choir, Patricia and Kevin are pure magic. An album to rekindle the wonderful and magical memories of Christmas!

Reviews

1. Amazon.Com
By Peter Durward Harris “Pete the music fan” (Leicester England)
Amazon.Com Top 50 Reviewer

The songs are a great mix of old chestnuts and original material. If you are looking for a collection of obvious songs, you’ll find some here, but not many. Classical composer John Rutter wrote the first two songs (Good ale and Blow blow thou winter wind) and also arranged the ancient but rarely recorded Here we come a-wassailing. Old-fashioned Christmas, Unto you this night, Let their celestial concerts unite, Let there be praise and I Remember December are among the songs that are new to me.

Patricia was originally a member of the Timmins youth singers and has since become a successful cabaret singer. Patricia has a clear, operatic soprano voice, which she controls perfectly as you can hear on the three songs she sings – Have yourself a very merry Christmas, O Holy Night/Cantique De Noel (both featuring her as soloist) and I remember December (which also features Kevin Closs).

Kevin is a renowned Celtic folk singer-songwriter and would seem to be an unlikely choice of guest on an album of choral music but his contribution is outstanding. He is the featured soloist on The Christmas song and Unto you this night.

This is an interesting choral Christmas album made more so by the addition of Kevin and Patricia as soloists on selected songs.

2.ChristmasReviews.Com
By Carol Swanson
www.ChristmasReviews.Com

Rosanne Simunovic, the accomplished founder and conductor of the Timmins Youth Singers (subsequently called the Timmins Concert Singers), told me in recent correspondence that I Remember December is the group’s most popular CD. It is easy to see why.
Snow, children, and Christmas make for a potent blend, and that potential is realized on I Remember December. This CD features 15 wonderful tracks, nicely blending popular favorites with classical compositions. On the classical side, Composer John Rutter, a great favorite of mine, has three winning songs here, beginning with the opening number Good Ale. Although it may be somewhat disconcerting to have youngsters boisterously singing “Bring me good ale!”, the upbeat and celebratory tune sets the tone for this fine holiday offering. As the young singers move into Rutter’s Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, the ambiance becomes much moodier, and you can almost feel the cutting winter wind whipping through Timmins. The final Rutter number, Here We Come A-Wassailing, is a natural fit for these young voices; you can just picture the children moving up and down the snowy streets, wassailing with natural joy and energy.

It should be noted, too, that (Patricia) O’Callaghan does a masterful job on the prior cut, singing a gorgeous soprano solo on O Holy Night/Cantique De Noel.

If you are looking for a well-balanced set of memorable holiday songs presented by a talented youth choir, you have found the right CD. You will remember to put I Remember December on your audio system each December year after year after year.

Hey there singers!

By now, most of you should have been contacted about voice lessons which begin on Tuesday, September 2nd.

If you haven’t secured your time slot, you should do so immediately, as I will be adding new students to the mix over the next few days.

Also, make sure that all your music is organized and that you please, please bring bottled water to your lessons. I can’t count the number of times I have had to hydrate my singers last season and I am only happy to do so. However, it is always convenient to have water with you, so please try to remember to back a bottle of water with your music.

Look forward to seeing all of you! That was the quickest two months ever, wouldn’t you agree?