Westminster has joined with six Princeton ensembles for A Princeton Christmas: For the Children of Africa

The Westminster Choir and the Westminster Concert Bell Choir have joined with six Princeton ensembles for "A Princeton Christmas: For the Children of Africa,” a recording released in November to raise funds for the School Feeding campaign of the United Nations World Food Program in Africa.

Tom Meagher, a Princeton-area resident and moving force behind “A Princeton Christmas,” said the effort “quickly went from idea to album because every school we approached believes in the mission and could not wait to participate.” The 20-song collection was produced in conjunction with the U.S.-based Friends of the World Food Program (www.friendsofwfp.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to building support for the WFP (http://www.wfp.org).

“All proceeds from the purchase of downloads, from the website and through other sites including iTunes, or CDs will go directly to the children of Africa through the WFP,” explained Meagher. “We fully expect this to be the beginning of a new and lasting holiday tradition.” He added, “The $30 purchase of this incredible one-hour album will feed one African child for nearly three months."

The recording features the Westminster Choir, conducted by Joe Miller, performing Ralph Johnson’s The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem and the Westminster Concert Bell Choir performing an arrangement of Marche from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.  In addition to the Westminster ensembles, the compilation includes signature selections donated by The American Boychoir, The Princeton Girlchoir, Chapel Choir of Princeton University, The Tartantones of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, The Princeton Day School Choir Madrigal Singers and The Princeton High School Choir.

"We are proud to team up with the Princeton community in this timely and inspired effort to help feed the children of Africa," said Karen Sendelback, President and CEO of Friends of the World Food Program.  She added, "We are delighted that every donation from A Princeton Christmas will directly support the fight against childhood hunger in Africa."

For more information, visit www.princetonchristmas.org.