All are welcome to join us in a musical tribute and fundraiser for Ukraine. On April 9, members of the New Rochelle community came together to learn and record A Ukrainian Prayer, recently composed by John Rutter in response to the war in Ukraine. We now welcome singers from all over the globe to submit thier recordings of this piece to be combined in the final recording, as we continue the fundraising efforts.

Proceeds from this event will go to Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

We are delighted to be led and inspired by musicians from several New Rochelle--based organizations:

• Angela Belsole, Interim Director, Songcatchers

• David Jutt, music director, St. John's Wilmot

• Kathleen McEntee-Lawlor, Assistant Director, Songcatchers

• Robert Puleo, conductor, Sing Your Heart Out; Composer-in-Residence, Trinity-St. Paul's Episcopal Church

• Richard Slade, conductor, Sound Shore Chorale

• Neil Walker, music director, St. Simon the Cyrenian

We also thank Deanna's Pizzeria and Modern for their support!

Virtual Participation

Our in-person recording session was a huge success! We are now taking virtual submissions from friends from all over the world!

Please submit a video and/or audio recording by April 26, 2022 by uploading your materials here.

Materials:

• Sheet music for A Ukrainian Prayer, John Rutter

• John Rutter's web page with video

• A recording of the text, read out by Alona Taranenko, a Ukrainian musician and refugee, currently in Poland

Instructions:

• Use this conducting video to record. There is a count-off and a clap. Please clap audibly and visibly.

• After the clap, you will hear the first note of the Bass entrance, after which the conducting video will begin.

• Here are some videos for learning parts. Please do not use these to record: Soprano | Alto | Tenor | Bass | Full choir with Soprano I (with some different pronuciations--just use the ones that are written)

• Record in portrait/vertical mode. Please try to leave a little space around your head for cropping purposes.

• Please use a fairly plain background with not too many distractions.

• There is no dress code, but please don't wear anything too flashy/distracting.

• Handling discrepancies: if there is a discrepancy between the sheet music and the notes you hear (either in the conducting video or the practice parts), please sing what is written, except for the final tenor solo (just sing the Ameen's)

In-Person Recording

The in-person recording was held on Saturday, April 9, from 1-4PM, at Trinity-St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at 311 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, NY. (see map).

Many thanks to everyone who joined us in this wonderful event! Look out for the video, with additional virtual voices, in the next few weeks!

Questions?

Contact Valerie Samn at valeriesamn@gmail.com