[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’m always on the lookout for new songs to use with my singing workshops and choirs.   Sara Bareilles in concert by Anirudh Koul   Th...

CES is a renowned SATB chamber Ensemble celebrating the choral music of North American and women composers.

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

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I’ve always known that I’m more interested in traditional songs, but I’ve only just realised that it’s the Vocal quality that I&rs...

Inspired by the great choral works of the medieval and early modern periods, the Ensemble creates colourful programmes to illustrate musical or historical themes. Directed by David Skinner, Alamire has embarked on an ambitious ten year 30-disc project to ...  moreInspired by the great choral works of the medieval and early modern periods, the Ensemble creates colourful programmes to illustrate musical or historical themes. Directed by David Skinner, Alamire has embarked on an ambitious ten year 30-disc project to record a library of early English choral music. Skinner’s performing editions will be published by Edition Peters. He is also guest blogger on renaissance repertoire for Eric Whitacre.