Psalm 23 is dedicated to my aunt Patricia Shaw Of Vancouver, as this is her favourite Psalm. Two points Of note: First, the composition grew out Of the feeling that all 4 voices should start on the same note, grow outwards and then come back to that...  morePsalm 23 is dedicated to my aunt Patricia Shaw Of Vancouver, as this is her favourite Psalm. Two points Of note: First, the composition grew out Of the feeling that all 4 voices should start on the same note, grow outwards and then come back to that same note at the end. The rest just seemed to evolve on its own, seemingly guided by some external force. Second, unusually, I have asked choirs (where possible) to sing this without any breaks, via staggered breathing, as I wanted to highlight the deep conviction underlying the words Of the Psalm, as one single thread Of deep belief that moves from beginning to end. Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choraltracks.com) for recording "Psalm 23." As always, comments are 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. I would also like to thank my friends in our "Ad ...    less

"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

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

Dedicated to Awegechew Teshome, Melaku Worede and John Martin -- my three biodiversity mentors -- who introduced me to the "radical" idea that farmers, seed-saving farmers, have been humanity's ingenious plant breeders and nurturers Of biodiversity from t...  moreDedicated to Awegechew Teshome, Melaku Worede and John Martin -- my three biodiversity mentors -- who introduced me to the "radical" idea that farmers, seed-saving farmers, have been humanity's ingenious plant breeders and nurturers Of biodiversity from time immemorial. I would like to thank my Ottawa singing friends in the "Ad hoc Chorale" for testing out this piece in one Of our informal workshops and Offering valuable comments. I would also 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 27 years. And I would like to acknowledge the Boston-based Blue Heron Ensemble for introducing me to the haunting music Of Guillaume Dufay, which served as a major inspiration for this piece. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies Of the score can contact me ...    less

An SATB arrangement Of Victor Hugo's remarkable poem "La coccinelle" -- the narrator looks back on a moment in time when, as a teenager, he was preparing to kiss a girl. Unfortunately, a ladybug lands on her neck, however, which distracts him. He then rem...  moreAn SATB arrangement Of Victor Hugo's remarkable poem "La coccinelle" -- the narrator looks back on a moment in time when, as a teenager, he was preparing to kiss a girl. Unfortunately, a ladybug lands on her neck, however, which distracts him. He then removes the ladybug, but sadly the kiss flies Off forever! If you enjoy this musical trip down memory lane, then I invite you to consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Society Of Canada or an Alzheimer's support group in the area where you live. Thank you! https://alzheimer.ca/ Sincere thanks to Matthew Curtis (choraltracks.com) for recording "La coccinelle", which is dedicated to Emma. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies Of the score can contact me at Rain@magma.ca. 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 inval...    less

Dedicated to my dear cousins Gigi and Raven. Since first singing the medieval song "All and Some" in the mid 1990s, I fell in love with the Middle English and Latin lyrics, and one day I got inspired to create my own setting Of this poetic gem. NB: ...  moreDedicated to my dear cousins Gigi and Raven. Since first singing the medieval song "All and Some" in the mid 1990s, I fell in love with the Middle English and Latin lyrics, and one day I got inspired to create my own setting Of this poetic gem. 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 cappella choir that I sing in, The Stairwell Carollers, and our director Pierre Massie, for their musical inspiration these past 25 years. And with deepest appreciation to my brother Adam Rain and my friend Geneviève Lajoie for their invaluable support throughout my composing journey.  less

"There Will Come SOft Rain" by Jonathan Adams for SSAATTBB Chorus. Performed by Matthew Curtis.

“Heiliger Dankgesang,” is my choral adaptation Of the 3rd movement Of Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 132. Dedicated to Nicol Matt and the World Choir for Peace. I invite you to join me in supporting their fundraising campaign: https://www.gOfundme.com/f/w...  more“Heiliger Dankgesang,” is my choral adaptation Of the 3rd movement Of Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 132. Dedicated to Nicol Matt and the World Choir for Peace. I invite you to join me in supporting their fundraising campaign: https://www.gOfundme.com/f/world-choir-for-peace-singing-unites? Lyrics (adapted from Psalm 116): German: “Liebe erfüllt mich, weil mein Gott die Stimme meines Flehens erhört hat. Kehre zurück, meine Seele, in deine Ruh: denn mein Gott hat dir wohlgethan. Liebe erfüllt mich. O Freude, O Wonne, Die Sonne! O Freude, das ich am Leben bin. Liebe erfüllt mich.” English translation: “I am filled with love, for my God has heard the voice Of my supplication. Return, my soul, to your rest: for my God has made you well. I am filled with love. O Joy, O Bliss, the Sun! O Joy that I am alive. I am filled with love.” Background: In July 2019, I went to one Of Julian Armour’s Music and Beyond concerts in Ottawa, where I first heard the Bennewitz Quartet play Beethoven’s stunningly beautif...    less

Singin' in the Rain by Herb Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed, arr. Ken Cormier Performed at Reeldiculous (June 18 & 25, 2012) by Chor Leoni Men's Choir, Diane Loomer, Artistic Director (1940-2012). Soloist: Russell Cripps Choreography by Kevin Fatkin. Wa...  moreSingin' in the Rain by Herb Nacio Brown and Arthur Freed, arr. Ken Cormier Performed at Reeldiculous (June 18 & 25, 2012) by Chor Leoni Men's Choir, Diane Loomer, Artistic Director (1940-2012). Soloist: Russell Cripps Choreography by Kevin Fatkin. Watch for our Best Of Bard shows coming June 24 & July 1, 2013. Tickets available now at Bard on the Beach 604.739.0559 http://bit.ly/BardBoxOffice