David Rain - Choral Composer
@davidraincomposer.bsky.social
After working 40 yrs in international development & support for newcomers to Canada, I have written 35 songs for choirs & I blog about humanitarian Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990).
https://davidrainchoralcomposer.ca/
https://lotta56sparks.ca/
https://davidrainchoralcomposer.ca/
https://lotta56sparks.ca/
Sneak preview #1: “Good King Wenceslas.” This is the first in a series of previews of my songs that will be performed on Friday November 28th, at the Vancouver memorial concert for my dear Uncle Duncan.
#vancouverchamberchoir #vancouver #concert #memorial #canadian #choral #composer #premiere
#vancouverchamberchoir #vancouver #concert #memorial #canadian #choral #composer #premiere
November 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Sneak preview #1: “Good King Wenceslas.” This is the first in a series of previews of my songs that will be performed on Friday November 28th, at the Vancouver memorial concert for my dear Uncle Duncan.
#vancouverchamberchoir #vancouver #concert #memorial #canadian #choral #composer #premiere
#vancouverchamberchoir #vancouver #concert #memorial #canadian #choral #composer #premiere
#VancouverChamberChoir will be singing a Nov 28 memorial concert for my dear Uncle Duncan.
If you know someone who might like to attend, pls let them know. It's VERY special, 15 of my songs will be world premieres!
For more info and tickets:
vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/memori...
If you know someone who might like to attend, pls let them know. It's VERY special, 15 of my songs will be world premieres!
For more info and tickets:
vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/memori...
November 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
#VancouverChamberChoir will be singing a Nov 28 memorial concert for my dear Uncle Duncan.
If you know someone who might like to attend, pls let them know. It's VERY special, 15 of my songs will be world premieres!
For more info and tickets:
vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/memori...
If you know someone who might like to attend, pls let them know. It's VERY special, 15 of my songs will be world premieres!
For more info and tickets:
vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/memori...
Today is #RemembranceDay here in Canada, and my thoughts turn towards my beloved grandfather who served on the front lines in World War I.
My thoughts also turn towards the death and destruction caused by wars throughout our human history.
Oh, for a world without war….
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
My thoughts also turn towards the death and destruction caused by wars throughout our human history.
Oh, for a world without war….
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
David Rain: "Peace must be the answer!"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Today is #RemembranceDay here in Canada, and my thoughts turn towards my beloved grandfather who served on the front lines in World War I.
My thoughts also turn towards the death and destruction caused by wars throughout our human history.
Oh, for a world without war….
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
My thoughts also turn towards the death and destruction caused by wars throughout our human history.
Oh, for a world without war….
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
Tomorrow is #RemembranceDay in Canada. I think of my grandfather, Jimmy Rain, to whom this song is dedicated.
He started life in Glasgow, came with his family to Winnipeg, was shipped back to Europe to serve as a runner in
WWI, and was haunted by that experience.
Pacem.
youtu.be/CiTQTmUddl0
He started life in Glasgow, came with his family to Winnipeg, was shipped back to Europe to serve as a runner in
WWI, and was haunted by that experience.
Pacem.
youtu.be/CiTQTmUddl0
A Cry for Peace: "In Flanders Fields"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Tomorrow is #RemembranceDay in Canada. I think of my grandfather, Jimmy Rain, to whom this song is dedicated.
He started life in Glasgow, came with his family to Winnipeg, was shipped back to Europe to serve as a runner in
WWI, and was haunted by that experience.
Pacem.
youtu.be/CiTQTmUddl0
He started life in Glasgow, came with his family to Winnipeg, was shipped back to Europe to serve as a runner in
WWI, and was haunted by that experience.
Pacem.
youtu.be/CiTQTmUddl0
Lotta Hitschmanova, 1969: “Scientists tell us there is no longer any excuse for human starvation, yet 2/3 of mankind remain hungry, while the world spends 150 billion dollars a year on armaments.”
lotta56sparks.ca/cuts-to-2025...
lotta56sparks.ca/cuts-to-2025...
