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/
I am fundraising for the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST), as I attempt my 29th marathon in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Oct 18. Thank you for your support!
#NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #September30 #NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters
#NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #September30 #NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters
September 30, 2026 at 10:04 AM
I am fundraising for the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST), as I attempt my 29th marathon in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Oct 18. Thank you for your support!
#NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #September30 #NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters
#NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #September30 #NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters
Thanks to my sponsors, I’m now up to $600 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon!
And yes, in case it’s a hot day on Oct 18, I thought I’d get in some “heat training” to better prepare myself for the gruelling 42km, just in case. 😊
And yes, in case it’s a hot day on Oct 18, I thought I’d get in some “heat training” to better prepare myself for the gruelling 42km, just in case. 😊
September 29, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Thanks to my sponsors, I’m now up to $600 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon!
And yes, in case it’s a hot day on Oct 18, I thought I’d get in some “heat training” to better prepare myself for the gruelling 42km, just in case. 😊
And yes, in case it’s a hot day on Oct 18, I thought I’d get in some “heat training” to better prepare myself for the gruelling 42km, just in case. 😊
To help celebrate the #FeastOfSaintWenceslaus on Sept 28, here is my setting of “Good King Wenceslas” in a sparkling performance by Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
September 28, 2026 at 2:09 AM
To help celebrate the #FeastOfSaintWenceslaus on Sept 28, here is my setting of “Good King Wenceslas” in a sparkling performance by Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
I’m jumping for joy – thanks to my generous sponsors – we’ve now raised over $400 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon!
September 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM
I’m jumping for joy – thanks to my generous sponsors – we’ve now raised over $400 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon!
A song for #WorldPeaceDay – “Peace must be the answer!” – with thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this powerful performance.
#InternationalDayOfPeace
#InternationalDayOfPeace
September 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM
A song for #WorldPeaceDay – “Peace must be the answer!” – with thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this powerful performance.
#InternationalDayOfPeace
#InternationalDayOfPeace
There once was a time (10 years ago today!) when I took "walk breaks" in my runs. These days, it's "run breaks" in my fast walks. The nice thing, though, is that I can smell the flowers and hear the birds much better these days! 🙂
September 18, 2026 at 1:30 PM
There once was a time (10 years ago today!) when I took "walk breaks" in my runs. These days, it's "run breaks" in my fast walks. The nice thing, though, is that I can smell the flowers and hear the birds much better these days! 🙂
Yeah! I’m now up to $350 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, sincere thanks to all my sponsors!
I’m quite excited, I now have a matching NCFST outfit: running cap, Tshirt, fanny pack! Or is it a belly pack? 😊
Oct 18, here we come!
I’m quite excited, I now have a matching NCFST outfit: running cap, Tshirt, fanny pack! Or is it a belly pack? 😊
Oct 18, here we come!
September 16, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Yeah! I’m now up to $350 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, sincere thanks to all my sponsors!
I’m quite excited, I now have a matching NCFST outfit: running cap, Tshirt, fanny pack! Or is it a belly pack? 😊
Oct 18, here we come!
I’m quite excited, I now have a matching NCFST outfit: running cap, Tshirt, fanny pack! Or is it a belly pack? 😊
Oct 18, here we come!
I’m now up to $240 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, sincere thanks to all my sponsors!
Yesterday’s marathon training run took me from Etobicoke all the way to Biidaasige Park (what a gem that is) and back, phew.
Yesterday’s marathon training run took me from Etobicoke all the way to Biidaasige Park (what a gem that is) and back, phew.
September 14, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I’m now up to $240 in my fundraising for Native Child and Family Services of Toronto in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, sincere thanks to all my sponsors!
Yesterday’s marathon training run took me from Etobicoke all the way to Biidaasige Park (what a gem that is) and back, phew.
Yesterday’s marathon training run took me from Etobicoke all the way to Biidaasige Park (what a gem that is) and back, phew.
On Oct 18, I will be attempting my 29th marathon in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and for the 3rd year running I will be fundraising for NCFST, the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. Stay tuned……
#TOwaterfront42km
#TOwaterfront42km
September 6, 2026 at 1:22 PM
On Oct 18, I will be attempting my 29th marathon in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and for the 3rd year running I will be fundraising for NCFST, the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. Stay tuned……
#TOwaterfront42km
#TOwaterfront42km
I was on a monitoring trip to Rasuwa, Nepal 25 years ago. I visited several villages in this remote district where USC Canada (now SeedChange) was supporting agricultural and community development projects. My heart is broken from the recent floods, Syapru Besi was one of the villages I visited.
August 29, 2026 at 4:44 PM
I was on a monitoring trip to Rasuwa, Nepal 25 years ago. I visited several villages in this remote district where USC Canada (now SeedChange) was supporting agricultural and community development projects. My heart is broken from the recent floods, Syapru Besi was one of the villages I visited.
Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990) was one of Canada's most beloved humanitarians.
“Ode to Lotta: A Canadian Choral Cantata” will be presented on her 117th birthday, Nov 28 at 3pm, in the sanctuary of the Vancouver Unitarians.
For tickets: vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/ode_to...
