[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from almost 30 years of leading non-auditioned community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions ac...

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

"Glory to God in the Highest" at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Rochester, MN directed by Al Reesnes

Just ordered one of these.  Can't wait to get it and wear it to my chorus Rehearsal..   Should raise a laugh or two!! You can get one from:   http://teespring.com/SingInTune (different styles of T shirt and hoodies also available...

Arrangement for men's voices by Alan Cruise-Johnston Words shown on screen Score available for Free download

BENEDICTION, An Irish Blessing - by John Conahan, SATB a cappella. In this video, you'll be able to view the complete score in tandem with a performance. For more information and additional works, visit www.johnconahan.com. (© John Conahan)

This video was created with WeVideo. Try our unique, cloud-based social editing platform at http://www.wevideo.com. Try it for Free!

Excellence isn't easy.  We appreciate that which costs us greatly and often treat that which is Free with disdain. The more it costs us, the greater the “value.” Being part of a Good Ensemble is not easy, fast, or cheap. Most people, when...

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

This song is a wedding present for my daughter Salima and my son-in-law Tarik Talundzic. As a boy chorister I can remember singing Healey Willan's setting of "Rise up, my love", a true gem. The beautiful imagery of this text drew me to write my own s...  moreThis song is a wedding present for my daughter Salima and my son-in-law Tarik Talundzic. As a boy chorister I can remember singing Healey Willan's setting of "Rise up, my love", a true gem. The beautiful imagery of this text drew me to write my own setting. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choralTracks.com) for recording "Rise up, my love, my fair one." If you would like to obtain the sheet music for this song, please contact: info@leadingnote.com. I would 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 26 years. I would also like to thank my friends in our "Ad hoc Chorale" for testing out this piece in one of our informal workshops and offering valuable comments. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey.  less