Cuts to 2025 Foreign Aid budget – what would Lotta say?
“Scientists tell us there is no longer any excuse for human starvation, yet 2/3 of mankind remain hungry, while the world spends 150 billion dollars a year on armaments.” [Lotta Hitschm…
lotta56sparks.ca
November 6, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Lotta Hitschmanova, 1969: “Scientists tell us there is no longer any excuse for human starvation, yet 2/3 of mankind remain hungry, while the world spends 150 billion dollars a year on armaments.”
lotta56sparks.ca/cuts-to-2025...
lotta56sparks.ca/cuts-to-2025...
My final day in Denver, I had a “debt” to pay. I ran a "make up" 5km race along beautiful Cherry Creek Pathway.
A big thank you to everyone who's donated to support NCFST summer camps for indigenous kids, we’ve raised $436 so far!
Donations still gratefully accepted:
raceroster.com/events/2025/...
A big thank you to everyone who's donated to support NCFST summer camps for indigenous kids, we’ve raised $436 so far!
Donations still gratefully accepted:
raceroster.com/events/2025/...
October 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
My final day in Denver, I had a “debt” to pay. I ran a "make up" 5km race along beautiful Cherry Creek Pathway.
A big thank you to everyone who's donated to support NCFST summer camps for indigenous kids, we’ve raised $436 so far!
Donations still gratefully accepted:
raceroster.com/events/2025/...
A big thank you to everyone who's donated to support NCFST summer camps for indigenous kids, we’ve raised $436 so far!
Donations still gratefully accepted:
raceroster.com/events/2025/...
A thrill of a lifetime last nite – hearing Tom Morgan and his Ars Nova Singers – in a spectacular live performance of my a cappella arrangement – of Gustav Mahler’s song "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld.”
And the rest of the concert was pure gold too – special guests Voces8 sang their hearts out.
And the rest of the concert was pure gold too – special guests Voces8 sang their hearts out.
October 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A thrill of a lifetime last nite – hearing Tom Morgan and his Ars Nova Singers – in a spectacular live performance of my a cappella arrangement – of Gustav Mahler’s song "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld.”
And the rest of the concert was pure gold too – special guests Voces8 sang their hearts out.
And the rest of the concert was pure gold too – special guests Voces8 sang their hearts out.
Central Presbyterian Church, Denver. Tonite’s the nite – the acclaimed Voces8 joins the Ars Nova Singers – to help them celebrate their 40th anniversary in song – with a brand new Gustav Mahler a cappella arrangement by a Canadian composer as a tasty “appetizer.” 😊 Be there or be square!
October 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Central Presbyterian Church, Denver. Tonite’s the nite – the acclaimed Voces8 joins the Ars Nova Singers – to help them celebrate their 40th anniversary in song – with a brand new Gustav Mahler a cappella arrangement by a Canadian composer as a tasty “appetizer.” 😊 Be there or be square!
Here’s a song for #WorldFoodDay -- dedicated to my 3 #Biodiversity mentors -- Melaku Worede, John Martin and Awegechew Teshome.
“Bless the fruits and bless the greens. Bless the tubers and bless the beans. Bless the beauty of the genes, that were worked by human hands.”
youtu.be/1cJZs6AtfNQ
“Bless the fruits and bless the greens. Bless the tubers and bless the beans. Bless the beauty of the genes, that were worked by human hands.”
youtu.be/1cJZs6AtfNQ
David Rain: "A Hymn to Biodiversity"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Here’s a song for #WorldFoodDay -- dedicated to my 3 #Biodiversity mentors -- Melaku Worede, John Martin and Awegechew Teshome.
“Bless the fruits and bless the greens. Bless the tubers and bless the beans. Bless the beauty of the genes, that were worked by human hands.”
youtu.be/1cJZs6AtfNQ
“Bless the fruits and bless the greens. Bless the tubers and bless the beans. Bless the beauty of the genes, that were worked by human hands.”
youtu.be/1cJZs6AtfNQ
A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who is celebrating today. Though our world remains a troubled place, there is still so much to be thankful for. May we each find a loving spirit like Red Wagon to embrace us and guide us on our life's journey.
