I. A WATER WHEEL TURNS Inside water, a water wheel turns. The star circulates with the moon. We live in the Night ocean wondering, What are these lights? Texts by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks © 1995 Coleman Barks. Used by permission. ...  moreI. A WATER WHEEL TURNS Inside water, a water wheel turns. The star circulates with the moon. We live in the Night ocean wondering, What are these lights? Texts by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks © 1995 Coleman Barks. Used by permission. Performed by the Millennium Consort, Martin Neary, conductor, and the Pomona College Choir, Donna Di Grazia, director. Water Ruminations is a setting of six poems by the thirteenth-century poet Rumi, in English translations from the Persian by Coleman Barks, for double choir and organ. The poetry sings of literal and spiritual connections between water and sky, a drop of water and human life, flowing water and love, drinking water and its container, the giddiness of spring and rolling seas, and the ocean's gifts and singing. Its images, from 800 years ago, speak to us with both vivid immediacy and transcendence. The idea for the piece originated with the Mellon Elemental Arts Initiative, which proposed funding activities that would involve students in ar...    less

That Choir Remembers - November 8, 2015 (conducted by Craig Pike) Metropolitan United Church, Toronto ON Recorded by Kris O'Reilley All Night Vigil, Op 37 ('Vespers') - Sergei Rachmaninoff III. Blessed Is The Man www.thatchoir.com

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I really, really don’t like performing outdoors (I’ll come to why in a moment)! But sometimes it’s unavoidable, so what can we do to make...

[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   I recently wrote about some of the reasons why you might think you can’t sing.   Suessian megaphone by theparadigmshifter   One of th...

[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir] I bet you think your choir is a wonderful, friendly little community that welcomes newcomers with open arms. But what if I told you that new members might fi...

The Lassus Scholars, named after the great Renaissance composer Orlande de Lassus, seek to achieve excellence in expression and interpretation in all musical styles from the 16th century to the present day.

The fundamental connection between music and scenic performance – this will be the intent with which CHOREOS wants to produce a new quality of musical scenic performances. The long-term experience of scenic choreographic work with different choirs shows ...  moreThe fundamental connection between music and scenic performance – this will be the intent with which CHOREOS wants to produce a new quality of musical scenic performances. The long-term experience of scenic choreographic work with different choirs shows us that singing or experiencing music is always connected to a primal impulse to movement. This primal impulse is unfolded our production, connect it to space and light and bring it all together in our performance. The result is a new musical work in a physical wholesomeness in which sound and movement do not compete but complement and enhance each other in fruitful ways. We are not interested in creating pictures for the music – we enhance the uncompromising sound to another level of perception, we heighten and amplify the body consciousness of our singing performers. We use the knowledge about the space and the powerful energies therein for our performances of choir singing. The dialogue between the perception of the inside and outside, the area of tension ...    less

Say No ! is an international project for choirs and small musical ensembles. Together we sing ‘No to War’. Our song is a tribute to deserters and war objectors. This hymn is also a call to FleeTheFrenzy: say 'No' to the madness of weaponry and war.

M'ANAM is one of the most exciting new vocal ensembles to emerge in recent years, growing naturally from the ground-breaking choral group ANÚNA. Formed in 2017, the members come from the island of Ireland and beyond, encompassing a huge range of musical e...  moreM'ANAM is one of the most exciting new vocal ensembles to emerge in recent years, growing naturally from the ground-breaking choral group ANÚNA. Formed in 2017, the members come from the island of Ireland and beyond, encompassing a huge range of musical experiences. The musical connection of the group to Ireland is deep and spans all the traditions present here. The songs and texts date back as far as the Viking raids on Ireland in the 9th century, through to music created by the men themselves under the direction of their Artistic Director Michael McGlynn. This year the group release their debut album, "M'ANAM" in the Autumn, and are featured artists on the opening track "Clarity" of the latest album by acclaimed Japanese jazz-rock ensemble Mouse on the Keys whose 3rd album "tres" was released this May to universal acclaim. Their first digital single "Bandó Ribineann" is released this June.  less

(the title comes from the young son of a friend of mine – I knew what he meant!)   [this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   Like many teachers, I often catch colds during the autumn t...