“Ode to Lotta: A Canadian Choral Cantata” will be presented on her 117th birthday, Nov 28 at 3pm, in the sanctuary of the Vancouver Unitarians.
For tickets: vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/ode_to...
August 22, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990) was one of Canada's most beloved humanitarians.
“Ode to Lotta: A Canadian Choral Cantata” will be presented on her 117th birthday, Nov 28 at 3pm, in the sanctuary of the Vancouver Unitarians.
For tickets: vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/ode_to...
“Ode to Lotta: A Canadian Choral Cantata” will be presented on her 117th birthday, Nov 28 at 3pm, in the sanctuary of the Vancouver Unitarians.
For tickets: vancouverchamberchoir.vbotickets.com/event/ode_to...
The Tyger and The Lamb – in memory of #WilliamBlake – who died #otd in 1827.
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this #WorldPremiere recording.
youtu.be/kvDPtvKSygo
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this #WorldPremiere recording.
youtu.be/kvDPtvKSygo
The Tyger and The Lamb - William Blake - David Rain - Vancouver Chamber Choir
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
August 12, 2026 at 7:39 PM
The Tyger and The Lamb – in memory of #WilliamBlake – who died #otd in 1827.
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this #WorldPremiere recording.
youtu.be/kvDPtvKSygo
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this #WorldPremiere recording.
youtu.be/kvDPtvKSygo
Happy #InternationalCatDay!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful #worldpremiere recording.
Shadow was a beloved feline friend who lived from 1964 to 1981.
youtu.be/gvqENBXeltI
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful #worldpremiere recording.
Shadow was a beloved feline friend who lived from 1964 to 1981.
youtu.be/gvqENBXeltI
Shadow (a beloved cat) - David Rain - Vancouver Chamber Choir
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
August 8, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Happy #InternationalCatDay!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful #worldpremiere recording.
Shadow was a beloved feline friend who lived from 1964 to 1981.
youtu.be/gvqENBXeltI
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful #worldpremiere recording.
Shadow was a beloved feline friend who lived from 1964 to 1981.
youtu.be/gvqENBXeltI
Today is Guillaume Dufay’s 629th birthday – and I am absolutely thrilled to share this world premiere recording of my SATB arrangement of Dufay’s haunting 3-part chanson – “Malheureux cueur” – beautifully sung by the early music ensemble Helios on Feb 22, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona.
youtu.be/AT5Qd47_ojw
youtu.be/AT5Qd47_ojw
Malheureux Cueur, Guillaume Dufay (Arr. David Rain)
YouTube video by HELIOS: a modern renaissance
youtu.be
August 5, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Today is Guillaume Dufay’s 629th birthday – and I am absolutely thrilled to share this world premiere recording of my SATB arrangement of Dufay’s haunting 3-part chanson – “Malheureux cueur” – beautifully sung by the early music ensemble Helios on Feb 22, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona.
youtu.be/AT5Qd47_ojw
youtu.be/AT5Qd47_ojw
Looking for a Polish Xmas lullaby to sing this December?
How about an arrangement of “Lulajże Jezuniu?”
With thanks to Margareta Raab and Young Cathedral Voices for this beautiful live recording on Dec 13, 2024 in Uppsala, Sweden.
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M
How about an arrangement of “Lulajże Jezuniu?”
With thanks to Margareta Raab and Young Cathedral Voices for this beautiful live recording on Dec 13, 2024 in Uppsala, Sweden.
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
July 31, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Looking for a Polish Xmas lullaby to sing this December?
How about an arrangement of “Lulajże Jezuniu?”
With thanks to Margareta Raab and Young Cathedral Voices for this beautiful live recording on Dec 13, 2024 in Uppsala, Sweden.
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M
How about an arrangement of “Lulajże Jezuniu?”
With thanks to Margareta Raab and Young Cathedral Voices for this beautiful live recording on Dec 13, 2024 in Uppsala, Sweden.
youtu.be/XOnLWk2nW0M
Looking for a Middle English song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Rex Pacificus,” with its rollicking chorus: “Nowell, sing we, both all and some, now Rex Pacificus is y-come!”
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
youtu.be/TyO7VMlG7vs
How about “Rex Pacificus,” with its rollicking chorus: “Nowell, sing we, both all and some, now Rex Pacificus is y-come!”
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
youtu.be/TyO7VMlG7vs
Rex Pacificus - David Rain - Vancouver Chamber Choir
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
July 30, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Looking for a Middle English song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Rex Pacificus,” with its rollicking chorus: “Nowell, sing we, both all and some, now Rex Pacificus is y-come!”
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
youtu.be/TyO7VMlG7vs
How about “Rex Pacificus,” with its rollicking chorus: “Nowell, sing we, both all and some, now Rex Pacificus is y-come!”
