Mike Brewer

Laudibus : Ralph Vaughn Williams - A Cappella

Review: Mike Brewer and his award-winning chamber choir Laudibus have unearthed some rare and precious gems in this recording of a cappella choral music by one of England's best-loved composers. Little-known works both early and late nestle alongside repertory staples such as the glorious Mass in G minor in a program that puts Vaughan Williams' indebtedness to both the sacred and secular instincts of his Elizabethan predecessors on display.

Songlist: The Souls of the Righteous, Greensleeves, Three Shakespeare Songs , Prayer to the Father of Heaven, Mass in G minor , O Vos Omnes, Ca' the yowes, Love Is a Sickness, Three Elizabethan Part Songs, Silence and Music, Hearts Music

Review: The British choral music featured on this CD is dynamic. The opening Requiem by Priaulx Rainier is for tenor solo and unaccompanied choir. This very demanding piece was first performed by Peter Pears and the Purcell Singers. Based on the poem by David Gascoyne, the piece was written for the future victims of World War II. On A Deserted Shore, by Francis Routh, for soprano solo, double choir, semi-chorus, two pianos and percussion is a lament on the death of a loved one. The Three Partsongs by Alan Rawsthorne are also incredibly gorgeous. These incredibly difficult pieces are superbly performed by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, conducted by Michael Brewer. The featured soloists are Eileen Hulse, soprano and Mark Wilde, tenor

Songlist: Requiem , Part I, Part II, Part III, On a Deserted Shore , Andanta, Allegro, Vivace, Passacaglia, Andante maestoso, Three Partsongs , A Rose for Lidice (1956), The Oxen (1965), Canzonet (1953)

Review: The music of Robert L. de Pearsall and Charles Wood is not very well known today, but definitely deserves a listen. Pearsall was a former lawyer who gave up the law after a stroke. He became interested in early music, particularly 16th century counterpoint. Wood is mainly known for his church music, but was very interested in secular music as well. The madrigals and part songs featured are quite nice and would be of interest to any choir looking for something different. They are wonderfully performed here by the very talented National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Songlist: Summer is y-coming in , Great God of love , Nights of music, The whispering waves, The widow bird , If love be dead, Come, sleep , Song for a dance, As the moon's soft splendor , When thou art nigh , A clear midnight, How dear to me, The nymph's fawn, Hence away, begone!, Full fathom five, Music, when soft voices die , How sweet the tuneful bells , When winds that move not , Light of my soul, Lay a garland

National Youth Choir of Great Britain : Songs of the Baltic Sea

Review: East meets West on this new recording as two great singing traditions are brought together, to thrilling effect. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union the three Baltic states have emerged as powerhouses of choral innovation and imagination. Mike Brewer and the NYCGB bring all their customary fervour and virtuosity to bear on this programme of masterworks from three of Europe's smallest, yet musically richest, countries.

Songlist: Tau Bet Kokios Sutemos, Lacrimosa, Hyme a St. Martin, Calling Up, A Shoe For The Stone Horse, There Should Have Been, Magic, Earth, Glory, Holy Evening, Guessing Song, O, Kalyudka!, Spring Is Coming, To the Newborn Christ, Cantus Maris Baltici

Review: Following the outstanding success of Kick-start Your Choir - this book offers yet more practical strategies for perfecting your choral directorship skills, distilled from years of experience. The book will prove to be essential reading for all choral directors and singers taking choirs beyond the basics to achieve a truly professional sound. Mike Brewer enjoys an unparalleled reputation for his work with musicians of all ages. He has motivated thousands of singers and choral conductors towards greater achievement through live workshops across the world, and is the director of the national Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Songlist: Preparation and Rehearsal, Quality of Sound, Memory, Blend, Intonation, Flexibility, Style, Language, Performance

Review: Kick-Start Your Choir is for teachers, choral directors, church musicians - anybody who directs a choir. It presents a treasure trove of ideas distilled from years of innovative work with singers of all ages. Practical strategies are offered on almost every aspect of choral directorship. Kick-Start Your Choir - the indispensable handbook for the choral conductor

Songlist: The Voice in the Classroom, Starting a Choir, Getting Young People to Sing, Sound Gestures and Conducting, Program Planning and Repertoire, Preparation and Rehearsal, Basic Vocal Technique, Troubleshooting

Review: This is an indispensable handbook for singers and choral directors. Warm-Ups are a series of activities that get the body and brain into gear, reinforce healthy and effective singing practice and are above all - fun! With over 200 warm-up ideas, including seventy musical examples, you will find an abundance of ideas in Mike Brewer's characteristically lively and innovative style. Divided into 36 practical sessions, arranged progressively, each is packed full with physical and mental activities to tackle all aspects of vocal technique.

Songlist: Introduction, Sessions 1-36, Tips and Terms

Review: Banuwa is a vibrant collection that presents choirs with a terrific opportunity to experience the excitement and energy of African music. Building on the success of Hamba Lulu, this volume taps into the rich seam of African culture and includes the festive song 'Banuwa', alongside Zulu bird song 'Izintakana' and the South African wedding song 'Babevuya' - coupled here with the infectious 'Walamba'.

Songlist: Banuwa, Izintakana, Babevuya / Walamba

Review: Mike Brewer's Choral World Tour brings together traditional songs from around the world in exciting a cappella arrangements that will both challenge and stimulate your choir. Each piece is accompanied by a translation and pronunciation guide. In this collection, feel the driving rhythms of Central America, let the emotive plainchant of North America awaken your senses, and experience the passionate Argentine tango.

Songlist: El Cascabel ('Son Jarocho' from Mexico), Pueblo Sunrise Song (from New Mexico), Tango Cappella (from Argentina)

Review: Hamba Lulu is a fantastic addition to the choral repertoire. A breath of fresh air in the classroom and for many a choir wanting a challenge. These stirring songs are additive, so you can tailor performances to local resources, increasing technical demand according to their experience. Easy to learn and sure to make an instant impact on audiences, the songs tap into the rich seam of African culture.

Songlist: Mangwani M'Pulele, O-re-mi, Karanga Walking Song, Hamba Lulu, Askha Thali

Review: Mike Brewer's Choral World Tour brings together traditional songs from around the world in exciting a cappella arrangements that will both challenge and stimulate your choir. Each piece is accompanied by a translation and pronunciation guide. In this collection, feel the pulsing rhythms of South Africa, experience the solid harmonies of a Namibian chorus, and experiment with the vocal techniques used in Tunisian song.

Songlist: Oalla Mohololi (Sotho ceremonial song from South Africa), Meguru (Kavango song from Namibia), Yelli bo'dek dhaya fikri (Love song from Tunisia)

Review: Mike Brewer's Choral World Tour brings together traditional songs from around the world in exciting a cappella arrangements that will both challenge and stimulate your choir. Each piece is accompanied by a translation and pronunciation guide. In this collection, feel the warmth of a Maori love song, experience intricate pentatonic part-song from China, and incorporate Bengalese percussion into your performance.

Songlist: Pokarekare, Holday danaa, Molihua

Review: Mike Brewer's Choral World Tour brings together traditional songs from around the world in exciting a cappella arrangements that will both challenge and stimulate your choir. Each piece is accompanied by a translation and pronunciation guide. In this collection of three songs from Europe, feel the rush of Russian dance, experiment with the sounds of Scandinavia and step back in time to Renaissance France.

Songlist: Korobushka (Love song from Russia), Kvolda Tekur (Icelandic folksong), Tourdion (Renaissance dance song from France)