"Imagining Incense" - Volume 3 and the latest recording by the Vancouver Chamber Choir featuring the choral music of Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer. Visit www.vancouverchamberchoir.com for more information and order details.

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

Step into the ethereal world of Gregorian Chant with my new video called "Discover the Divine: Gregorian Chant's Sacred Harmony

"The Tyger" is dedicated to my daughter, Salima Rain, who asked me if I might try setting this remarkable William Blake poem to music, a daunting thought, to say the least. But I took on the challenge and here is the result. As always, comments are ...  more"The Tyger" is dedicated to my daughter, Salima Rain, who asked me if I might try setting this remarkable William Blake poem to music, a daunting thought, to say the least. But I took on the challenge and here is the result. As always, comments are most welcomed. Email me at Rain@magma.ca, if you'd like more info. 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. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey.  less

Our first ever solo number at the Colston Hall! As sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Sound, Jimmy Tuffrey. Film Crew: Simon Tagney, Bertie H. Smith, Charlie Marshall. Edited by Charlie Marshall. M.D. Sam Burns

"Signs of Rain Or Forty Reasons For Not Accepting An Invitation of a Friend To Make an Excursion With Him" lyrics by Dr. Edward Jenner (18th Century). Directed by Ken Jenson. Lyrics: The hollow winds begin to blow, The clouds look black, the glass is...  more"Signs of Rain Or Forty Reasons For Not Accepting An Invitation of a Friend To Make an Excursion With Him" lyrics by Dr. Edward Jenner (18th Century). Directed by Ken Jenson. Lyrics: The hollow winds begin to blow, The clouds look black, the glass is low; Thee soot falls down, the spaniels sleep, The spiders from their cobwebs peep. Last night the sun went pale to bed, The moon in halos hid her head; The boding shepherd heaves a sigh, For see, a Rainbow spans the sky! The walls are damp, the ditches smell, Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel. Hark how the chairs and tables crack! Old Betty's nerves are on the rack; Loud quacks the duck, the peacocks cry, The distant hills are seeming nigh. How restless are the snorting swine! The busy flies disturb the kine; Low o'er the grass the swallow wings, The cricket, too, how sharp he sings! Puss on the hearth, with velvet paws, Sits wiping o'er her whiskered jaws; Through the clear streams the fishes rise, And nimbly catch the incautious flies. T...    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

Didn't It Rain The Spirituals of Stacey V. Gibbs performed by The Sunday Night Singers recorded at St. Wilfrid's Episcopal Church, Huntington Beach, CA Mike McCullough, Director Allan Laino, Assistant Director Tyler Heckathorn, President Jeff Boo...  moreDidn't It Rain The Spirituals of Stacey V. Gibbs performed by The Sunday Night Singers recorded at St. Wilfrid's Episcopal Church, Huntington Beach, CA Mike McCullough, Director Allan Laino, Assistant Director Tyler Heckathorn, President Jeff Boothe, Vice President/Sound Engineer Monica Olsen, Secretary Bruce Rivera, Treasurer thesundaynightsingers.com  

Singin' in the Rain, de Nacio Brown (1896-1964). Arr: João Henriques Concerto de Aniversário FFUCoral, Café Santa Cruz 7 de Outubro de 2014

Sung at a choral course in Nottingham in 1977 Sing we and Chant it While love doth grant it Not long youth lasteth And old age hasteth Now is best leisure To take our pleasure All things invite us Now to delight us Hence, care, be packing! No ...  moreSung at a choral course in Nottingham in 1977 Sing we and Chant it While love doth grant it Not long youth lasteth And old age hasteth Now is best leisure To take our pleasure All things invite us Now to delight us Hence, care, be packing! No mirth be lacking! Let spare no treasure To live in pleasure