Chant commun de la Maîtrise d'Antony et du Chœur d'Enfants Amazing Grace interprété le 25 janvier 2014. Prière de François d'Assise. Partition réalisée à l'occasion de la Cérémonie de la Paix du 13 juillet 2014 qui rassemblera 5000 Petits Chanteurs venus ...  moreChant commun de la Maîtrise d'Antony et du Chœur d'Enfants Amazing Grace interprété le 25 janvier 2014. Prière de François d'Assise. Partition réalisée à l'occasion de la Cérémonie de la Paix du 13 juillet 2014 qui rassemblera 5000 Petits Chanteurs venus du monde entier. "Seigneur, fais de moi un instrument de ta paix, Là où est la haine, que je mette l'amour. Là où est l'offense, que je mette le pardon...." http://puericantores-paris2014.com/  

“Heiliger Dankgesang,” is my choral adaptation of the 3rd movement of Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 132. Dedicated to Nicol Matt and the World Choir for Peace. I invite you to join me in supporting their fundraising campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/w...  more“Heiliger Dankgesang,” is my choral adaptation of the 3rd movement of Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 132. Dedicated to Nicol Matt and the World Choir for Peace. I invite you to join me in supporting their fundraising campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/world-choir-for-peace-singing-unites? Lyrics (adapted from Psalm 116): German: “Liebe erfüllt mich, weil mein Gott die Stimme meines Flehens erhört hat. Kehre zurück, meine Seele, in deine Ruh: denn mein Gott hat dir wohlgethan. Liebe erfüllt mich. O Freude, O Wonne, Die Sonne! O Freude, das ich am Leben bin. Liebe erfüllt mich.” English translation: “I am filled with love, for my God has heard the voice of my supplication. Return, my soul, to your rest: for my God has made you well. I am filled with love. O Joy, O Bliss, the Sun! O Joy that I am alive. I am filled with love.” Background: In July 2019, I went to one of Julian Armour’s Music and Beyond concerts in Ottawa, where I first heard the Bennewitz Quartet play Beethoven’s stunningly beautif...    less

Singin' in the Rain by Herb Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed, arr. Ken Cormier Performed at Reeldiculous (June 18 & 25, 2012) by Chor Leoni Men's Choir, Diane Loomer, Artistic Director (1940-2012). Soloist: Russell Cripps Choreography by Kevin Fatkin. Wa...  moreSingin' in the Rain by Herb Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed, arr. Ken Cormier Performed at Reeldiculous (June 18 & 25, 2012) by Chor Leoni Men's Choir, Diane Loomer, Artistic Director (1940-2012). Soloist: Russell Cripps Choreography by Kevin Fatkin. Watch for our Best of Bard shows coming June 24 & July 1, 2013. Tickets available now at Bard on the Beach 604.739.0559 http://bit.ly/BardBoxOffice  

This Chant, harmonized beautifully by Swedish composer Oswald Jaeggi, was recorded in November of 2019 before the pandemic. It is a reminder of the peace that prayer and beauty can provide. Mater Dei, ora pro nobis! Translation RefRain: Hail, Mother o...  moreThis Chant, harmonized beautifully by Swedish composer Oswald Jaeggi, was recorded in November of 2019 before the pandemic. It is a reminder of the peace that prayer and beauty can provide. Mater Dei, ora pro nobis! Translation RefRain: Hail, Mother of mercy, Mother of God, and Mother of pardon, Mother of hope, and Mother of grace, Mother full of holy joy, O Mary! 1. Hail, honor of mankind; hail, Virgin worthier than others, who surpass all virgins and in heaven occupy the highest seat of honor, O Mary! 2. Hail, happy child-bearing Mother, for He Who sits at the right hand of the Father, ruling heaven, earth, and sky, didst enclose Himself within Thy womb, O Mary!  less

Video vom Auftritt der vocal resources am 10.05.14 in Bad Herrenalb. http://www.vocal-resources.de/

