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Polish Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Wałęsa and 38 other former political prisoners of Poland's communist regime have condemned Donald Trump's treatment of Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, which they said reminded them of communist interrogation techniques

submitted 17 hours ago • 49 comments

"Shadow," a song for cat lovers. Just put the finishing touches on this new a cappella arrangement for upper voices (SSAA). Lyrics by my brother Adam Rain -- in memory of a dear feline friend -- our very first cat, Shadow (1967-1981). youtu.be/93W6sRXPWy4?...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

I share this photo for 2 reasons. First it expresses a certain exhaustion of spirit at the troubling state our collective, human “experiment” finds itself in today. Second, it is a reminder that this child managed to survive the Great London Smog of 1952, so it’s no time to chuck it all in just yet!

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

In memory of Victor Hugo, born Feb 26, 1802 -- I share this SATB setting of his heart-wrenching poem -- "Demain, dès l'aube" -- mourning the loss of a dear friend -- also grieving the deaths of innocent victims of wars and armed conflict around the world. youtu.be/7Ati3UuZTH4?...

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Playlist of artists singing "The First Time: Roberta Flack (RIP), Peggy Seeger (to whom the song was dedicated), Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary, Brothers Four, Joe & Eddie, Chad Mitchell, Canadians Catherine McKinnon and Gordon Lightfoot, and a much older Peggy Seeger. youtu.be/Id_UYLPSn6U?...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

For 20+ years, I used to train for the Ottawa Marathon by running on the fringes of the Rideau Canal Skateway. Such a great experience, and very kind to my feet, ankles and knees. Glad to see that the CBC and the National Capital Commission have now caught the wave! :) www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

An interesting analysis of the Canadian federal election soon to be upon us.... www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

If you’ve lost someone dear, this song might be for you: How heavy lies the heart, when you so dearly do depart. Holding the memories, oh so dear. Was it but a dream, do we share the same fear? Then through the clouds appears your face and I find you beside me all the days. youtu.be/6HuVbpGqQqE?...

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

A bird, a bridge, some snow capped mountains, and the first day of feeling good after a bad 15-day bug. So it was with covid a year ago in Vancouver and so it is here in Toronto with this "non-covid covid." To those who are under the weather, I feel for you, may this photo represent healthier days.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

5/5 10 years ago today, my “late in life” choral composing project began, with a 4-part a cappella “Kyrie.” Keen listeners will notice that (1) the melody is “Quelle est cette odeur agréable,” and (2) the structure comes from the Kyrie in Josquin’s “Missa pange lingua.” youtu.be/zK-AHMzdlEU?...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

4/5 So where were we? 10 years ago, 3 ingredients: (1) crisis, (2) Josquin overdose, (3) my uncle’s theoretical physics project. 2 final ingredients: (4) Stairwell Carollers, the choir I sang in for 28 years, and (5) “Quelle est cette odeur agréable.” A demain.... youtu.be/JKJGcjbsq8Y?...

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

3/5 During my crisis 10 years ago, my Uncle Duncan was a huge help. He also inspired me. After a long legal career, he became a late-in-life theoretical physicist! A seed was planted -- when I created my unconventional setting of Good King Wenceslas, he was the dedicatee! youtu.be/U7KJ7kvsVac?...

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

2/5 Ten years ago, I had a life crisis, lost 10 pounds, got no sleep, and was about to lose the job I enjoyed for 22 years. I found great solace then, listening to Josquin’s masterpiece, "Missa pange lingua." Do you see any similarities to my score that I shared yesterday? youtu.be/_zxnFVWZVcE

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

1/5 It all began with this. Stay tuned for the full story....

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

A hauntingly beautiful love song for Valentine's Day -- by singer and transgender activist Beverly Glenn-Copeland -- recorded live at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre. "Welcome the child whose hand I hold. Welcome to you, both old and new. We are ever new. We are ever new." youtu.be/TbrJk92fQzQ?...

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

Available in stores and streaming services tomorrow! orchid-music.lnk.to/MendelssohnG...

submitted 18 days ago • 2 comments

I am grieving for an old friend with whom I lost touch, and I just found out today that Maggie Dace Hollis died in 2013. In this song by Beverly Glenn-Copeland, it is Maggie who is singing the high soprano part -- like an angel above -- enveloping us with her heavenly tones. youtu.be/0x-vgy1NwIg

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

If you find yourself flipflopping -- from feeling hopeful to feeling depressed -- about so many aspects of our human experience -- then this song may be for you. It touches on kindness, compassion, mercy, respect -- increasingly in short supply -- and a "universal spirit." youtu.be/cUVZUKgWjHc?...

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

A tribute to the Aga Khan that also discusses the various sub-groupings within Islam.... www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Pledge for Canada, 50K+ signatures so far, I invite you to sign it if it speaks to you: actionnetwork.org/petitions/pl...

