A sequence of settings of poetry by a monk starting out after his noviciate, performed by me with a beautiful soprano Kyrie by Sheralyn Rennert​ hovering above In this sequence of 7 sections Alun (Brother David) was approaching the End of his noviciate a...  moreA sequence of settings of poetry by a monk starting out after his noviciate, performed by me with a beautiful soprano Kyrie by Sheralyn Rennert​ hovering above In this sequence of 7 sections Alun (Brother David) was approaching the End of his noviciate and considering which order he should devote himself to. 1. Kyrie - Une heure ou deux me restent dans ce bruit sonore que tu es ... soprano and alto solos (distant and present voices) with guitar accompaniment 2. Un dernier regard car la fenêtre ouverte que tu es se clôt....soprano (still singing Kyrie) and alto with guitar accompaniment 3. Alone we are together in this place - two alto recorders and guitar with spoken voice 4. He makes men pure from their sins (words by St Paul) - two equal voices with guitar chord names 5. Kyrie eleison and Christe eleison (sung in the distance) 6. Amidst grey working days - alto and guitar 7. Four part Kyrie: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, performed as an SATB electronic choir  less

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] the last Time I was in a room with a group of singers was nearly six months ago. If I had known then that I wouldn’t be singing like that for the fore...

TENORS AND BASSES NEEDED  Stairwell Caroller Choir Auditions continue Until August 2022 or Until tenor and bass positions are filled. Must live in the Ottawa region - in-person rehearsals have resumed. Proof of vaccination necessary.   ...

the Harrow Apollo Male Choir was formed in 1941 in a North London aircraft factory and today its 50 dedicated members continue the tradition of singing for enjoyment, for well-being, and to raise funds for charity. New members are always welcome! the ...  morethe Harrow Apollo Male Choir was formed in 1941 in a North London aircraft factory and today its 50 dedicated members continue the tradition of singing for enjoyment, for well-being, and to raise funds for charity. New members are always welcome! the Choir regularly performs at weddings, corporate events and massed male voice choir events, enthralling audiences up and down the country, having also performed in Jersey, Ireland, Belgium, Germany and the USA. Choristers hail from all over North London and have raised substantial funds for national and local charities including the Paul Strickland Scanner Appeal, the Stroke Association, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Bentley Priory Museum. If you are a male and you love to sing, we want to hear from you! A commitment to singing and to being part of a focused and uplifting group are the main requirements. Please contact us via the website.  less

  Wow 40 years! Where did the Time go? I've always been one of the oldest members of the Stairwell Carollers - if not the OLDEST - at our choir's 20th anniversary in 1997 I was 41, but still didn't look a day over 30. Pierre had HAIR - and I sh...

Knut Nystedt (born 1915) Immortal Bach A variation of the beginning of Bach's choral "Komm süßer Tod" (BWV 478) which is sung initially: Five choirs sing the same original music but in different tempi and wait at the End of each phrase. lyrics: K...  moreKnut Nystedt (born 1915) Immortal Bach A variation of the beginning of Bach's choral "Komm süßer Tod" (BWV 478) which is sung initially: Five choirs sing the same original music but in different tempi and wait at the End of each phrase. lyrics: Komm süßer Tod, komm sel'ge Ruh! Komm, führe mich in Friede. translation: Come sweet death, come celestial ease! Come, lead me in peace. the recording shows the Monteverdi Choir Würzburg with its conductor Matthias Beckert at the memorial concert on March 16, 2008 in the Augustinerkirche commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of Würzburg. For further information please visit http://www.monteverdi-choir.com  less

"Da pacem Domine" is dedicated to two of my dear relatives named James. I felt the inspiration to start this piece in the weeks leading up to the 100th anniversary of the End of World War I, in which my dear grandfather Jimmy Rain (1895-1974) had serv...  more"Da pacem Domine" is dedicated to two of my dear relatives named James. I felt the inspiration to start this piece in the weeks leading up to the 100th anniversary of the End of World War I, in which my dear grandfather Jimmy Rain (1895-1974) had served in the Canadian forces, in one of the most dangerous roles, as a runner in northwestern France. This song honours his memory and the love that he showed me as a boy and a young man growing up. Shortly after starting this piece, I then learned that my dear cousin Jamie Shaw (1959-2019) was gravely ill and with his permission, I have dedicated this piece to him as well. Jamie's courage, good spirit and humour throughout his illness was an inspiration to all of us who knew him. "Da pacem Domine" is a musical search for peace: both external peace, between individuals, groups, societies, nations; and internal peace, to find a restful spot within the soul, amidst the serious tensions and conflicts seemingly inherent in the human stream of existence. It explor...    less

"Do You Hear the People Sing?" performance in June 2014- At the End of the Day I Dreamed a Dream Bring Him Home Do You Hear the People Sing?

Happy New Year to one and all... just think.... This Time next year you could be a millionaire .... you could also be reminiscing about your wonderful Singing Holiday to Launde Abbey and patting yourself on the back for booking early and banking the sa...

[the views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 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 across th...