Changing
Choral Chameleon
Vince Peterson artistic director
Timothy Takach composer
Edward Thompson composer
Orlando di Lasso composer
Lauren Bydalek composer
Angelica Negron composer
Jamiroquai composer
Michael Weinstein-Reiman composer
Irving Fine composer
Matthew Marcus composer
Mike Rowan composer
Stevie Wonder composer
Choral Chameleon, under the direction of Vince Peterson, explores the concept of change as a fundamental aspect of our existence on CHANGING from Navona Records. The texts and poems in this release delve into change as something that is inevitable and cyclical, to be actively embraced and critically examined in how it transforms our experiences, identities, and worldviews. CHANGING encourages listeners to move forward together with joyful anticipation of what is to come — not only with willingness, but with courage and evergreen determination.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Circles | Timothy Takach | Wendell Berry, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director | 4:10 |
| 02 | Guest House | Edward Thompson | Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (trans. Coleman Barks), lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director | 4:20 |
| 03 | In quoscumque locos | Orlando di Lasso | Orlando di Lasso, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director | 2:52 |
| 04 | Pieces of My Heart | Lauren Bydalek | Lauren Bydalek, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director; Molly Rabuffo, Matthew Robbins - soloists | 4:12 |
| 05 | There Once Was… | Angelica Negron | Edward Lear, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director; Nathan Koci, accordion | 7:52 |
| 06 | Virtual Insanity | Jamiroquai, piano arr. Vince Peterson | Jamiroquai, lyricist (arr. Mark Brymer); Choral Chameleon; Vince Peterson, piano; Richard Berg, shaker | 4:36 |
| 07 | Leaves | Michael Weinstein-Reiman | Sara Teasdale, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director | 7:24 |
| 08 | Design for October from "The Choral New Yorker" | Irving Fine | Jake Falstaff, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director; Hee Sung Kim, piano; Keith Sisterhemn, soloist | 6:53 |
| 09 | Spring and Fall | Matthew Marcus | Gerard Manley Hopkins, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director | 4:52 |
| 10 | I Choose | Mike Rowan | Charles C. Brown, Kamasi Washington - lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director | 2:59 |
| 11 | Heaven Help Us All | Stevie Wonder, arr. Kathleen MacGuire | Stevie Wonder, lyricist; Choral Chameleon | Vince Peterson, artistic director; Matthew Robbins, soloist | 3:31 |
Recorded January 26-27, 2024 in Butler Chapel at Marymount Convent in Tarrytown NY
Session Engineer Mike Clemow, Wade Strange
Editing & Mixing Mike Clemow, Wade Strange
Additional Editing & Mixing Melanie Montgomery
Mastering Melanie Montgomery
Track 5
Additional Accordion Tracking at Lorien Sound in Brooklyn NY
Track 6
Additional Shaker Tracking March 2 & May 10, 2024 at Studio G & Lorien Sound in Brooklyn NY
Track 8
Additional Recording March 2, 2024 at Studio G in Brooklyn NY
Executive Producer Bob Lord
VP of A&R Brandon MacNeil
A&R Ivana Hauser
VP of Production Jan Košulič
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Morgan Hauber
Publicity Aidan Curran
Digital Marketing Manager Brett Iannucci
Artist Information
Choral Chameleon
Choral Chameleon is an acclaimed vocal ensemble based in New York City, renowned for its diverse repertoire and innovative programming. Established in January 2008, Choral Chameleon consists of a semi professional chorus of over 50 voices and a core professional ensemble of 16 singers. The group is celebrated for blending popular music with Western art music, breaking down barriers between genres, and creating dynamic and transformative concert experiences.
Vince Peterson
Vince Peterson is a respected choral conductor, composer/arranger, and teacher of music in the United States. His 20-year hybrid career spans the worlds of choral music, theater, sacred music, and music education. He has, however, established himself most prominently in the world of choral music, notably having founded the "shape-shifting" vocal ensemble Choral Chameleon in 2008. Across his work, he is responsible for presenting nearly 300 premieres of new choral and theater music in the last 15 years and has won critical acclaim in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The New York Concert Review, I Care If You Listen, The Examiner, and other publications. He is also a recipient of the prestigious ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming.
Notes
These days, change is all around us. Even though some of this change is long overdue and difficult to understand or embrace, it represents a fundamental shift in our collective life as a human civilization. This music is about the Art of Change: how to move forward together with joyful anticipation for what is to come as a result of our willingness to bend and flex with each other and for each other. These choral works tell stories of change, large and small, and all it brings with it. All of these works are deeply embracing of change with not only a willingness, but certain courage and evergreen determination. This is The Art of Change.
We must hold each other tightly and continue to pull back the curtain.
— Vince Peterson, Artistic Director, Choral Chameleon
