SAM DABRUSIN

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Sam Dabrusin specializes in a cappella arrangements and compositions, in styles varying from classical and jazz to barbershop and indie rock. Based in Vancouver, Sam has been commissioned for arrangements from quartets and choruses across Canada. His radio jingles have been heard on both C-FOX and CiTR. Sam currently sings with the Vancouver Cantata Singers, the Shaughnessy Heights United Church Choir, The Squares barbershop chorus, and The Hot Teas contemporary a cappella ensemble, and acts as co-director for the latter two groups.

Coventry Carol

arr. Sam Dabrusin

SATB a cappella – CP 1758 – 3:08

Check out the out the sumptuous treatment given to this famous plaintive carol. Sophisticated and lush harmonies are easy to sing with Sam’s voice leading skills. Listen to the premiere performance by the Vancouver Cantata Singers (one of Canada’s finest choirs).

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Forgotten Warriors

by Russell Wallace: arr. Sam Dabrusin

SATB a cappella – CP 2318 – duration 4:25

Russell Wallace created this song’s melody for the film “Forgotten Warriors” (Loretta Todd, National Film Board, 1996, available on the internet). The song recalls the freely-sung traditional First Nations music, which sometimes has a strong rhythmic pulse and at other times enjoys rhythmic freedom. Russell Wallace and Sam Dabrusin (member of VCS) collaborated on this arrangement for VCS.

watch the National Film Board Movie

The film tells of our Indigenous veterans’ contributions during the two World Wars and how these veterans were treated upon returning to Canada. Although fighting for the Crown gave them Canadian citizenship, it cost them their Status under the Indian Act and no longer had a community to return to. They also soon discovered they were not being given the kind of employment opportunities and financial and housing assistance other veterans enjoyed. As Indigenous Veterans Day approaches (November 8th), it is important that we remember these forgotten warriors. Weh hey yo we (These lyrics are based on indigenous vocables from the western part of North America.)

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The Monkeys Lost Their Keys

by Sam Dabrusin

SATB a cappella – CP 1868 – duration 2:45

Sam is up to his usual mischief and monkey-business with this clever choral composition. The poem by Duncan Shields is hilarious with witty puns and invented words.

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O Siem

by Susan Aglukark; arr. Sam Dabrusin

SSAA a cappella – CP 2260 – duration 4:18
SATB a cappella – in progress
TTBB a cappella – in progress

“O Siem” is a song written by Inuit musician Susan Aglukark and Chad Irschick. It was recorded by Aglukark on her 1995 album “This Child”, and was released that year as the album’s first single. The song went to number one on both the Canadian RPM countryand adult contemporary charts that year, and peaked at number three on the popcharts. Alternating between English and Halkomelem, the song was the first top-10 hit in Canada for an Inuk performer. Lyrically, it is a call to welcome everyone – the title means “joyful greeting”

LOOK & LISTEN

SAM DABRUSIN

Coventry Carol

Forgotten Warriors

The Monkeys Lost Their Keys

O Siem

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