Psalm 23 is dedicated to my aunt Patricia Shaw of Vancouver, as this is her favourite Psalm. Two points of note: First, the composition grew out of the feeling that all 4 voices should start on the same note, grow outwards and then come back to that...  morePsalm 23 is dedicated to my aunt Patricia Shaw of Vancouver, as this is her favourite Psalm. Two points of note: First, the composition grew out of the feeling that all 4 voices should start on the same note, grow outwards and then come back to that same note at the end. The rest just seemed to evolve on its own, seemingly guided by some external force. Second, unusually, I have asked choirs (where possible) to sing this without any breaks, via staggered breathing, as I wanted to highlight the deep conviction underlying the words of the Psalm, as one single thread of deep belief that moves from beginning to end. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (ChoralTracks.com) for recording "Psalm 23." As always, comments are welcomed. Email me at rain@magma.ca, if you'd like more info. 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 ...    less

"Stella" is dedicated to my friend Kristina, who introduced me to this remarkable French poem by Victor Hugo written while in exile on the Isle of Jersey. It is a complex layered poem exploring a multitude of interactions with the morning star - in na...  more"Stella" is dedicated to my friend Kristina, who introduced me to this remarkable French poem by Victor Hugo written while in exile on the Isle of Jersey. It is a complex layered poem exploring a multitude of interactions with the morning star - in naturalistic, religious, spiritual and seemingly political terms. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (ChoralTracks.com) for recording "Stella." To purchase the sheet music for this song, please contact: info@leadingnote.com. 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

Devon folk song arranged for mixed choir The words of the song can be found in many places on the Net, some more accurate than others. All of the places are in Devon, except Callington, which is in Cornwall, but it is likely to be the correct place sin...  moreDevon folk song arranged for mixed choir The words of the song can be found in many places on the Net, some more accurate than others. All of the places are in Devon, except Callington, which is in Cornwall, but it is likely to be the correct place since it is so close to the centre of the events - ie towns and villages North and West of Dartmoor. (The Yetties' version of the song refers to "North Looe", but this is very unlikely to be correct, since Looe is much further into Cornwall). In this the version I finally decided upon "North Lew" (a compromise between Quoditch's version and the Yetties' version):  less

An exciting rendition of the "Cantate Domino" Latin text by Ivo Antognini. This setting explores rhythm and texture as it weaves through various time signatures. Would make a fantastic concert opener! Andrew Crane Choral Series. Matthew Curtis (ChoralTr...  moreAn exciting rendition of the "Cantate Domino" Latin text by Ivo Antognini. This setting explores rhythm and texture as it weaves through various time signatures. Would make a fantastic concert opener! Andrew Crane Choral Series. Matthew Curtis (ChoralTracks) sings all the voices. Published by Walton Music - A division of GIA Publications, Inc.  

My musical re-imagining of the Nativity story, with a surprise in the 2nd verse. Dedicated to my dear cousin, Madeleine Shaw. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact The Leading Note at info@leadingnote.com. I would lik...  moreMy musical re-imagining of the Nativity story, with a surprise in the 2nd verse. Dedicated to my dear cousin, Madeleine Shaw. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact The Leading Note at info@leadingnote.com. I would like to acknowledge the a capella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 25 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

"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

Slumber Songs (3 Canadian Nocturnes, movement I) text: John McCrae music: Nathaniel Barnes singer: Matthew Curtis I Sleep, little eyes That brim with childish tears amid thy play, Be comforted! No grief of night can weigh Against the joys that...  moreSlumber Songs (3 Canadian Nocturnes, movement I) text: John McCrae music: Nathaniel Barnes singer: Matthew Curtis I Sleep, little eyes That brim with childish tears amid thy play, Be comforted! No grief of night can weigh Against the joys that throng thy coming day. Sleep, little heart! There is no place in Slumberland for tears: Life soon enough will bring its chilling fears And sorrows that will dim the after years. Sleep, little heart! II Ah, little eyes Dead blossoms of a springtime long ago, That life's storm crushed and left to lie below The benediction of the falling snow! Sleep, little heart That ceased so long ago its frantic beat! The years that come and go with silent feet Have naught to tell save this — that rest is sweet. Sleep, little heart. http://www.choirplace.com/profile/Nathaniel Matthew Curtis https://ChoralTracks.com/  less

Dedicated to Awegechew Teshome, Melaku Worede and John Martin -- my three biodiversity mentors -- who introduced me to the "radical" idea that farmers, seed-saving farmers, have been humanity's ingenious plant breeders and nurturers of biodiversity from t...  moreDedicated to Awegechew Teshome, Melaku Worede and John Martin -- my three biodiversity mentors -- who introduced me to the "radical" idea that farmers, seed-saving farmers, have been humanity's ingenious plant breeders and nurturers of biodiversity from time immemorial. I would like to thank my Ottawa singing friends in the "Ad hoc Chorale" for testing out this piece in one of our informal workshops and offering valuable comments. I would also like to acknowledge the a capella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 27 years. And I would like to acknowledge the Boston-based Blue Heron Ensemble for introducing me to the haunting music of Guillaume Dufay, which served as a major inspiration for this piece. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact me ...    less

An SATB arrangement of Victor Hugo's remarkable poem "La coccinelle" -- the narrator looks back on a moment in time when, as a teenager, he was preparing to kiss a girl. Unfortunately, a ladybug lands on her neck, however, which distracts him. He then rem...  moreAn SATB arrangement of Victor Hugo's remarkable poem "La coccinelle" -- the narrator looks back on a moment in time when, as a teenager, he was preparing to kiss a girl. Unfortunately, a ladybug lands on her neck, however, which distracts him. He then removes the ladybug, but sadly the kiss flies off forever! If you enjoy this musical trip down memory lane, then I invite you to consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada or an Alzheimer's support group in the area where you live. Thank you! https://alzheimer.ca/ Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (ChoralTracks.com) for recording "La coccinelle", which is dedicated to Emma. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact me at rain@magma.ca. 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. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their inval...    less

Dedicated to my dear cousins Gigi and Raven. Since first singing the medieval song "All and Some" in the mid 1990s, I fell in love with the Middle English and Latin lyrics, and one day I got inspired to create my own setting of this poetic gem. NB: ...  moreDedicated to my dear cousins Gigi and Raven. Since first singing the medieval song "All and Some" in the mid 1990s, I fell in love with the Middle English and Latin lyrics, and one day I got inspired to create my own setting of this poetic gem. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact The Leading Note at info@leadingnote.com. 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 25 years. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey.  less