Pete, Dawn, Louise, Holly, Katrina, Margo, Marjorie, John and Bob  -- the Stairwell Carollers, Xmas, 1990 Way back in 1990, when HUMAN beings were still manning all the cameras at CJOH and show guests had a dressing room and a makeup artist, Joel Ha...

Chicago Master Singers' vision is to grow a culture of inclusive, intergenerational ensemble singing through extraordinary musical experiences that lift the HUMAN spirit. Established in 1979, Chicago Master Singers (CMS) is an auditioned chorus of 100...  moreChicago Master Singers' vision is to grow a culture of inclusive, intergenerational ensemble singing through extraordinary musical experiences that lift the HUMAN spirit. Established in 1979, Chicago Master Singers (CMS) is an auditioned chorus of 100 volunteer singers from Chicago and suburban communities. The ensemble’s repertoire includes great choral works and new works by living composers. CMS performs unaccompanied, and also collaborates with professional instrumentalists and soloists. The chorus has international acclaim, having toured extensively throughout Europe for the past 30 years.  less

"High On The Hill" Music and lyrics by D. Zakaras, The church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 2010, St.Petersburg The song is about the eternal HUMAN desire to seek its star, loving heart and desire to realize his dream. «На высоком холме» му...  more"High On The Hill" Music and lyrics by D. Zakaras, The church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 2010, St.Petersburg The song is about the eternal HUMAN desire to seek its star, loving heart and desire to realize his dream. «На высоком холме» музыка и слова: Донатас Закарас Песня о вечном стремлении человека к поискам своей звезды, любящего сердца и желанию воплотить в жизнь свою мечту.  

Quinta and a Half is an Israeli mixed a cappella group, consisting of 6 singers. For over 12 years, Quinta.5 has been redefining the limits of the HUMAN voice, in a show that captivates the crowd over and over again. Their vocal blend, together with th...  moreQuinta and a Half is an Israeli mixed a cappella group, consisting of 6 singers. For over 12 years, Quinta.5 has been redefining the limits of the HUMAN voice, in a show that captivates the crowd over and over again. Their vocal blend, together with their original arrangements create a unique Israeli sound that can be distinguished in every performance, providing a rich musical experience for the Israeli audience. Since the group was formed in 2006 by its founder Doron Ben-Ami, Quinta.5 has achieved great recognition both in Israel and throughout the world, and today is at the forefront of the contemporary a cappella scene in Israel. In 2012 they performed in the Israeli Music Awards (Acum) for the first time, and since then their performance has become one of the recurring acts every year. The group performed in many Israeli well known festivals as well as formal national ceremonies and numerous television shows. In 2015 the group toured in the United States for the first time in celebration of the Isr...    less

SINGING When the soul first put on the body's shirt, the ocean lifted up all its gifts. When love first tasted the lips of being HUMAN, it started singing. Texts by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks © 1995 Coleman Barks. Used by permission. ...  moreSINGING When the soul first put on the body's shirt, the ocean lifted up all its gifts. When love first tasted the lips of being HUMAN, it started singing. 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 a...    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

As part of the Vocal Art Ensemble's May 2011 concert "Cloudburst--Sounds of Nature" is "Tres Cantos Nativos", a collection of three Krao Indian songs arranged by Marco Leite. As this piece was meant to represent the early beginnings of HUMAN civilization ...  moreAs part of the Vocal Art Ensemble's May 2011 concert "Cloudburst--Sounds of Nature" is "Tres Cantos Nativos", a collection of three Krao Indian songs arranged by Marco Leite. As this piece was meant to represent the early beginnings of HUMAN civilization and the birth of language, we have staged the piece in a somewhat tribal way and added jungle sound effects.  

1. O Crux - Cantala Lawrence University women's Choir (USA) OO:00 2. Almas De Barro - Cantus Femina Novus (Cyprus) 2:38 3. Alleluia - Vocal de Cámara Platense (Argentina) 6:43 4. HUMAN - Central Buks High School West Women's Choir (USA) 13:18 5. T...  more1. O Crux - Cantala Lawrence University women's Choir (USA) OO:00 2. Almas De Barro - Cantus Femina Novus (Cyprus) 2:38 3. Alleluia - Vocal de Cámara Platense (Argentina) 6:43 4. HUMAN - Central Buks High School West Women's Choir (USA) 13:18 5. The Secret of Life - ECU Choir (USA) 17:47 6. Cuando eruda soñó - Virtual Choir (All over world) 21:33 7. O Magnum Mysterium - Cantala Lawrence University women's Choir (USA) 27:37 8. Entre HUMANos - Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (USA) 32:27 9. Cruxifisus - Central Bucks West Men's choir (USA) 36:58 10. RADIANCE - Virtual Choir by Santiago Veros (argentina) 40:23 12. Land of angels - Virtual Choir by Santiago Veros (argentina) 46:46 11. La Magia del Río -Virtual Choir by Santiago Veros (argentina) 49:28 Bonus track 13. Incertitude - Sung by Matthew Curtis (USA) 53:08 14. The secret of Life Conducted by Santiago Veros 55:32 15. Almas de Barro - Cantala Lawrence University women's Choir (USA) 58:58  less