Various Composers - Dancing Tree: Choral Landscapes (St. Charles Singers)

Information

• John Rutter - Dancing Tree
• Charles Villiers Stanford - The Blue Bird, Op. 119, No. 3
• Charles Forsberg - Buttercup Days
• Claude Debussy - Trois Chansons
• Benjamin Britten - Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27
• Jake Runestad - Cello Songs

St. Charles Singers

Jeff Hunt, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Navona

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DANCING TREE showcases the St. Charles Singers, conducted by Jeff Hunt, in a compelling program bridging early 20th-century choral masterworks and contemporary compositions. The album is anchored by Sir John Rutter’s title work—an eight-song cycle commissioned for the ensemble based on the folklore- and nature-infused poetry of Charles Causley. The repertoire also features classic works by Britten, Debussy, and Stanford, alongside custom-written pieces by Jake Runstad (Cello Songs) and Charles Forsberg (Buttercup Days). Accompanied with fluid precision by cellist Jean Hatmaker, harpist Erin Freund, and pianist Stephen Uhl, the choir delivers a richly nuanced and expressive performance.

Founded in 1984 in St. Charles, Illinois, the St. Charles Singers is an acclaimed professional chamber choir directed by founder Jeff Hunt. Hailed by American Record Guide as "a national treasure," the ensemble comprises professional vocalists, instructors, and choral directors celebrated for their balanced blend, vibrant tone, and versatile musicianship. The choir regularly collaborates with prominent guest conductors, including Sir John Rutter, Timothy Brown, Philip Moore, and Craig Hella Johnson, maintaining a high standard of performance across a diverse range of choral literature.

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