Virtual Sailor’s Chorus

When I finished writing my arrangement of the traditional sea shanty, “Haul Away, Joe” for TTBB choir, no choirs were available to sing and record it due to the Covid pandemic. I put out a call for volunteer tenors and basses on Facebook. To my surprise, I received almost 100 replies from around the world!

Each volunteer sang on their own with a guide track, unable to hear the others singing. The audio tracks were then mixed together at Hillview Cottage. A HUGE “Thank You” goes to all the singers who channelled their inner pirate or sailor to participate!

Here is the result:

Hillview Cottage At Home Chorus

The At Home Chorus was created in March 2020 in response to the Covid 19 coronavirus pandemic.  Musicians around the world suddenly found themselves at home full-time, unable to rehearse or perform with other musicians.  Many wanted to continue to learn and perform new music. 

At the same time, I had just finished composing new choral music, but no choirs were available to learn and perform them.  Using social media, I put out the call for singers and instrumentalists who might be interested in trying a “choir from home” project.  The Hillview Cottage At Home Chorus was born!

The choir includes participants from various choirs, University music students and operatic soloists from across Canada!  Instrumentalists include orchestral and solo performers.

“Searching” (audio recording only)

“Searching” (slide show with text)