[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   the Choirs and workshops that I lead are run on the principle that Music should be accessible to all. This means that I don’t use written Music to te...

the second piece in Samuel Barber's Reincarnations, Op. 16 Anthony O’Daly was a member of the Whiteboys, a group that resisted encroachments on peasants’ rights to their land with a mixture of rent strikes and violence. In 1820, Daly was wrongfully acc...  morethe second piece in Samuel Barber's Reincarnations, Op. 16 Anthony O’Daly was a member of the Whiteboys, a group that resisted encroachments on peasants’ rights to their land with a mixture of rent strikes and violence. In 1820, Daly was wrongfully accused of shooting at a local landowner and condemned to hang. Although the local population acclaimed him as a hero and attempted to help him escape the gallows, he went quietly to his death. "Anthony! Since your limbs were laid out, the stars do not shine! the fish leap, not out in the waves! On our meadows, the dew does not fall in the morn, for O’Daly is dead!" Barber’s song feels like a huge public outpouring of grief. It begins with the basses repeating Anthony’s name on a drone whilst the upper voices sing a keening melody, and the piece builds to hysteria as the sopranos and altos take over the chanted name. there are also suggestions that Raftery’s poem is not a lament but a traditional poet’s curse, calling down retribution in response to Raftery’s...    less

Tragic and heroic film score where the haunting chants of a monk's Choir intertwine with driving strings and percussion, capturing the bittersweet essence of valor and sacrifice.

the New Jersey Chamber Singers (NJCS) perform Stars by Eriks Esenvalds www.njChambersingers.org Artistic Director Reid Masters recording engineer John Baker Alone in the night on a dark hill with pines around me, spicy and still and heaven, a he...  morethe New Jersey Chamber Singers (NJCS) perform Stars by Eriks Esenvalds www.njChambersingers.org Artistic Director Reid Masters recording engineer John Baker Alone in the night on a dark hill with pines around me, spicy and still and heaven, a heaven full of stars over my head white and topaz and misty red myriads with beating hearts of fire the aeons cannot vex or tire... Ah, the dome of heaven like a great hill and myriads with beating hearts of fire Heaven full of stars... I know I am honored to be witness of so much majesty... Recorded at St Pio of Pietrelcina Roman Catholic Church, 103 Washington Ave, Lavallette, NJ 08735-2351 Copyright 2014 New Jersey Chamber Singers  less

Barlow Bradford's Utah Chamber Artists perform "O Sacrum Convivium" by Vytautas Miškinis at their 2011 Collage Concert "Chant & Contemplation" at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. the song is preceded by a chant from the liber usualis. ...  moreBarlow Bradford's Utah Chamber Artists perform "O Sacrum Convivium" by Vytautas Miškinis at their 2011 Collage Concert "Chant & Contemplation" at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. the song is preceded by a chant from the liber usualis. O sacred banquet, wherein Christ is received; the memorial of his passion is renewed; the soul is filled with grace; and a pledge of future glory is given to us. (Alleluia)  

Short excerpts from Ola Gjeilo's 32 min. 'Sunrise Mass' for Choir and string orchestra (score and parts now available on demand from Walton Music/full recording available on iTunes), accompanied by beautiful images related to the themes of each movement: ...  moreShort excerpts from Ola Gjeilo's 32 min. 'Sunrise Mass' for Choir and string orchestra (score and parts now available on demand from Walton Music/full recording available on iTunes), accompanied by beautiful images related to the themes of each movement: 1. the Spheres (Kyrie) 2. Sunrise (Gloria) 3. the City (Credo) 4. Identity & the Ground (Sanctus & Agnus Dei) Video by 2 Chairs Design Photo by Anette Kvikstad, Thomas H. Barber, iStockphoto.com Performed by Majorstua Chamber Choir, NOVA, 24 strings and Tore Erik Mohn, cond. (from live premiere)  less

the Elmer Iseler Singers, conducted by Artistic Director Lydia Adams, is a 20-voice professional Chamber Choir based in Toronto, Canada. Founded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, it is one of Canada’s most illustrious professional choral ensembles. Th...  morethe Elmer Iseler Singers, conducted by Artistic Director Lydia Adams, is a 20-voice professional Chamber Choir based in Toronto, Canada. Founded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, it is one of Canada’s most illustrious professional choral ensembles. the Choir has built an enviable international reputation through its concerts, broadcasts and more than 50 recordings. Known for its unique beauty of sound, the Elmer Iseler Singers bring to life an exciting repertoire that spans 500 years of great choral Music. the Choir regularly commissions and performs new works, and is featured at national and international festivals. the Singers are highly valued for their contributions to master classes and educational leadership workshops for schools and community Choirs. From 1997 to 2007 the EIS was the professional Choir-In-Residence through the Elmer Iseler Chair at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music. for three decades, the organization has been a leader in excellence of choral singing, in creation and per...    less

Barlow Bradford's Utah Chamber Artists perform "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre at their autumn concert September, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photographs by Dallas Graham from UCA's 2008 European Tour.

Quire Voices is a new semi-professional standard mixed Chamber Choir of around 36 singers, based in Windsor. Entry by audition. Rehearsals are fortnightly on Sunday evenings. Currently performing 4 concerts per year, all proceeds from Quire Voices conc...  moreQuire Voices is a new semi-professional standard mixed Chamber Choir of around 36 singers, based in Windsor. Entry by audition. Rehearsals are fortnightly on Sunday evenings. Currently performing 4 concerts per year, all proceeds from Quire Voices concerts go to a different selected charity for each event. Charities for 2011 are: the Royal British Legion, Tommy's Charity.  

Thomas Rossin conducts Jeffery Van's setting of Silent Night, Jake Rowan, Guitar.