PSA: For Immediate Release                                                                         May 19, 2008

Chor Leoni CDs Receive Two Prestigious Awards

Meeting for their biennial  PODIUM convention in Sackville, New Brunswick over the May long weekend, the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors announced that two recent recordings by Vancouver's Chor Leoni Men's Choir have received awards of excellence.

Circle of Compassion, featuring repertoire from recent Remembrance Day performances, is the recipient of the 2008 National Choral Award for Outstanding Choral Recording, and Chor Leoni's Healing Voices  recording project, for use in healing and hospice work, received the 2008 Outstanding Sponsorship Award.

"From an artistic director’s perspective, Chor Leoni’s annual Remembrance Day concerts are both a joy and a challenge to program – the message and the power of the musical repertoire chosen for those concerts needs to be  timely as well as timeless," say Diane Loomer, the choir's Artistic Director. "It is music chosen not only for the moment but also for life – music that can immediately console, support and recall, as well as music that can be visited over and over again in search of meaning, truth, beauty and understanding.  For me, Circle of Compassion pulls together carefully chosen repertoire which encapsulates the challenges of programming while simultaneously allowing both listener and singer the opportunity to join in compassionate purpose."

Circle of Compassion was recorded in 2007 and produced by recording producer, Jonathan Quick. "For my part, it is an honour and a privilege to work with such a wonderful choir and organization," he says. "The choir continues to bring such a high level of commitment and sense of purpose to their performances, which I believe is reflected in these recordings.  It has been a joy working with Diane Loomer, helping to bring her artistic vision to life.  I would also like to acknowledge Don Harder, who has been a great mentor to me, and whose expertise allows me to take creative risks, in reaching for 'that special sound.'"

Chor Leoni undertook the Healing Voices recording project at the request of music therapist Valerie Weeks, as a service to music therapists and others who work in the patient and people care field. Valerie and others have remarked on the special effect which male choral singing has for patients and clients.

Everyone involved with the project, including conductor, producer, instrumentalists, singers, composers, arrangers, photographers, proof readers, graphic artists, CD manufacturer, choir volunteers, distributors, and therapists (to name most, but not all) have donated their time, expertise, and devotion to make this disc happen.

"Knowing and living daily within the healing power of music, I thought there might be a positive response to Healing Voices," says Ms. Loomer.  "What all us did not anticipate was the overwhelming embrace this CD has received throughout the world!  As a conductor, I feel there is something decidedly calming, embracing and reassuring about the sound of men singing together – as a human being, I hear a subliminal message in their song saying 'It’s going to be all right.'  I am so pleased this CD, given freely from all of the contributing artists, has warmed so many other hearts, strengthened courage and given hope.  May it continue to do so!"

Organizations and individuals working in the patient and people care field (music therapists, hospices, long-term and palliative care societies, and the like) may obtain copies of the CD at cost (plus shipping charges) directly from Chor Leoni.  All others may obtain the disc by contacting Chor Leoni's marketing partner in this venture, the Callanish Society (www.callanish.org).

Dick Loomer, project manager for Healing Voices, adds, "It has been my pleasure to see the response to this relaxing and therapeutic music. In the 17 months since release we have provided nearly 3000 copies of Healing Voices and received hundreds of grateful thank yous from patients, therapists, care givers and families.  Its popularity seems to be undiminished with time."

Chor Leoni CDs are available through the choir's website, www.chorleoni.org, and wherever fine CDs are sold.

The public's next opportunity to hear Chor Leoni perform live is at their FUN concerts on June 16 and 23. Both evening shows sold out two months before curtain but tickets remain for the matinée performance on June 16 at 3 pm.