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

A reminder. Canada-US relations are in the spotlight. Back in '64, Bob Dylan had some songs ready to sing on American TV. Ed Sullivan approved them, but CBS said no. So what did he do? He came to Canada and recorded a whole show for the CBC on its weekly program "Quest." youtu.be/26LC1lVxbSA

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

youtu.be/WhNqop7ua1g?... by Halifax Composer Paul Halley. Kelly Galbraith Team Canada

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

In memory of Kazuyoshi Akiyama (1941-2025). I can't find a clip of him conducting us in Vancouver Bach Choir with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 1975. But this 2 min clip of Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony will give you a taste of what it was like. RIP Maestro. youtu.be/R0Ib-UGmXYE?...

submitted 33 days ago • 0 comments

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025, Lotta's story. “Now when I walk the fields of the camp and see the ashes coming out of the earth, another soul has a name.” lotta56sparks.ca/remembering-...

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

“...the fundamental contradiction at the heart of Trump’s coming presidency is that he campaigned as the working man’s champion against the Washington swamp, but has now handed the reins of government over to a group of creatures from that same swamp...”. jacobin.com/2025/01/trum...

submitted 37 days ago • 1 comment

Today's 5-hour 28km power walk in #Toronto took me along Dundas West, The Junction, Prospect Cemetery, Beltline Trail, Davisville for a tasty hot chocolate, then Mount Pleasant Cemetery, followed by the Beltline Trail again to Sherbourne subway station and home. #BeltlineTrail is an absolute gem!

submitted 38 days ago • 0 comments

Here is a brief introduction to help get some conversations started as we explore this new app.

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

"Let me make one final plea, Mr President." www.facebook.com/bravenewfilm...

submitted 41 days ago • 1 comment

One of my life's highlights: I watched The Band perform "The Weight" in Calgary's McMahon Stadium, July 1970. R.I.P. Garth Hudson! youtu.be/7-XmvrZRKGc?...

submitted 41 days ago • 1 comment

#Breaking: Garth Hudson, the last living member of The Band, dead at 87

submitted 41 days ago • 30 comments

"Demain, dès l'aube," a song of mourning. Tomorrow at dawn, like Victor Hugo grieving the death of his daughter, I will go for a walk. And I will feel a deep sadness. At everything that has happened. In the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and countless other zones of armed conflict. youtu.be/7Ati3UuZTH4

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

Civil society has an important role in a democracy in holding leaders and political parties to account. Feminist, Indigenous and environmentalist movements have actively fulfilled that role. But what about organizations working in international development? www.mcleodgroup.ca/2025/01/upco...

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

There aren't many #acappella Mahler songs around to sing. Perhaps a #choral group might like to try this one, a world premiere awaits. One of the happiest tunes #Mahler wrote, he used it again in his 1st symphony. Give me a shout if you know of a #choir that might be interested. youtu.be/Cd7fZXZEDoM

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

If I am able to complete my 28th #marathon this year, it will be in large measure thanks to the beautiful #EchoValley Trail that hugs #Mimico Creek through much of #Etobicoke in western #Toronto. Stay tuned!

submitted 59 days ago • 0 comments

Peace must be the answer -- a song that expresses my wishes for 2025 -- dedicated to the victims of war and armed conflict: "Oh, hear our cries for an end to war. We pray with loving hearts for Peace, Lay down your guns, please no more war, we pray for Peace." youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo?...

submitted 62 days ago • 0 comments

If you've been spending time with a "wee lamb" this Christmas -- or wish that you had -- then perhaps this song might hit the right note for you. youtu.be/6YJYagZpjaY?...

submitted 64 days ago • 0 comments

Last night, while working on a new song, I thought I'd celebrate my recent song premieres in Poland and Sweden with a tasty Baltic Porter. Big mistake, as you can see. But as a bonus, perhaps I've landed on a future song title, "Bad Hair Night." :)

submitted 66 days ago • 0 comments

On St Stephen's Day, what better song to listen to than the Grateful Dead's 1969 live recording of "St Stephen", followed by their most remarkable song "The Eleven," in 11/4 time. Enjoy! youtu.be/2f5kDeuGkdA

submitted 67 days ago • 0 comments

A child is born. And begins to cry. And a mother tries to lull him to sleep. Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating -- with profound wishes for a more peaceful world in 2025. youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M?... #acappella #choral #music

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

A bit of Christmas Eve fun: www.thestar.com/business/opi...

submitted 69 days ago • 0 comments

"Rex Pacificus" is my Medieval-Modern, "Rock and Roll" Xmas carol, with Middle English and Latin lyrics: “Nowell, sing we, both all and some, now Rex Pacificus is y-come.” #acappella #choral #music youtu.be/r2QittnNSDY?...

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

Nostalgia. 8 years ago my first choral creation Rideau Carol was premiered by Pierre Massie & #StairwellCarollers. If you’re in #Ottawa you can hear the Carollers on Sat Dec 21, click here for tickets: www.stairwellcarollers.com/en/concerts-.... #acappella #choral #music youtu.be/Iv8V26G7kNo?...

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

The choice of Terry Fox for the new $5 banknote is both inspirational and universally applauded. However, the decision to move Laurier over to the $50 note is a missed opportunity.... lotta56sparks.ca/terry-fox-ye...

submitted 75 days ago • 0 comments