"Aurum, aurum!" is dedicated to Asira Shukuru. It is a musical search for the meaning of Gold, a choral exploration of our human relationship to this precious metal. In Latin and English. As always, comments are most welcomed. Sincere thanks to Matt...  more"Aurum, aurum!" is dedicated to Asira Shukuru. It is a musical search for the meaning of Gold, a choral exploration of our human relationship to this precious metal. In Latin and English. As always, comments are most welcomed. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choraltracks.com) for recording "Aurum, aurum!" Email me at rain@magma.ca, if you'd like more info, or to obtain a copy of the score. I would like to acknowledge the a cappella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 26 years. I would also like to thank my friends in our "Ad hoc Chorale" for testing out this piece in one of our informal workshops and offering valuable comments. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey.  less

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Last week I wrote about men and women singing the same not together and How that might feel strange: Singing the same note – differently!.   ...

"Jean's" performing at the Riva Del Garda choir Competition, 2009. Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" and a Hebrew translation (Kobi Lurie) of "Java Jive" Called "Kafe BeKef".

Spinnaker Chorus is a modern, vibrant and friendly group of women with music in our hearts. We sing a-cappella style music in four-part harmony, Called Barbershop. The songs we sing are varied, some old classics, some modern with a twist! In an effort ...  moreSpinnaker Chorus is a modern, vibrant and friendly group of women with music in our hearts. We sing a-cappella style music in four-part harmony, Called Barbershop. The songs we sing are varied, some old classics, some modern with a twist! In an effort to stay committed to singing and performing at the highest possible level, we compete each year in a national contest and we also perform our own annual SHow to raise our profile in the community. Check us out on Facebook and Youtube! We Can be seen and heard throughout the year, performing for major corporations, civic and charitable organizations, private groups, churches, community events, and fundraisers. To find out more information about How we Can perform at your next event, please contact us at "info@spinnakerchorus.co.uk". If you would like to hear us or you are interested in joining our chorus, please get in touch - you will be made most welcome. The chorus is based near Portsmouth, Hampshire. We practise every Wednesday at 7.30pm - 10pm....    less

The Mansfield University Concert Choir at the 2012 World Choir Games in their Gold Medal winning performance in the Folklore Competition.

This video was shot at our gig at the local mall on 31.08.12. The song is "Another Night" by a famous Israeli funk band Called "Hadorbanim". Quinta & a Half members: Inbal Ceder and Yarden Cohen - Soprano Ayala Fossfeld - Alto Matan Kaufman & Doron B...  moreThis video was shot at our gig at the local mall on 31.08.12. The song is "Another Night" by a famous Israeli funk band Called "Hadorbanim". Quinta & a Half members: Inbal Ceder and Yarden Cohen - Soprano Ayala Fossfeld - Alto Matan Kaufman & Doron Ben Ami - Tenor (and Solo) Oz Weiss - Bass & Beatbox Arrangement by Doron Ben-Ami  

When I was a junior in college, my mother was fighting breast Cancer and my way of coping with it was to write a choral piece for her. I wrote “Pour Toi, Mère” (For You, Mother) which premiered at my senior composition recital. A few years later, Kevin F...  moreWhen I was a junior in college, my mother was fighting breast Cancer and my way of coping with it was to write a choral piece for her. I wrote “Pour Toi, Mère” (For You, Mother) which premiered at my senior composition recital. A few years later, Kevin Fenton programmed that piece for his choir at FSU. He shared with me his strong connection with the piece at a time when his sister-in-law, Peggy Fenton was also fighting breast Cancer. Sadly, Peggy Fenton lost her fight with Cancer in 2009. That same year Kevin contacted me and asked if I would write a piece in her memory for her husband and her two daughters. He shared with me a video of a presentation she did at the Mother’s Day banquet at her church, just a few days before her passing. The title of her presentation was “From Hats to Crown”. She shared stories about her life and the many relationship roles one plays: as a daughter, a sister, as a wife, a mother and a teacher. As she talked about each role she wore a different hat. She ended with a crown, shar...    less

Media Vita by Kerensa Briggs is included on Voices of Concinnity's debut album on Navona Records label Called "Awaiting Golden Light"

We are a community-based choir composed of children between ages 8 to 16 years old. The choir recently won the Gold medal for Folklore category and Silver Medal for Children's category in the 6th Grand Prix Pattaya International Choir Competition last Jul...  moreWe are a community-based choir composed of children between ages 8 to 16 years old. The choir recently won the Gold medal for Folklore category and Silver Medal for Children's category in the 6th Grand Prix Pattaya International Choir Competition last July 25 - 27, 2013 in Pattaya, Thailand.  

[The views expressed in this blog are From my personal experiences From 25 years of leading non-auditioned community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs From traditions across th...