October 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who is celebrating today. Though our world remains a troubled place, there is still so much to be thankful for. May we each find a loving spirit like Red Wagon to embrace us and guide us on our life's journey.
Amazing news – my choral arrangement of Gustav Mahler’s beautiful song -- "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld" -- has had its world premiere in Boulder, Colorado!
I am so grateful to Tom Morgan and his wonderful @arsnovasingers.bsky.social for giving birth to this challenging a cappella arrangement.
I am so grateful to Tom Morgan and his wonderful @arsnovasingers.bsky.social for giving birth to this challenging a cappella arrangement.
October 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Amazing news – my choral arrangement of Gustav Mahler’s beautiful song -- "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld" -- has had its world premiere in Boulder, Colorado!
I am so grateful to Tom Morgan and his wonderful @arsnovasingers.bsky.social for giving birth to this challenging a cappella arrangement.
I am so grateful to Tom Morgan and his wonderful @arsnovasingers.bsky.social for giving birth to this challenging a cappella arrangement.
It's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada -- and if you haven't heard Willie Dunn's 1968 song video before -- "The Ballad of Crowfoot" -- perhaps have a listen today -- it won't leave you unmoved.
youtu.be/l-32jc58bgI
youtu.be/l-32jc58bgI
THE BALLAD OF CROWFOOT | Full Documentary | National Film Board of Canada
YouTube video by NFB
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 10:29 AM
It's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada -- and if you haven't heard Willie Dunn's 1968 song video before -- "The Ballad of Crowfoot" -- perhaps have a listen today -- it won't leave you unmoved.
youtu.be/l-32jc58bgI
youtu.be/l-32jc58bgI
Well, this is cool -- 32 of my songs have now had 1000+ viewings on Youtube. Never in a million years did I think this would be one of the results of my "late in life" choral composing project. Thanks to everyone who has had a listen!
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M?...
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M?...
Lulajże Jezuniu - Young Cathedral Voices - Uppsala, Sweden - Dec 13 2024 - arranged by David Rain
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
September 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Well, this is cool -- 32 of my songs have now had 1000+ viewings on Youtube. Never in a million years did I think this would be one of the results of my "late in life" choral composing project. Thanks to everyone who has had a listen!
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M?...
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M?...
A song for #WorldPeaceDay: "Lay down your guns, please no war, let's work for Peace!"
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
David Rain: "Peace must be the answer!"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A song for #WorldPeaceDay: "Lay down your guns, please no war, let's work for Peace!"
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
youtu.be/8Fw7AztSFRo
23 months of death & destruction in #Gaza intensifies with no end in sight. In 1950s to 1970s, a #Jewish refugee to #Canada inspired thousands to support #Palestinian refugees in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon & Syria. Here is her story, & she still cries out for #Peace! lotta56sparks.ca/lotta-hitsch...
Lotta Hitschmanova and the Middle East: a Voice from the Past cries out for Peace
From the 1940s to the 1970s, Lotta Hitschmanova was perhaps the most famous Canadian woman. And yet, few today are aware of her personal story — that she was a Jewish refugee to Canada who in…
lotta56sparks.ca
September 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
23 months of death & destruction in #Gaza intensifies with no end in sight. In 1950s to 1970s, a #Jewish refugee to #Canada inspired thousands to support #Palestinian refugees in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon & Syria. Here is her story, & she still cries out for #Peace! lotta56sparks.ca/lotta-hitsch...
On Sept 4, 1843, Victor Hugo’s daughter Léopoldine died in a tragic boating accident. Hugo fell into a deep depression. Years later he wrote a poem, “Demain dès l'aube” that expresses his unfathomable grief, as he contemplates walking to her grave, “Tomorrow, at dawn.”
youtu.be/7Ati3UuZTH4?...
youtu.be/7Ati3UuZTH4?...
