Live concert performance of the SATB version by Bel Canto Choir, Fredericton New Brunswick. 

Available at Cypress Choral Music: https://cypresschoral.com/composers/gerda-blok-wilson/o-little-rose-o-dark-rose/ 

Robert’s poem uses garden imagery to paint a story about a conventional person seduced by the appearance of the free spirited and non-committal “Carmenesque” person. 
The composition was recorded by Britain’s Gesualdo Six for their CD (“FADING”). 

 “We are really pleased to have stumbled across an absolute gem” (Gesualdo Six) and “an achingly beautiful setting of ‘O Little Rose, O Dark Rose.” (Stefan Hintersteininger – Canadian Music Centre).

O Little Rose Bel Canto  Fredericton New Brunswick

A beautiful live performance recording by the Valley Festival Singers, under the direction of Joel Tranquilla (2023) of my award-winning, "O Little Rose, O Dark Rose." Set to the poignant poetry of Sir Charles G.D. Roberts, this accessible and evocative piece is published by Cypress Choral Music and is available in TTBB and SATB a cappella arrangements. To preview the music and listen to this beautiful recording, visit: https://cypresschoral.com/composers/gerda-blok-wilson/o-little-rose-o-dark-rose/
The renowned vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six recorded "O Little Rose" for their album FADING and praised it as, “an absolute gem.” They have also toured the piece around the world, sharing its beauty with global audiences. https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68285

O Little Rose, O Dark Rose - Gerda Blok-Wilson

Gerda earned a Bachelor of Music (UBC), Professional Teaching Certificate (UBC), Kodály Teaching certificate (VAM), Master of Education (U of Calgary)-Kodály music. 

She is founding director of the 110 member Vancouver CanSing Choirs (Youth/Adult), conductor for SelfDesign home schooling choir, Artist-in-Residence for St Patrick’s Chamber Choir and provides support for grade 8-12 choir.    

 Recently, Gerda offered choral development for Simon Fraser, Lord Tennyson Choirs, original musical theatre at General Wolfe, and conducting development for the BC Kodály Association-Douglas College.

 Gerda’s career has included performance tours in England, New York, across Canada, commissioned choral pieces by Raminsh, Telfer and Bosma and performance honours at Carnegie Hall (Missa Brevis by Raminsh), Ottawa (Unisong Festival), Musicfest Canada (Calgary/Vancouver/Ottawa), Performing Arts BC and National Festivals.  She has conducted the BC Music Educator’s Honour Elementary Choir and her choirs have been   demonstration choirs at festivals including Musicfest Canada and BC Performing Arts Festival.

Gerda was conductor for the award-winning Bel Canto Choirs (Prince George), PG Jazz, Cantata Singers, PGSSHigh School choir.  She served as Music Resource Teacher for SD#57 and taught summer music education courses at UNBC.  She has 4 mini-musicals published by THEMES AND VARIATIONS and continues to arrange and compose music for choirs. 

New tracks tagged #CypressChoral