One of America's great professional vocal ensembles, the 9-voice a capella men's choir, Cantus, joins host Brian Newhouse for this rare one-hour studio performance of Christmas classics. The group was formed 11 years ago by a group of friends in a Minnesota college dormitory-men who simply loved singing together and wanted to keep going after graduation. Their style is a unique blend of strength and grace. Critics and audiences are catching on to Cantus as the choir now tours the world and has made several award-winning recordings. Christmas with Cantus features them in an intimate setting of close harmonies. You'll hear breathtaking new arrangements of the Spiritual "Go Where I Send Thee" and "Silent Night." Plus, a few surprises in the gorgeous new work "Lux Aurumque" by the popular young American composer Eric Whitacre. And favorites like "Winter Wonderland" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" get the inimitable Cantus treatment.

Listen to the program

Eric Whitacre: Lux Aurumque
Traditional (Spiritual, arr. Stephen Hatfield): Go where I send thee
John Jacob Niles: I wonder as I wander
Kenneth Jennings: O Little Town of Bethlehem
William Billings: Shiloh
William L. Dawson: Hail Mary!
Juan Orrego-Salas: Villancico, Aleluya, Danza, from Canticos de Navidad
Ariel Ramirez: La Huida
Felix Bernard/Dick Smith (arr. J. Edward Waesche): Winter Wonderland
Traditional (arr. Timothy C. Takach): 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
Traditional (arr. Brian Arreola): Silent Night