[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]   When I’m booked to run a singing workshop for someone, I always make sure that I get there Early. I usually arrive to find people milling aroun...

words: Mahmoud Darwich (adapted by the composer) music: Jean-Christophe Rosaz by Le Choeur des Polysons conducting: Elisabeth Trigo piano: Mathieu Picard --- avec l'aimable autorisation des Editions Actes Sud et des Editions de Minuit --- Ô fi...  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">morewords: Mahmoud Darwich (adapted by the composer) music: Jean-Christophe Rosaz by Le Choeur des Polysons conducting: Elisabeth Trigo piano: Mathieu Picard --- avec l'aimable autorisation des Editions Actes Sud et des Editions de Minuit --- Ô fils des chaînes enfants de Babylone Vous reviendrez bientôt à Jérusalem et alors vous grandirez bientôt, bientôt! Chantons Jérusalem! Nous chantons Jérusalem Vous souvenant du passé de Babylone Vous moissonnerez le blé de Jérusalem --- O son of the chains Children of Babylon You will soon return to Jerusalem And then you will grow soon soon! Let us sing Jerusalem! We sing Jerusalem Remembering Of the past of Babylon You will reap the wheat of Jerusalem  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

An introductory film to the group SESTinA with their musical director Mark Chambers

  Quick reminder that the Early booking discount for the Conduct with Charisma workshop for choral directors ends next Monday.   Full details and booking form can be found at www.HelpingYouHarmonise.com/charisma_workshop

La Fortezza is a relatively new group of enthusiastic singers. Our repertoire is diverse from Early music to contemporary, often a capella.

Noel by Théophile Gautier setting for two altos and guitar poem translated into English by S N Solomons, music composed and performed (multitrack) by D W Solomons (dwsChorale) The sky is dark, the earth is white, oh Bells ring out with joy Je...  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreNoel by Théophile Gautier setting for two altos and guitar poem translated into English by S N Solomons, music composed and performed (multitrack) by D W Solomons (dwsChorale) The sky is dark, the earth is white, oh Bells ring out with joy Jesus is born, the Virgin quiet shelters her baby boy. Noel Noel Noel Bells ring out with joy! No wraps No festooned curtains spread to shield the child from frost nothing but flimsy spider webs trail from the beams aloft. He shivers in that cold stable this Jesus child so dear, and so to warm him in the cradle, the ass and ox draw near. The snow hangs down in lacy fringe. But far above the heavens swell reveal the angel choir that sings to men Noel Noel  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

in the Early 1990's a number of vocalists had some spare time. What else to do than rehearse and perform for local audiences and friends... Over the years, however, the group has evolved into a well-known Belgian vocal ensemble. Just for Fun offers...  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">morein the Early 1990's a number of vocalists had some spare time. What else to do than rehearse and perform for local audiences and friends... Over the years, however, the group has evolved into a well-known Belgian vocal ensemble. Just for Fun offers the audience aural and visual entertainment with that extra sparkle of fun!  

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 ...  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">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.  

Yes, there is a baby in the background. She belongs to two of the members in the Òran choir. This was during a workshop and was an impromptu performance so they brought her up on stage. July 2009. Oran went to an Early morning workshop with Eric Wh...  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreYes, there is a baby in the background. She belongs to two of the members in the Òran choir. This was during a workshop and was an impromptu performance so they brought her up on stage. July 2009. Oran went to an Early morning workshop with Eric Whitacre during the Mondiale Choral Competition in Laval, Quebec. At the end of the workshop, an audience member requested that our choir sing one of Eric Whitacre's pieces. We were doing Seal Lullaby for the competition, so we just jumped right into that one with Eric conducting us!!!!!!!!!!! It was pretty darn awesome! This also features Jen McMillan on piano. The piano was really close to where I was standing, so that's why it sounds super loud in this video. Sorry.  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getPrevious().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">less

Traditional German carol (based on a Thuringian melody "Seht wie die Sonne dort sinket" from around 1808), The melody moves through the parts while the other parts represent the ringing of the Bells - with a few added cheeky English cadences. Version...  ink" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="$(this).getParent().getNext().style.display='';$(this).getParent().style.display='none';">moreTraditional German carol (based on a Thuringian melody "Seht wie die Sonne dort sinket" from around 1808), The melody moves through the parts while the other parts represent the ringing of the Bells - with a few added cheeky English cadences. Versions are also available for string quartet, wind quartet, brass quartet, flute quartet and clarinet quartet.