David Rain/Victor Hugo: "Demain, dès l'aube"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
September 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
On Sept 4, 1843, Victor Hugo’s daughter Léopoldine died in a tragic boating accident. Hugo fell into a deep depression. Years later he wrote a poem, “Demain dès l'aube” that expresses his unfathomable grief, as he contemplates walking to her grave, “Tomorrow, at dawn.”
youtu.be/7Ati3UuZTH4?...
youtu.be/7Ati3UuZTH4?...
Are you looking for a nice German carol for your choir to sing this Xmas? My medieval-modern setting of “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” is published on MusicSpoke, where you can view the score, and also listen to the world premiere recording by the Stairwell Carollers.
musicspoke.com/downloads/es...
musicspoke.com/downloads/es...
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen| David Rain | MusicSpoke
David Rain's arrangement of this timeless German Christmas carol for unaccompanied mixed choir.
musicspoke.com
August 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Are you looking for a nice German carol for your choir to sing this Xmas? My medieval-modern setting of “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” is published on MusicSpoke, where you can view the score, and also listen to the world premiere recording by the Stairwell Carollers.
musicspoke.com/downloads/es...
musicspoke.com/downloads/es...
An a cappella song in memory of a beloved feline friend, Shadow (1964-1981).
Beautifully sung by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.
Happy International Cat Day!
youtu.be/-z2xbsyccpY
Beautifully sung by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.
Happy International Cat Day!
youtu.be/-z2xbsyccpY
David Rain/"Shadow" (a beloved cat)
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
August 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
An a cappella song in memory of a beloved feline friend, Shadow (1964-1981).
Beautifully sung by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.
Happy International Cat Day!
youtu.be/-z2xbsyccpY
Beautifully sung by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.
Happy International Cat Day!
youtu.be/-z2xbsyccpY
A song to celebrate the 628th birthday of that great pioneering Renaissance composer, Guillaume Dufay (1397-1474).
The narrator is singing directly to his “sad heart,” begging the heart to let go of the woman who is just not interested in him, but the heart just won’t let go.
youtu.be/vvT0zhxU_zk
The narrator is singing directly to his “sad heart,” begging the heart to let go of the woman who is just not interested in him, but the heart just won’t let go.
youtu.be/vvT0zhxU_zk
Guillaume Dufay/David Rain: "Malheureux cueur"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
August 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM
A song to celebrate the 628th birthday of that great pioneering Renaissance composer, Guillaume Dufay (1397-1474).
The narrator is singing directly to his “sad heart,” begging the heart to let go of the woman who is just not interested in him, but the heart just won’t let go.
youtu.be/vvT0zhxU_zk
The narrator is singing directly to his “sad heart,” begging the heart to let go of the woman who is just not interested in him, but the heart just won’t let go.
youtu.be/vvT0zhxU_zk
After a career as a lawyer and judge -- and with no formal training -- my beloved Uncle Duncan (1932-2025) explored the cause of gravity -- and other challenging questions of theoretical physics.
Here is a new website devoted to his remarkable insights and published papers:
duncanshawphysics.ca.
Here is a new website devoted to his remarkable insights and published papers:
duncanshawphysics.ca.
July 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
After a career as a lawyer and judge -- and with no formal training -- my beloved Uncle Duncan (1932-2025) explored the cause of gravity -- and other challenging questions of theoretical physics.
Here is a new website devoted to his remarkable insights and published papers:
duncanshawphysics.ca.
Here is a new website devoted to his remarkable insights and published papers:
duncanshawphysics.ca.
July 18, 2019. 2 days after a “preview” performance in Innsbruck, Nicol Matt led the Chamber Choir of Europe in the world premiere of my Brahms "Ave Maria" arrangement in the small German town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Never to be forgotten.
