AND THAT'S A WRAP! (SESSIONS 4 - 6)

Hello from the hotel! We've had such a busy day, it took some extra time to sit down and recount day 2 of recording. But in our final session at Skywalker Ranch, the PSU Chamber Choir recorded three more amazing songs for their newest album, due to be released some time next year.

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HOME/ DIRTY PAWS

Our first session of the day was 'Home/Dirty Paws', a mashup of two pop songs that share the same chord progressions. PSU graduate Allison Cottrell, now serving as the choral instructor at Cleveland High School, composed this piece in her choral arrangement class at PSU. It has gone on to be performed by the PSU Choirs, the CHS choirs, and beyond. 

For me, the melding of these two songs is a whimsical and heartwarming marriage that speaks to themes I adore, arranged during such a special time in my life. Every time someone tells me they are singing this piece, they express the exact things I wanted this piece to inspire - joy, fun and heart. The PSU Chamber Choir is the perfect group to be recording this piece, they embody these exact things and I can’t wait to hear the outcome!!
-Allison Cottrell

Bonus: Watch Allison conduct this arrangement in 2019 with her high school advanced choir

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A VOICE IS HEARD IN RAMAH

The 3rd Place Winner in the 2019 IFCM Choral Composition Competition, 'A Voice is Heard in Ramah" was arranged by PSU alumnus David Walters, who recently completed his doctorate at Louisiana State University.

Through gut-wrenching harmonies, aleatory, and an emotive alto solo, 'A Voice is Heard in Ramah' tells the story of biblical matriarch Rachel, and her seemingly eternal vigil for the loss of her children. At its heart, this piece is about the loss of children, the cyclical nature of violence, and the emotional exhaustion that comes from realizing we've been here before.

I’m honored (and impossibly thrilled) to have Ramah not only recorded by the PSU Chamber Choir, but at Skywalker Sound no less! Having heard them perform it a number of times, including the World Choral Expo in 2022, I know it’s going to be emotionally eviscerating. Their sound is nuanced and so tangible, as if you could trace the shape of the music with your outstretched hands. The attention that Ethan and all the singers have given to my work is a privilege beyond words. I know it’s work, but I wish the choir well as they enter the studio for another day. Love from Atlanta!
​- David Walters

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Ca$h Money

Wrapping up our recording session was current PSU Chamber Choir member Henry Alexander's composition, 'Ca$h Money'​ - a high-energy song featuring original lyrics and a FAST rap solo by Henry himself. Henry has premiered a number of original compositions and choral arrangements during his time at PSU, including an arrangement of  2016 pop hit 'Despacito', and a setting of Robert Frost's 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' that was premiered on the world stage at the 2022 International Choral Festival in Lisbon, Portugal. Henry is looking forward to pursuing new choral arrangements once the term ends!

Recording at Skywalker Ranch was exhausting, but rewarding. It was great hearing Ca$h Money from inside the booth - Having the choir in my headphones, I was just like, “Aw yeah. That’s some good stuff.” See, by that point in the recording session, everyone was so worn out. But everyone still brought all the energy, and their performance was just, so great.

About two years ago, there was a day when I was really bored in music theory, and I just daydreamed the chorus. And I was like, “ok, what verses can go with that?” I came up with the IRS verse, and ‘gimme them euros’ and then, just…’cash money.’ Inspired, I went back to my computer that day, wrote it down, and thought…”This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever written.” But it ended up being amazing! I’m just so glad that this song made it to this point, it’s been so fun. I hope people like it.

I was worried it’d get a very polarizing reception, where after every concert I’d have someone coming up to me like “I’m not sure I cared for that one”, but honestly, no, everyone has always liked it. I’m really happy.
-Henry Alexander

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PSU Chamber Choir, and their production team

...And now a silly one!

The sessions may be over, but the tour is not! Check back in on Monday to hear all about our concert in San Francisco ...and some great videos to transport you to the front row!!