Tuesday, January 20, 2026

I'll Have A Killian's Red

I pulled this record out of the collection because it looked like something interesting. The name on the cover kept tickling a memory and it took a while to place it but I finally made the connection and the entry at Discogs seems to confirm it. This children's chorus seems to be the same one that Andre Kostelanetz used on his 1965 Christmas LP, Wishing You A Merry Christmas. Not entirely sure when this recording was made, but I suspect it was prior to the Kostelanetz record. And it's on pretty red vinyl, so there's no way you can pass it up. This is St. Kilian Boychoir-Christmas (Gregorian Institute Of America CA-3 (Red Translucent Vinyl), Mono).

1. O Come All Ye Faithful
2. Ding Dong, Merrily On High
3. While Watching O'er Their Flocks
4. Pat-A-Pan
5. The Morning Star
6. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
7. Silent Night
8. O Tannenbaum
9. Joy To The World
10. Noel, Let Us Sing
11. The Happy Song (La Chanson Joyeuse)
12. In Dulci Jubilo
13. The Little Drummer Boy
14. Jingle Bells
15. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

MEGA

Posted by Ernie at 1/20/2026 08:00:00 AM

6 comments:

  1. BusterTuesday, January 20, 2026 11:34:00 AM

    This one interested me because I have heard of the Gregorian Institute, but couldn't remember why. Here is the background, courtesy Wikipedia:

    GIA Publications, Inc. is a major publisher of hymnals, other sacred music, and music education materials that is currently located in Chicago. The organization was initially the publishing arm of the Gregorian Institute of America (1941–1965); a school affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church that was initially established in Pittsburgh but operated for the majority of its history in Toledo, Ohio. The school specialized in training choral conductors in the methods of teaching choirs to sing Gregorian chant. After the school's closure following the Second Vatican Council, the publishing part of the school was sold to the Harris family.

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    Replies
    1. ErnieTuesday, January 20, 2026 12:32:00 PM

      I had never heard of the Gregorian Institute, but now I know. If they closed up shop in '65, that means this record had to come out before the Kosti record that same year. I figured the Andre Kostelanetz connection would be the big draw here, but I never know.

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    2. JonathanTuesday, January 20, 2026 7:24:00 PM

      Oh my, quite interesting. I will definetly have to give it a listen :) and see how similar the two albums are.

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    3. ErnieTuesday, January 20, 2026 8:21:00 PM

      Well, the thing about kiddie choirs is that the kids age out and move on, so I don't think they ever sound the same way twice. And even if you want to credit the musical director, I bet Kostelanetz did what he wanted with the group. But maybe you'll hear the spark that inspired Kosti to hire them.

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  2. BryanThursday, January 22, 2026 3:47:00 PM

    Well Ernie, this is a top favorite of mine from start to finish. If I had to give it a rating, I would say they are a 9 out of 10?
    But then, no one can beat the most impressiveBoys Choir of them all, The Vienna Boys' Choir. My rating for them are an 11 out of 10.
    Every other Boys Choir is just hoping to be as could as they are.

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