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
youtu.be/TyO7VMlG7vs
Looking for a new song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Rideau Carol” – a fun wintery bilingual Xmas carol – with its evocative cascading refrain.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and the Stairwell Carollers for this 2016 world premiere.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/Iv8V26G7kNo
How about “Rideau Carol” – a fun wintery bilingual Xmas carol – with its evocative cascading refrain.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and the Stairwell Carollers for this 2016 world premiere.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/Iv8V26G7kNo
The Rideau Carol - David Rain, The Stairwell Carollers
YouTube video by Stairwell Carollers
youtu.be
July 29, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Looking for a new song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Rideau Carol” – a fun wintery bilingual Xmas carol – with its evocative cascading refrain.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and the Stairwell Carollers for this 2016 world premiere.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/Iv8V26G7kNo
How about “Rideau Carol” – a fun wintery bilingual Xmas carol – with its evocative cascading refrain.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and the Stairwell Carollers for this 2016 world premiere.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/Iv8V26G7kNo
Looking for a new song to sing this Xmas 2026?
Perhaps “A New Mystery Unfoldeth” might be of interest – It imagines the birth of a divine child, a girl.
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/ePGo2LbLk9w
Perhaps “A New Mystery Unfoldeth” might be of interest – It imagines the birth of a divine child, a girl.
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/ePGo2LbLk9w
A New Mystery Unfoldeth - David Rain - Vancouver Chamber Choir
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
July 28, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Looking for a new song to sing this Xmas 2026?
Perhaps “A New Mystery Unfoldeth” might be of interest – It imagines the birth of a divine child, a girl.
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/ePGo2LbLk9w
Perhaps “A New Mystery Unfoldeth” might be of interest – It imagines the birth of a divine child, a girl.
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/ePGo2LbLk9w
Looking for a song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Good King Wenceslas” – WARNING – this is NOT what you’re expecting!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/ubwvGvdvH6U
How about “Good King Wenceslas” – WARNING – this is NOT what you’re expecting!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/ubwvGvdvH6U
Good King Wenceslas - David Rain - Vancouver Chamber Choir
YouTube video by David Rain, Choral Composer
youtu.be
July 27, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Looking for a song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Good King Wenceslas” – WARNING – this is NOT what you’re expecting!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/ubwvGvdvH6U
How about “Good King Wenceslas” – WARNING – this is NOT what you’re expecting!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this spectacular recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
youtu.be/ubwvGvdvH6U
Looking for a song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” – a 21st century arrangement of this classic German carol.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and my buddies in the Stairwell Carollers for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/eczw6-taEFU
How about “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” – a 21st century arrangement of this classic German carol.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and my buddies in the Stairwell Carollers for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/eczw6-taEFU
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, The Stairwell Carollers
YouTube video by Stairwell Carollers
youtu.be
July 26, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Looking for a song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” – a 21st century arrangement of this classic German carol.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and my buddies in the Stairwell Carollers for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/eczw6-taEFU
How about “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” – a 21st century arrangement of this classic German carol.
With thanks to Pierre Massie and my buddies in the Stairwell Carollers for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at MusicSpoke.
youtu.be/eczw6-taEFU
Looking for a song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “In natali Domini” – a 21st century arrangement of a medieval Xmas carol – your Altos will love this!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
How about “In natali Domini” – a 21st century arrangement of a medieval Xmas carol – your Altos will love this!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
July 25, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Looking for a song to sing this Xmas 2026?
How about “In natali Domini” – a 21st century arrangement of a medieval Xmas carol – your Altos will love this!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
How about “In natali Domini” – a 21st century arrangement of a medieval Xmas carol – your Altos will love this!
With thanks to Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir for this beautiful recording.
Scores available at Cypress Choral Music.
Soccer and golf, no time for composing yesterday, but this morning a nostalgic wave took me back to playing links golf in Scotland. It was a 12 holer, the Shiskine, quite unique, and a stunning setting (but watch out for the gorse), on the isle of Arran, said to be the “birthplace” of geology.
July 20, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Soccer and golf, no time for composing yesterday, but this morning a nostalgic wave took me back to playing links golf in Scotland. It was a 12 holer, the Shiskine, quite unique, and a stunning setting (but watch out for the gorse), on the isle of Arran, said to be the “birthplace” of geology.
On July 18, 2019, John Rutter received the European Sacred Music Award in the German town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. I was fortunate to have my “Ave Maria” arrangement on the same program. Heartfelt thanks to Nicol Matt and the Chamber Choir of Europe for this beautiful performance.
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
David Rain: Ave Maria
YouTube video by Blaue Laterne
youtu.be
July 18, 2026 at 10:40 AM
On July 18, 2019, John Rutter received the European Sacred Music Award in the German town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. I was fortunate to have my “Ave Maria” arrangement on the same program. Heartfelt thanks to Nicol Matt and the Chamber Choir of Europe for this beautiful performance.
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
youtu.be/z2nh40PPpu0
7 years ago today – Innsbruck, Austria – my life changed. Nicol Matt and the 16 wonderful singers in the Chamber Choir of Europe gave birth to “Ave Maria,” my arrangement of a beautiful #Brahms Intermezzo. With deepest gratitude to all – never to be forgotten.
July 16, 2026 at 2:19 PM
7 years ago today – Innsbruck, Austria – my life changed. Nicol Matt and the 16 wonderful singers in the Chamber Choir of Europe gave birth to “Ave Maria,” my arrangement of a beautiful #Brahms Intermezzo. With deepest gratitude to all – never to be forgotten.
