"Stella" is dedicated to my friend Kristina, who introduced me to this remarkable French poem by Victor Hugo written while in exile on the Isle of Jersey. It is a complex layered poem exploring a multitude of interactions with the morning star - in na...  more"Stella" is dedicated to my friend Kristina, who introduced me to this remarkable French poem by Victor Hugo written while in exile on the Isle of Jersey. It is a complex layered poem exploring a multitude of interactions with the morning star - in naturalistic, religious, spiritual and seemingly political terms. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choraltracks.com) for recording "Stella." To purchase 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

music: David Haladjian

"A haunting tale, perfect for Christmas"—New York Times Kent Tritle leads the Manhattan School of Music Chamber Choir in David Lang's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Little Match Girl Passion, based on Hans Christian Andersen's pow...

Sung by the Chamber Choir of Warwickshire Young Voices, written by David Iles. More information and score available from www.warwickshireyoungvoices.org

A new carol for Christmas with music by David W. Solomons and Text by Thomas Clarke. This setting for Christmas represents the cold of a Northern winter (the cruel wind blows) although of course the actual events took place in rather warmer climes. ...  moreA new carol for Christmas with music by David W. Solomons and Text by Thomas Clarke. This setting for Christmas represents the cold of a Northern winter (the cruel wind blows) although of course the actual events took place in rather warmer climes. It also reflects much of the liturgical and popular symbolism of the Christmas season: robins, holly etc and it brings our thoughts towards the season of Easter with the blood of Good Friday.  

David proposes to his girlfriend, Rachel, at the V&A museum in London with the help of London City Singers. Clips were filmed with mobile phones so please excuse the shaking. Our 'video crew' got emotional during the filming, too! Filmed by: David S...  moreDavid proposes to his girlfriend, Rachel, at the V&A museum in London with the help of London City Singers. Clips were filmed with mobile phones so please excuse the shaking. Our 'video crew' got emotional during the filming, too! Filmed by: David Sheen and Stephen Flexer — thanks guys!  

My musical re-imagining of the Nativity story, with a surprise in the 2nd verse. Dedicated to my dear cousin, Madeleine Shaw. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact The Leading Note at info@leadingnote.com. I would lik...  moreMy musical re-imagining of the Nativity story, with a surprise in the 2nd verse. Dedicated to my dear cousin, Madeleine Shaw. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the score can contact The Leading Note at info@leadingnote.com. I would like to acknowledge the a capella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 25 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

"Aurum, aurum!" is dedicated to Asira Shukuru. It is a musical search for the meaning of gold, a choral exploration of our human relationship to this precious metal. In Latin and English. As always, comments are most welcomed. Sincere thanks to Matt...  more"Aurum, aurum!" is dedicated to Asira Shukuru. It is a musical search for the meaning of gold, a choral exploration of our human relationship to this precious metal. In Latin and English. As always, comments are most welcomed. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choraltracks.com) for recording "Aurum, aurum!" Email me at rain@magma.ca, if you'd like more info, or to obtain a copy of the score. 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

A video of the first take of The Water of Tyne from Exultate Singers' recording session at St George's Bristol for a new CD to be released in November 2013. The audio here is just from the camera microphone. The choir is conducted by David Ogden, and ...  moreA video of the first take of The Water of Tyne from Exultate Singers' recording session at St George's Bristol for a new CD to be released in November 2013. The audio here is just from the camera microphone. The choir is conducted by David Ogden, and the pianist is Richard Johnson. The arrangement is by Michael Neaum. http://www.exultatesingers.org  

Many years ago David Marsh kindly created a video for this work, composed and sung by me as the multitrack one-man choir dwschorale. The video is based on a caricature of me as a choirboy. This is an improved version using that video but following the w...  moreMany years ago David Marsh kindly created a video for this work, composed and sung by me as the multitrack one-man choir dwschorale. The video is based on a caricature of me as a choirboy. This is an improved version using that video but following the words more clearly and also including the words on screen. The choir sings the 12 days of Christmas but it all goes horribly (or hilariously) wrong.