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For a sample of the songs with a slide show and lyrics click on "LISTEN" and download the Christmas Carols Song Browser.

Christmas Spirit

The music and lyrics are those of New England composer, George Makredes, whose motivation takes aim at reaffirming the true meaning of Christmas. Ten brand new compositions were written for Christmas, inspired by that very desire.

The new CD, titled "Christmas Spirit," contains twelve songs, featuring The Carolliers™, local resident artists, rendering heartfelt performances in chorus and as soloists. A wide spectrum of orchestrations, lyrics and melodies is heard, adapted to match each song's theme. Virtually all of the moods of Christmas are expressed musically from solemn to pop to jazz to blues to world and even folk.

Recorded in Boston, produced and arranged by Pericles Kanaris, it succeeds in rekindling a spirit of Christmas that evokes images of family, friends, firesides and faith. You might say, it's a singing Christmas card, introducing fresh new music that cheers, cajoles, consoles and reveres that very special happening over two millennia ago in Bethlehem, we call Christmas.

Copyright © 2002 ANOEL MUSIC™ All Rights Reserved.
Distributed by ANOEL MUSIC™
P.O. Box 1423, Arlington, MA 02474-0022
Tel. 781-641-3760
Recorded and mixed by Sunnyside Studio, Boston & New York

Production Credits

Original Music and Lyrics: George Makredes
Producer and Arranger: Pericles Kanaris
Orchestrations and Sequencing: Pericles Kanaris
Conductor and Vocal Coach: Pericles Kanaris
Engineering and Mixing:
       Maurizio Tiella
       Pericles Kanaris
       Scott Martin
Additional Production: Maurizio Tiella

The Carolliers™

Corinne Carroll, Cassandra Chamallas, Carolyn Colovos, Anna Deliyiannis, Christina Farrell, Irini Fotopulos, Paula Kouletsis, Veronica Kounelas, Christian Makredes, Gary Makredes, Joanne Makredes, Maria Makredes, Constantine Miserlis, Margaret Mitropoulos, Elaine Papas, Anastasia Rigakis, Theodore Speros, Maria Louiza Tsafoulias, Maria Tsihlis, Christina Pagonis Vosnakis, Michael Vosnakis, Dorothy Zevitas

The Junior Singers

Jeanne Aggouras, Christina Demopoulos, Leah Farrell, Nicholas Farrell, Venetia Fotopulos, Leanna Kakambouras, Nancy Sofronas and Nicole Van Kuilenburg

Musicians

Keyboards, Guitar: Pericles Kanaris
Bouzouki: Charles Makredes
Flute: Allison Weitzman
Cello: Irina Chirkova
Oboe: Jaleen Hall

Acknowledgments

First and foremost I humbly thank the Lord for granting me the lyrics and melodies of the ten original compositions, and for the privilege to have my name appear alongside each of them as composer. My immeasurable love and heartfelt gratitude cannot be expressed enough through words to my dear wife Leona for her support, inspiration and dedication as collaborator, consultant and longtime loyal audition audience of one. Leona, this recording would never have been as it is without your caring and inspiration.

Much credit is due our fine Arranger and Producer, Mr. Pericles Kanaris. His professionalism and steadfastness to achieve the highest standards brought out the best in everyone else. Pericles' coaching of vocals, choral conducting, orchestrations, sequencing, engineering, mixing and musical accompaniment attest to a remarkable range of talents. His arrangements encompass the feelings of joy, optimism and even the pensive, albeit hope-filled, moods of Christmas.

Retaining the services of noted engineer, Maurizio Tiella, for this recording was significant. Professionally, Maurizio's resume lists some very well-known artists and labels in the music industry. In this project he took on the duties of recording engineer, assistant producer and managed much of the mixing work.

Many thanks go to recording engineer, Scott Martin: Scott's depth of experience and personal skills provided an atmosphere of reliability and confidence to each session. Every take flowed seamlessly, with never a glitch from an otherwise intimidating array of control boards, monitor screens, processors and the like.

To the Artists, The Carolliers™: Our profound gratefulness and appreciation for your talents and cheerful enthusiasm throughout every phase of this process, including the many rehearsals! Your voices impart a truly special meaning to this music. Thanks also to our superb soloists: Anna Deliyiannis, Joanne Makredes and Maria Louiza Tsafoulias, for their performances. May all of these voices resound for many Christmas seasons to come!

To the Musicians: Sincere thanks to Charles Makredes for his excellent bouzouki work in Christmas Spirit and to Pericles Kanaris for extraordinary guitar and keyboard performances. Thanks also to accomplished studio musicians: Namely, Allison Weitzman on flute, Jaleen Hall on oboe and Irina Chirkova on cello.

To the St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church of Arlington, Massachusetts, and its Board of Directors, Leona and I extend our sincere appreciation for your moral support of our annual production of The Carolliers™ Christmas Concert program and to Rev. Dr. Nicholas M. Kastanas, our warmest gratitude for your counsel, support and valued friendship.

George Makredes