Slowly is an original song by Lisa G. Littlebird about the power of meditation.  Its slow, tender verses build into a chorus that invites all voices. It has been arranged here for Wholehearted Chorus. A professional studio recording from Lisa is coming in early 2025.

For more information: https://thebirdsings.com/slowly/

Slowly by Lisa G. Littlebird - ALL PARTS

Summons by Ahlay Blakely - ALL PARTS

Ahlay Blakely is a master of complex rounds, and this is one of her finest.  An anthem of togetherness that will live in your cells long after you stop singing.

This is an original recording produced by the composer Ahlay Blakely.  Please support the artist by purchasing from them on Bandcamp here: https://ahlayblakely.bandcamp.com/track/net-of-remembrance

Spells from the Unknown

Net of Remembrance by Ahlay Blakely

Original song copyright Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter, Jim Molyneux, Kerry Andrew.

This amazing song of grief and hope was inspired by The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane &amp; Jackie Morris. The book began as a response to the removal of everyday nature words - among them "acorn", "bluebell", "kingfisher" and "wren" - from a widely used children’s dictionary, because those words were not being used enough by children to merit inclusion. But it grew to become a much broader protest at the loss of the natural world around us, as well as a celebration of the creatures and plants with which we share our lives.

Because the original song is so beloved by me and many, I re-imagined a new, quite different arrangement with guitar for Wholehearted Chorus in our 2024 season, Oh Grief, Oh Joy. (Note: this is not a traditional community singing song, as it has loads and loads of words, none of which repeat.)

For more information: https://thebirdsings.com/lost-words-blessing/

The Lost Words Blessing - ALL PARTS

The Lost Words Blessing - Alto, Tenor & Baritone

A high-energy song to inspire resilience in the face of life's obstacles. This is one of Debbie Nargi-Brown's first songs born during Covid and it inspires the joyful resilience she so embodies.

Original song copyright Debbie Nargi-Brown. Please ask the composer for permission before recording or performing for profit, and support the artist by purchasing the original on Bandcamp.

For more information: https://thebirdsings.com/roadblock/

Roadblock by Debbie Nargi-Brown - ALL PARTS

Original song ©Shireen Amini. This is a song created for sharing freely in community.  If you perform or record the song for income,  contact Shireen for permission. Please support the composer's forthcoming studio release of this song!  https://shireenamini.com/

This is a song about taking in support from others in our times of need. Inspired by Resmaa Menakem’s iconic book My Grandmother’s Hands, I first learned this song from Shireen at Song Village in 2022 where I remember my heart opening so wide I just wept in the loving arms of our big, singing community.

Recorded by Lisa Littlebird for Wholehearted Chorus on guitar and vocals with permission from the composer.  Male voice in vocals generated with ConvertKit AI.

For more information: https://thebirdsings.com/gather-your-resilience/

Gather Your Resilience by Shireen Amini - ALL PARTS

Gather Your Resilience by Shireen Amini - Low Alto & Tenor

Original song by U2, arranged by Lisa G. Littlebird.  Recorded here for Wholehearted Chorus with Rayner Marx on guitar and Lisa G. Littlebird on vocals.  Male voice in vocals generated with ConvertKit AI. 

This song was featured on Irish rock band U2's 1984 album, The Unforgettable Fire. It was written about Martin Luther King Jr. and has since become a major commercial success for the band and one of the band’s most popular songs.

For more information and individual part tracks: https://thebirdsings.com/pride-in-the-name-of-love/

Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2 - ALL PARTS

Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2 - Alto

This is a gorgeous song from English songleader and composer Susie Ro Prater is arranged for four voice parts. The harmonies are so delicious...

Original song ©Susie Ro Prater. Song leaders: please support the artist by visiting her website and purchasing the song score and practice tracks. I will not keep the practice tracks here for long.
https://www.susiero.com/compositions-for-choirs.html

For lyrics and more information, please visit:
http://thebirdsings.com/flame/

Flame by Susie Ro Prater - Soprano

Lisa G is a songcatcher. She holds a vision for a world where singing is once again an integral part of daily community life. May we use our natural human expression to open our hearts, share our challenges and celebrations and uplift our lives.

Lisa G. Littlebird is the director of the 80-member Wholehearted Chorus in Monterey and Big Sur, CA. She has been on the faculty as a community singing facilitator at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA since 2006. She is a singer, composer and teacher with more than 30 years of musical experience, facilitating community singing opportunities throughout California and beyond.  Learn more at http://thebirdsings.com.

Flame by Susie Ro Prater - Soprano

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