The third of three settings of text from the Odes of Solomon. The Odes of Solomon are believed to have been written around the year 100 A.D., and include strong parallels to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Scholars have debated whether the Odes should be consid...  moreThe third of three settings of text from the Odes of Solomon. The Odes of Solomon are believed to have been written around the year 100 A.D., and include strong parallels to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Scholars have debated whether the Odes should be considered Jewish, Christian or Gnostic, and whether they were first written in Greek, Hebrew or Syriac. Early Christian writings refer to and quote from them. A Syriac manuscript containing the text of most of the Odes was discovered in 1909 by the English scholar J. Rendel Harris, and other partial texts in various languages have also been found. There are 42 Odes. Some fragments are still missing from Odes I and III, and no part of Ode II has yet been found. For these choral settings, I selected text from four of the Odes of Solomon which I found particularly compelling. The anonymous translation I have used comes from The Gnostic Society Library.  less

Our newest album available here: http://bit.ly/14ML08t from the Victoria Scholars' concert "Sea Fever", June 3, 2012. Featuring Baritone Stephen Hegedus, pianist William O'Meara, directed by Dr. Jerzy Cichocki, performed in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, ...  moreOur newest album available here: http://bit.ly/14ML08t from the Victoria Scholars' concert "Sea Fever", June 3, 2012. Featuring Baritone Stephen Hegedus, pianist William O'Meara, directed by Dr. Jerzy Cichocki, performed in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Toronto. For more information on the ensemble and for news about our upcoming concerts, please visit http://www.victoriascholars.ca/.  

The St Paul’s Community Choir has been singing for over 8 years. The choir is aimed for anyone, with any ability who wants to relax and have a good sing! They have sung a variety of genres from pop, rock, hymns, musicals, Sea shanties and much more! ...  moreThe St Paul’s Community Choir has been singing for over 8 years. The choir is aimed for anyone, with any ability who wants to relax and have a good sing! They have sung a variety of genres from pop, rock, hymns, musicals, Sea shanties and much more! Send us an email to stpauls-communitychoir@hotmail.com if you would like to join in and sing with us!  

Innismara, meaning "island in the Sea" in Irish Gaelic, is an autonomous vocal chamber ensemble that fills a gap in the rich tapestry of choral music in Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprised of professionally trained musicians, Innismara is dedicated to th...  moreInnismara, meaning "island in the Sea" in Irish Gaelic, is an autonomous vocal chamber ensemble that fills a gap in the rich tapestry of choral music in Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprised of professionally trained musicians, Innismara is dedicated to the performance of the intimate and hidden treasures of the vocal ensemble repertoire. Well-known for specializing in sacred and secular music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, Innismara also enjoys experimenting with contemporary, pop, jazz and spiritual arrangements as well as exploring the rich folk music of Newfoundland and Labrador.  less

Ocean of Illusions - Track 1 of the album "Songs of Sorrow" by Bill Heigen. More: www.billheigen.com Drowning Surrounded by a Sea of skyscrapers The numbers are my frowning Time takes away my breath Every minute I am drowning The view from u...  moreOcean of Illusions - Track 1 of the album "Songs of Sorrow" by Bill Heigen. More: www.billheigen.com Drowning Surrounded by a Sea of skyscrapers The numbers are my frowning Time takes away my breath Every minute I am drowning The view from up here is gorgeous But I cannot see any beauty All I see is an ocean of illusions In which greed makes life draggy Few people can realize That a smile is nothing more than teeth A hand-shake is nothing more than skin And on this ocean of illusions we keep going Because we need to feed our fears And give birth to more problems That should not exist. I wish I could be stronger I wish I could be brave I wish I could have wings to fly away But I am just a fish Swimming to survive Waiting for the moment to die.  less

Singing Jar of Hearts on 24 May 2015 at The Royals Shopping Centre, Southend-on-Sea in the UK.

Prima choir Bulgaria conductor - Aneta Dragneva-Danailova Prima choir has been founded in 1996 in the pretty Bulgarian town on the Black Sea coast – Pomorie, by 25 women, practicing versatile jobs, but united by one common love – the Music. The re...  morePrima choir Bulgaria conductor - Aneta Dragneva-Danailova Prima choir has been founded in 1996 in the pretty Bulgarian town on the Black Sea coast – Pomorie, by 25 women, practicing versatile jobs, but united by one common love – the Music. The repertoire includes works of different styles and epochs. The main part of the production is dedicated to the Church Slavonic music, variations of authentic Bulgarian folklore, and, in the same time, productions of modern Bulgarian authors. The vocal ensemble has set the ambitious task to reach a homogenous and beautiful sound, expressiveness and the right stylistic interpretation. “Prima” choir has delivered artistic tours in Sweden (1997), Poland (1997), Greece (2002), Portugal (2004), France (2006), Albania (2010), Greece(2013)… The formation has taken part in the Balkan Mountains fest in Veliko Tarnovo in 2001. The women from Pomorie were awarded the gold medals and released their first compact disc. The same year – 2001. came the invitation to participate in...    less

Innismara, meaning "island in the Sea" in Irish Gaelic, is an autonomous vocal chamber ensemble that fills a gap in the rich tapestry of choral music in Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprised of professionally trained musicians, Innismara is dedicated to th...  moreInnismara, meaning "island in the Sea" in Irish Gaelic, is an autonomous vocal chamber ensemble that fills a gap in the rich tapestry of choral music in Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprised of professionally trained musicians, Innismara is dedicated to the performance of the intimate and hidden treasures of the vocal ensemble repertoire. Well-known for specializing in sacred and secular music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, Innismara also enjoys experimenting with contemporary, pop, jazz and spiritual arrangements as well as exploring the rich folk music of Newfoundland and Labrador.  less

This work served as one of the 'water' Pieces for The Vocal Art Ensemble's 5th Anniversary "GODAI--Choral Music Summoning the Five Ancient Elements" concerts, alluding to the changing and sometimes playfully tumultuous properties of the Sea.

The Foundation World Youth Choir, all rights reserved Performer: World Youth Choir, 2012 session in Cyprus (61 singer from 34 countries) Piece: I Vrisi ton Peyiotisson, Cypriot encore Conductor: Cecilia Rydinger Alin, Sweden Recorded at the Sea Mu...  moreThe Foundation World Youth Choir, all rights reserved Performer: World Youth Choir, 2012 session in Cyprus (61 singer from 34 countries) Piece: I Vrisi ton Peyiotisson, Cypriot encore Conductor: Cecilia Rydinger Alin, Sweden Recorded at the Sea Museum, Ayia Napa, Cyprus 19.08.2012. Recording engineer: Tefkros Xydas, Cyprus (Organizing committee member) The World Youth Choir session 2012 was held in Cyprus from August 7th to September 1st, 2012 thanks to the cooperation between the Foundation World Youth Choir and the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation - Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, supported by the Ministry of culture and education - Cyprus presidency of the European Union (cultural events in 2012). The World Youth Choir had a chance to perform a cappella and vocal-instrumental repertoire touring Cyprus.  less