What an amazing joint performance with our wonderful American friends! A memory both choirs will treasure! : )

SHEET MUSIC: https://musicspoke.com/downloads/the-... PROGRAM NOTES: “I breathed a song into the air, it fell to earth I knew not where.” Ten years ago, I wrote a composition called Always Keep This Close with little idea of where it would go or wh...  moreSHEET MUSIC: https://musicspoke.com/downloads/the-... PROGRAM NOTES: “I breathed a song into the air, it fell to earth I knew not where.” Ten years ago, I wrote a composition called Always Keep This Close with little idea of where it would go or what it would come to mean for others. To find that song living in the Hearts of other musicians is both humbling and surprising. For me, it’s a reminder of how powerful our actions and words can be. Something that feels insignificant to one person can be life-changing to another. While creating The Heart of a Friend, I knew from the start that I wanted to shape a melodic arc that captured the trajectory of both the arrow and the song. I felt strongly that the first two stanzas needed to end at a high point, preserving the uncertainty of where each might land. Only in the third stanza does the melody turn downward, revealing the rest of its path. I then combine these two halves to symbolically represent reflection—looking back on an action and seeing the journe...    less

Based in the Heart of the East Midlands, UK, we describe ourselves as "natural born singers", and deliver the Heart songs of South Africa alongside African-American Gospel and sweet soul music, all sung in the glorious acapella harmony that is t...  moreBased in the Heart of the East Midlands, UK, we describe ourselves as "natural born singers", and deliver the Heart songs of South Africa alongside African-American Gospel and sweet soul music, all sung in the glorious acapella harmony that is the trademark sound of this great choir. We are honoured to be the Desmond and Leah Tutu Peace Choir UK. Find us and 'like' us on Facebook or visit our website for details of upcoming concerts and workshops.  

glorious first try!

"Luminous Night of the Soul" (Ola Gjeilo) is sung by The Central Washington University Chamber Choir (Gary Weidenaar, director) joined by Ola Gjeilo on the piano and the Kairos String Quartet (comprised of CWU string faculty). In May, 2013, composer Ol...  more"Luminous Night of the Soul" (Ola Gjeilo) is sung by The Central Washington University Chamber Choir (Gary Weidenaar, director) joined by Ola Gjeilo on the piano and the Kairos String Quartet (comprised of CWU string faculty). In May, 2013, composer Ola Gjeilo spent 3 days on the Central Washington University Campus, joining the choir in recording 4 of his pieces. This performance of Gjeilo's "Luminous Night of the Soul" is from that session. The other pieces were "Sanctus" for a cappella choir, and "Across The Vast, Eternal Sky", also with the composer at the piano and joined by the Kairos Quartet. The final piece, "Ubi Caritas II: Through Infinite Ages", was recorded both in an unaccompanied rendition (how it is written and published) and in a version with Mr. Gjeilo improvising an accompaniment to the choir. This was Ola's second time on CWU's campus. His first visit was in the spring of 2011 and yielded 5 videos of his music, a wide-ranging interview with the composer and other bonus material...    less

First rehearsal....

From Sergei Rachmaninoff's "All-Night Vigil" No. 5 Nïne otpushchayeshi. Justin Kroll, Tenor Recorded live March 17, 2024 Arborlawn United Methodist Church Fort Worth, TX

Soloists: Scott Crawford, Cara Mannix Band: Annie Smart-Piano, Laurie Hamilton-Bass, Steve Hamilton-Drums, Jane Hamilton-Electric Violin

A brilliant first rehearsal of a difficult Avril Lavigne song!

Great hearing both choirs sing this song by Jane Hamilton.