1° Grand Prix di Musica Corale - Saint Vincent - Valle d'Aosta - 22/24 Settembre 2011 Fase finale, riservata ai primi tre cori classificati durante le fasi eliminatorie. www.complessovocalenuoro.it

"Let's sing, it's Spring!" is dedicated to my uncle and aunt, James and Daphne Shaw, and their amazing clan, the "Bowen Island Shaws." I have given this song the sub-title: "A Crazy Choral Etude for Rolled Rs and Perfect 5ths." It is meant, no pun inte...  more"Let's sing, it's Spring!" is dedicated to my uncle and aunt, James and Daphne Shaw, and their amazing clan, the "Bowen Island Shaws." I have given this song the sub-title: "A Crazy Choral Etude for Rolled Rs and Perfect 5ths." It is meant, no pun intended, to be a musical lark, great fun for a choir to sing, rolling Rs like crazy, with no holding back. NB: One day I woke up to the realization that I had independently written four choral works, each of which had evoked a different season, and so it seemed natural to group them together into a choral suite that I have called "The Ottawa Four Seasons Suite." "Let's sing, it's Spring!", with its rousing coda section, works perfectly as the closing number of this suite. Also of note, in early 2018, I applied to be a participant at one of the Vancouver Chamber Choir's Interplay workshops funded by the SOCAN Foundation and to my delight I was accepted. "Let's sing, it's Spring!" was one of the pieces that this amazing choir sight read for me on the sp...    less

This brand new version of Good King Wenceslas is dedicated to my uncle Duncan Shaw of Vancouver. His "retirement project" - developing his own theory of gravity - has been a huge inspiration in my own compositional journey late in life. Some background...  moreThis brand new version of Good King Wenceslas is dedicated to my uncle Duncan Shaw of Vancouver. His "retirement project" - developing his own theory of gravity - has been a huge inspiration in my own compositional journey late in life. Some background: I have sung the traditional version of Good King Wenceslas since I was a kid. I fell in love with the lyrics and the story, but have always been puzzled by the way it was arranged, in particular the way that the "las" of Wenceslas lands on the downbeat. When I was young, I thought the lyrics were actually "Good King Wences last looked out!" All to say that I got inspired to create a totally different version. I used the 19th century poem by John Mason Neale, but I wanted to create a different "feel" to the story, to take it back in time to its origins in the Middle Ages - hence the medieval feel to much of the piece. I also felt that since the Wenceslas story is all about a journey, a setting in 3/4 time would create a better sense of that feeling, ra...    less

World premiere recording, by a brand new singing group: Quartetto al Volo! If you like this song, I invite you to donate to the work of OCISO (Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization) and their support programs for refugees and immigrants to Cana...  moreWorld premiere recording, by a brand new singing group: Quartetto al Volo! If you like this song, I invite you to donate to the work of OCISO (Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization) and their support programs for refugees and immigrants to Canada: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ociso-ottawa-community-immigrant-services-organization/ Background. In the 1970s I visited Poland twice and fell in love with Polish choral music -- and Lulajże Jezuniu became one of my favourite Christmas carols in any language. While flying from Ottawa to Vancouver in December 2017, I felt inspired and arranged most of this piece while at 30,000 feet! I must have been quite a sight conducting away in my aisle seat, with my head phones plugged into my computer. I have dedicated Lulajże Jezuniu to the late Adam and Helena Kmiotek, who showed me such generosity of spirit as my hosts in Szczecin during my second Polish trip. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the TTBB score can contact me at Rain...    less

I have dedicated this song to health care workers and other courageous COVID-19 workers around the world. THANK YOU! "Where then could pain find a hold?" is a musical plea for reconciliation addressed to those (individuals, groups, nations) who find t...  moreI have dedicated this song to health care workers and other courageous COVID-19 workers around the world. THANK YOU! "Where then could pain find a hold?" is a musical plea for reconciliation addressed to those (individuals, groups, nations) who find themselves in conflict. I would like to acknowledge pianist Fred Hersch whose magical playing of Billy Joel's "And so it goes" in the middle of an Ottawa winter inspired me to start working on this piece. 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 cappella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 27 years. 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 conta...    less