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
David Rain: Ave Maria
YouTube video by Blaue Laterne
youtu.be
July 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
July 18, 2019. 2 days after a “preview” performance in Innsbruck, Nicol Matt led the Chamber Choir of Europe in the world premiere of my Brahms "Ave Maria" arrangement in the small German town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Never to be forgotten.
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
A very special memory -- 6 years ago today -- for the very first time -- I heard one of my choral creations sung in Europe.
My “Ave Maria” arrangement of a favourite #Brahms piano piece was sung in #nnsbruck by the #ChamberChoirofEurope led by Nicol Matt.
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
My “Ave Maria” arrangement of a favourite #Brahms piano piece was sung in #nnsbruck by the #ChamberChoirofEurope led by Nicol Matt.
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
July 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
A very special memory -- 6 years ago today -- for the very first time -- I heard one of my choral creations sung in Europe.
My “Ave Maria” arrangement of a favourite #Brahms piano piece was sung in #nnsbruck by the #ChamberChoirofEurope led by Nicol Matt.
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
My “Ave Maria” arrangement of a favourite #Brahms piano piece was sung in #nnsbruck by the #ChamberChoirofEurope led by Nicol Matt.
#canadian #acappella #choral #composer
A Sunday morning discovery, one of the most hauntingly beautiful videos I have ever seen -- by the Italian choir Libera Cantoria Pisani led by Filippo Furlan.
A song by Italian composer Cecilia Seghizzi (1908-2019), and yes, you read that right, she lived till the age of 111.
youtu.be/BrvDoLWEtZA
A song by Italian composer Cecilia Seghizzi (1908-2019), and yes, you read that right, she lived till the age of 111.
youtu.be/BrvDoLWEtZA
È sera sul mare (Cecilia Seghizzi) - Libera Cantoria Pisani conducted by Filippo Furlan
YouTube video by Libera Cantoria Pisani
youtu.be
July 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A Sunday morning discovery, one of the most hauntingly beautiful videos I have ever seen -- by the Italian choir Libera Cantoria Pisani led by Filippo Furlan.
A song by Italian composer Cecilia Seghizzi (1908-2019), and yes, you read that right, she lived till the age of 111.
youtu.be/BrvDoLWEtZA
A song by Italian composer Cecilia Seghizzi (1908-2019), and yes, you read that right, she lived till the age of 111.
youtu.be/BrvDoLWEtZA
For fans of Gustav Mahler – who turns 165 today – here’s an a cappella setting of "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld" – his beautiful song that became the 1st theme of his 1st symphony – with a spectacular recording by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.
youtu.be/Cd7fZXZEDoM
youtu.be/Cd7fZXZEDoM
Gustav Mahler/David Rain: "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld"
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
July 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM
For fans of Gustav Mahler – who turns 165 today – here’s an a cappella setting of "Ging heut' morgen über's Feld" – his beautiful song that became the 1st theme of his 1st symphony – with a spectacular recording by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.
youtu.be/Cd7fZXZEDoM
youtu.be/Cd7fZXZEDoM
As dawn breaks on #CanadaDay red streaks fill the air. Clouds float in awe, caressing the heavens. Rivers start to stir. Schools of leaping fish. They sing us their love songs.
Lyrics by me, music by #ErikSatie, whom we also honour today on the 100th anniversary of his death.
youtu.be/PcMWw1INsPY
Lyrics by me, music by #ErikSatie, whom we also honour today on the 100th anniversary of his death.
youtu.be/PcMWw1INsPY
Erik Satie/David Rain: "As dawn breaks”
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
July 1, 2025 at 7:03 AM
As dawn breaks on #CanadaDay red streaks fill the air. Clouds float in awe, caressing the heavens. Rivers start to stir. Schools of leaping fish. They sing us their love songs.
Lyrics by me, music by #ErikSatie, whom we also honour today on the 100th anniversary of his death.
youtu.be/PcMWw1INsPY
Lyrics by me, music by #ErikSatie, whom we also honour today on the 100th anniversary of his death.
youtu.be/PcMWw1INsPY