Voices of NATURE (2016) o.l.v. Kurt Bikkembergs

Madrigal by Thomas Vautor for five part choir. (a vulture composes a song about an owl!? - political correctness gone mad!) The owl is depicted as a thing of beauty a fierce force of NATURE and a mysterious companion to dying souls The drawin...  moreMadrigal by Thomas Vautor for five part choir. (a vulture composes a song about an owl!? - political correctness gone mad!) The owl is depicted as a thing of beauty a fierce force of NATURE and a mysterious companion to dying souls The drawing is by my late mother, the painting is by Caspar David Friedrich the carvings are by my father  

The Tsuru University Choral Society is a Japanese university choir founded in 1963. It is based in Tsuru City, located at the foot of Mt.Fuji. Under the our conductor, Prof. Masahiko Shimizu, we always practice in this place, blessed in NATURE, with m...  moreThe Tsuru University Choral Society is a Japanese university choir founded in 1963. It is based in Tsuru City, located at the foot of Mt.Fuji. Under the our conductor, Prof. Masahiko Shimizu, we always practice in this place, blessed in NATURE, with many friends who get together at Tsuru University. Including the annual concert held on "World Chorus Day" on the second Sunday of December every year, we perform at elementary and junior high schools, social welfare facilities, etc., and sing at chorus festivals, giving the "TSURUBUN SOUND" in a variety of venues. We have also awarded at the All Japan Chorus Competition in many times and often won top prizes in the largest chorus competition in Japan.  less

SANCTUARY invites audiences to be immersed in an uninterrupted flow of evocative melodies and sumptuous harmonies from Eastern Europe. This concert will invoke the rich and varied musical cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic, and NATURE-cente...  moreSANCTUARY invites audiences to be immersed in an uninterrupted flow of evocative melodies and sumptuous harmonies from Eastern Europe. This concert will invoke the rich and varied musical cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic, and NATURE-centered traditions that coexist throughout the region. Kitka's program features traditional and contemporary Balkan, Slavic, and Caucasian (Georgian and Armenian) repertoire sung in more than twelve languages.  

The Gospel Choir 'Rejoice' from Langenberg, Germany, was founded in 1996 by the organist and choirmaster Roland Orthaus, who still conducts the choir today. Since its founding, the choir has had about 80 active members who enjoy the lively NATURE of Gosp...  moreThe Gospel Choir 'Rejoice' from Langenberg, Germany, was founded in 1996 by the organist and choirmaster Roland Orthaus, who still conducts the choir today. Since its founding, the choir has had about 80 active members who enjoy the lively NATURE of Gospel music and who are inspired by the message of Gospels and Spirituals. The choir sings this style of music in all its forms, ranging from simple three or four part all male/female vocal arrangements, to four part mixed arrangements. As well, they also perform more complex eight or ten part scores featuring solo parts which are sung by soloists from the choir. Due to active co-operation with various youth organisations, this choir consists of many different generations who all get on well with one and other. The choir is accompanied by the 'Rejoice Band' which is comprised of piano, drums, an electric bass, and additional instruments when required. Concerts in Langenberg and further afield, successful appearances at the Krefeld Gospel Festival and others in t...    less

A long-established and highly regarded choral society of approx. 130 members, performing 3 or 4 concerts per year in Sheffield Cathedral and other churches/venues. Performances are of a widely varied NATURE, including major Works such as Verdi's Requiem ...  moreA long-established and highly regarded choral society of approx. 130 members, performing 3 or 4 concerts per year in Sheffield Cathedral and other churches/venues. Performances are of a widely varied NATURE, including major Works such as Verdi's Requiem and Britten's War Requiem. New members always welcome - see website for details. In addition to the main choir there are smaller groups such as the Chamber Choir and Ladies' Choir. An extensive 'Academy' vocal and musical training programme is in place, open to members and non-nembers.  less

The Vocal Art Ensemble presented their rendition of "O Sapo (The Toad" arranged by Stephen Hatfield as part of their "Cloudburst--Sounds of NATURE" concert in May 2011. Intended to chronicle the evolution of Earth's creatures, this piece shows the utter j...  moreThe Vocal Art Ensemble presented their rendition of "O Sapo (The Toad" arranged by Stephen Hatfield as part of their "Cloudburst--Sounds of NATURE" concert in May 2011. Intended to chronicle the evolution of Earth's creatures, this piece shows the utter joy of a toad hopping around his kingdom on our green planet. The women dance and the men join in with percussion and 'toad calls'.  

Choral Chameleon's chorus premiered this colorful piece of Choral Storytelling by our composer-in-residence at our concert 'The Telephone Hour' on November 18 (and 19) 2016. The concert theme focused on the damaging NATURE of gossip and the larger mea...  moreChoral Chameleon's chorus premiered this colorful piece of Choral Storytelling by our composer-in-residence at our concert 'The Telephone Hour' on November 18 (and 19) 2016. The concert theme focused on the damaging NATURE of gossip and the larger meaning of how words are powerful and have greater impact than we realize. Based on a well-known Jewish folk tale, the piece is largely sung in Yiddish, featuring narrated passages in English, with the moral resolution in Hebrew. Performed: November 19 2016 Location: Studios of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, LES, NYC. Piano: Sam Shull Double Bass: Genevieve Chapin  less

The 20-member Vocal Art Ensemble presents Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst as the finale to their "Cloudburst--Sounds of NATURE" concert in May 2011, joined by members of the JUUliebells ensemble.

A setting of text adapted from prose by American naturalist John Muir (1838-1914). Commissioned for the Combined Choirs of St. Joseph's School, Seattle, directed by Rick Boyle, who premiered the piece at Benaroya Hall's Nordstrom Recital Hall on May 6, 20...  moreA setting of text adapted from prose by American naturalist John Muir (1838-1914). Commissioned for the Combined Choirs of St. Joseph's School, Seattle, directed by Rick Boyle, who premiered the piece at Benaroya Hall's Nordstrom Recital Hall on May 6, 2004, in the second annual "New Works New Hope" concert for the benefit of Gilda's Club Seattle. The piece was revised in 2007 and the premiere of the revised score was given on November 16, 2007, by the Queens College Chorus, Cindy Bell conducting, at the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York. “Driven by a refreshing text of American naturalist John Muir, Bartholomew has created an accessible work that flows easily through both key and meter changes, and features expressive, lyric melodies contrasted by exciting rhythmic drive.“ - Cindy Bell  less