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.  

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...

  Come and visit our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grupo-Vocal-Olisipo/123677054357656   This is an excerpt of our concert on the 10th March. It's a live recording at Santarém's Cathedral in Portugal. Hope you like it. ...

Mood Swing is maDe up of about 20 members. Some have been here since the beginning, some joined this year and others fit somewhere in the middle. We have an exacting standard of singing - we are just not sure what that exactly is! One of the most impo...  moreMood Swing is maDe up of about 20 members. Some have been here since the beginning, some joined this year and others fit somewhere in the middle. We have an exacting standard of singing - we are just not sure what that exactly is! One of the most important facets of Mood Swing is that we have fun with what we do and it comes across not only in our singing, but also in our performances. We may not have perfected laughing and singing at the same time, but we give it a fair go! Since 2001, Mood Swing have been wowing audiences with our full sounds and suave choreography. With a range of music from '20s swing, African songs, traditional gospel, contemporary hits and fun ditties arranged in three and four parts, Mood Swing have something for all ages. Fabulously led by Lisa Schwabe, Mood Swing have been singing around Melbourne at concerts, churches and private functions to the Delight of all who see and hear us. Don't you be the one to miss out!  less

RecorDed on April 29, 2012 using a Flip ViDeo camera.

Alias Chamber and Portara Ensembles

Thank you for visiting www.portaraEnsemble.com. Here is a compilation of a few pieces performed at our Winter 2010 Concert. Enjoy!