JON WASHBURN

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Jon Washburn (b. 1942) is the longtime Conductor and Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir. Well known internationally for his mastery of choral technique and interpretation, he travels widely as guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and master teacher. He is also an active composer, arranger and editor and has had many compositions published, performed and recorded around the world. In 2001 Mr. Washburn was named a Member of the Order of Canada (the nation’s highest civilian honour) and in 2002 received Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his lifetime contribution to Canadian choral art.

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A DYLAN THOMAS CHRISTMAS

by Jon Washburn

SATB a cappella – complete book – $12.00 – CP 1654 duration – 41:30
Narration booklet – $5.00 (the prose of Dylan Thomas)
Choirs looking for the perfect half to their Christmas program will find this option very attractive. The music is lovely and eminently singable for any choir. Jon has arranged eleven familiar Christmas carols to accompany the reading of the Dylan Thomas classic – “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”. The mood created is delicious. Listen below to learn how the narration works with the singing. The Vancouver Chamber Choir had the reader (of Welsh descent) read from an arm-chair under a lamp, stage left, on a slightly elevated platform – very effective! The choral score is marked with narration cues – and the narrator’s script is marked with choir cues. Everything flows as smoothly as a sled over snow.

The Vancouver Chamber Choir, called “Canada’s jewel in the crown of choral singing”, recorded the entire work complete with narration under Jon’s direction. Give it a listen! – just click on a title. The CD is available for purchase. (click here if interested)

1) Still, still, still – 4:00 – also available separately – CP 1650 – $2.35 – see below
2) Fum, fum, fum – 1:30
3) The Huron Carol – 2:15
4) See amid the winter snow – 2:30 – also available separately – CP 1658 – $2.35 – see below
5) Ding, dong, merrily on high – 1:30
6) O Christmas tree – 2:00
7) God rest ye merry, gentlemen – 1:00
8) O little town of Bethlehem – 1:45
9) Here we come a-caroling – 1:15
10) Patapan – 1:30 – also available separately – CP 1657 – $2.50 – see below
11) Silent night – 3:30 click here to listen