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

"The Tyger" is dedicated to my daughter, Salima Rain, who asked me if I might try setting this remarkable William Blake poem to music, a daunting thought, to say the least. But I took on the challenge and here is the result. As always, comments are ...  more"The Tyger" is dedicated to my daughter, Salima Rain, who asked me if I might try setting this remarkable William Blake poem to music, a daunting thought, to say the least. But I took on the challenge and here is the result. As always, comments are most 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. and with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey.  less

Sweet Kate, of late Ran away and left me 'plaining: “Abide,” I cried, “Or I die with thy disdaining.” “Tee! hee! hee!” quoth she, “Gladly would I see, Any man to die with loving. Never any yet, Died of such a fit, Neither have I fear of proving.”...  moreSweet Kate, of late Ran away and left me 'plaining: “Abide,” I cried, “Or I die with thy disdaining.” “Tee! hee! hee!” quoth she, “Gladly would I see, Any man to die with loving. Never any yet, Died of such a fit, Neither have I fear of proving.” “Unkind, I find Thy delight is in tormenting, Abide,” I cried, “Or I die with thy consenting.” “Tee! hee! hee!” quoth she, “Make no fool of me, Men I know have oaths at pleasure; But their hopes attained, They belay they feigned, and their oaths are kept at leisure.”  less

THERE IS NO ROSE by Joshua B. Himes. Directed by Gregory Cleveland. SERENADE performs at the MSVMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival, March 22, 2014.

Fulco's Mannenkoor 4 mei herdenking 2018 Basiliek - IJsselstein Video: Bernard Brosi Pianist-Marjan Fey Dirigent-Michel de Valk

Improved version - This satirical little frottola by Josquin is believed to be a gentle reminder to his patron Galeazzo Sforza that his musicians need paying. Josquin may be punning on the name of a fellow impecunious musician (Frillo) by calling him a...  moreImproved version - This satirical little frottola by Josquin is believed to be a gentle reminder to his patron Galeazzo Sforza that his musicians need paying. Josquin may be punning on the name of a fellow impecunious musician (Frillo) by calling him a cricket (Grillo). This performance is by the dwsChorale (David Solomons) It can be downloaded at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dwschorale3  

Motet by Thomas Tomkins - one of the greatest emotional expressions of the late Renaissance. Absalom, son of King David, was a handsome prince and considered by some to be worthy of the throne of Israel, even before David's death. One day, as Absalom w...  moreMotet by Thomas Tomkins - one of the greatest emotional expressions of the late Renaissance. Absalom, son of King David, was a handsome prince and considered by some to be worthy of the throne of Israel, even before David's death. One day, as Absalom went riding, a tree's branches caught his luxuriant hair and he hung there helpless. He was slain by his enemies. King David was inconsolable. Performed by the dwsChorale, a multitracking one-man choir  

A setting of the poem Early Summer by Australian poet Charles Harpur (1813 - 1868). 22 February 2013. www.sherelleeyles.com

Newest album available here: http://bit.ly/14ML08t The namesake of the Victoria Scholars, Tomás Luis de Victoria, was an outstanding composer of the Renaissance period whose music is re...  moreNewest album available here: http://bit.ly/14ML08t The namesake of the Victoria Scholars, Tomás Luis de Victoria, was an outstanding composer of the Renaissance period whose music is renowned for both its spirituality and emotional expressiveness. The essence of the Victoria Scholars’ music is an emphasis on the clarity and balance of sound so characteristic of Renaissance music. Their repertoire encompasses medieval plainchant, works from the Baroque, classical and Romantic eras, contemporary and newly commissioned works. Past winners of the Canada Council Healey Willan Grand Prize in the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur choirs, the Victoria Scholars have performed with many of Canada’s exceptional vocal soloists, and have toured both in eastern and western Canada. They have produced three widely acclaimed recordings and have been broadcast nationally on CBC Radio and Vision TV, most recently in a Christmas special available at <...    less

This is a setting of a poem by The Reverend Doctor Malcolm Guite, Chaplain of Girton College Cambridge,with his permission. The poem is a response to the 8th "O Antiphon" for Advent O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? for neither before thee was an...  moreThis is a setting of a poem by The Reverend Doctor Malcolm Guite, Chaplain of Girton College Cambridge,with his permission. The poem is a response to the 8th "O Antiphon" for Advent O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? for neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? The thing which ye behold is a divine mystery. Who are the daughters of Jerusalem, Who glimpse you still as you transform their seeing? Whom have you called to this mysterium, and bathed in the blithe fountain of your being? Daughters of sorrow, daughters of despair, The cast-aside, the overlooked, the spurned The broken girls who scarcely breathe a prayer The ones whose love has never been returned. O Maid amongst the maidens, turn your face, for when we glimpse you we are not alone, O look us out of grief and into grace, Lift us in love made stronger than our own, Summon the spring in our worst wilderness, and make us fruitful in your fruitfulness.  less