DENIS DONNELLY
Based in Victoria, BC, Denis Donnelly is an experienced and multi-talented musician whose love affair with music has taken him in many creative directions over the years, as a singer, instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and conductor. For the past 20 years his main focus has been on choral music, for which he has drawn upon his diverse background with different genres and traditions, from folk to classical, and from Medieval to contemporary, as well as a life-long study of poetry, for inspiration and repertoire.
Very active as an arranger, Denis’s arrangements and compositions are in frequent use in both Soundings and the Gettin’ Higher Choir, as well as throughout North America, especially within the UBUNTU Choirs Network. His web site www.choralsongs.com has music appropriate for a wide range of choral groups, from simple and easily-taught rounds and chants to more complex arrangements suitable for concert performance.
In Beauty
by Denis Donnelly
SATB a cappella – CP 1604 – 3:30
With a text from Native American sources, Denis paints a beautiful invitation to see the beauty all around us and apply it to our lives every day.
Serving Girl’s Holiday
arr. Denis Donnelly
SATB a cappella – CP 1591 – 2:30
Singing words adapted from an anonymous piece of English folk poetry set to a rousing Medieval tune, this serving girl is dropping her shuttle as she looks forward to kicking up her heels in the village. A great choice for an up-tempo, secular a cappella song to enliven a holiday program.
I learned this song from the singing of the English folk singer Maddy Prior, who I have admired for many years – and I owe her debt of gratitude. – D.D