This is an arrangement of an Acadian folksong entitled “Marie Madeleine” (more commonly classified in the French-Canadian folksong repertoire as “Une petite vache noire”). This short, lively SATB piece is loads of fun and highlights the quintessential ...  moreThis is an arrangement of an Acadian folksong entitled “Marie Madeleine” (more commonly classified in the French-Canadian folksong repertoire as “Une petite vache noire”). This short, lively SATB piece is loads of fun and highlights the quintessential elements of the Acadian folksong tradition: podorythmie (seated foot-tapping), diddlage (mouth music), and the spoons. But, it also stretches the tradition to include more modern elements. Don’t be fooled by thinking this is just a simple folksong. It is a challenging and complex piece that reflects the innate musicality of this long-standing Canadian oral tradition. Though this folksong can be found in other parts of French Canada, I chose to feature the Acadian dialect in this rendition because it is emblematic of the role that language sometime plays in creating social inequity. Story synopsis: For those unfamiliar with the language, this video helps tell the song’s funny story of a young woman, Marie Madeleine, who has a rather difficult relationship w...    less

The stage lights fall, the crowd goes quiet, and four harmonious voices rise up and fill the air. The melodies unfurl into something both familiar and fresh. What comes next may be a classic song by Joni Mitchell or Louis Prima. It may be an old bebop st...  moreThe stage lights fall, the crowd goes quiet, and four harmonious voices rise up and fill the air. The melodies unfurl into something both familiar and fresh. What comes next may be a classic song by Joni Mitchell or Louis Prima. It may be an old bebop standard or cheeky arrangement of a 1980s hit. But these are arrangements like you’ve never heard them before—containing all the richness of a full band, but performed using just four voices. This is Cadence, Canada’s premiere vocal group. Based in Toronto, this a cappella ensemble has been wowing audiences across the country and around the world for nearly 15 years. Whether performing at sold-out jazz clubs and concert halls, at music festivals, for educational outreach, or for corporate functions, the members of Cadence bring an infectious energy and uncanny verve to every song they sing. The group’s four critically acclaimed studio albums, Cool Yule (2011), Speak Easy (2010), Twenty for One (2005), and Frost Free (2000) have won or been nominated for nume...    less

    Update - Auditions closed for the season -- thanks to all who came out!    Searching for just the right choir? Do you sing bass or tenor? Do you live within driving distance of the Ottawa, Canada's Capital region? Jo...

Andiamo! Pre-Tour Concert (Robertson-Wesley United Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, June 2010)

live performance at Shekinah Retreat Centre in Waldheim, Saskatchewan, Canada in December 2023.

A fun choral work about the opening up of Canada by railroad, written by Canadian composer Jeff Smallman.

Although a relatively new player in the world of music, it has not taken long for Six Vocal Ensemble to leave their mark. Building upon the inspiration from such groups as Rajaton, The King’s Singers, and The Real Group, Six has charted a unique path, com...  moreAlthough a relatively new player in the world of music, it has not taken long for Six Vocal Ensemble to leave their mark. Building upon the inspiration from such groups as Rajaton, The King’s Singers, and The Real Group, Six has charted a unique path, combining choral, pop, world, and folk influences, surprising audiences everywhere with the versatility and blend of their voices. To categorize their genre is difficult; to experience their music is indescribable. The members of Six come from entirely different musical backgrounds. In its inception, Six came together as a group of opera and rock singers, jazz artists and choral traditionalists. From amidst this diversity a common goal has seamlessly forged a unified and surprisingly unique a cappella sound. New and returning audiences alike are left constantly amazed at the musical possibilities of the human voice. As the group continue to develop, each member brings different strengths, adding to the complexity that makes Six Vocal Ensemble. This diversity all...    less

Andiamo! Pre-Tour Concert (Robertson-Wesley United Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, June 2010)

Innismara, meaning “island in the sea” in Irish Gaelic, is an autonomous vocal chamber ensemble that fills a gap in the rich tapestry of choral music in Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprised of professionally trained musicians, Innismara is dedicated to th...  moreInnismara, meaning “island in the sea” in Irish Gaelic, is an autonomous vocal chamber ensemble that fills a gap in the rich tapestry of choral music in Newfoundland and Labrador. Comprised of professionally trained musicians, Innismara is dedicated to the performance of the intimate and hidden treasures of the vocal ensemble repertoire. Innismara made its debut in the summer of 2010 at Muses and Minstrels: A Festival of Early Performing Arts held in conjunction with the Cupids 400 celebrations. In collaboration with the Hot Earth Ensemble, Innismara performed music from the late Renaissance and early Baroque, highlights of which were recorded for national broadcast on CBC Radio. The success of these performances led to an invitation to participate in a series of workshops and performances in the Labrador Inuit communities of Nunatsiavut in the spring of 2011. The entire exchange project was recorded by film-maker Nigel Markham and CBC radio producer Francesca Swann for a documentary film on the choral tra...    less