Renae Sings!

Musician - Mezzo-soprano/Alto - Singer-for-Hire

[renae-sings]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here - haven’t been too active in music projects, but I’ve been performing here and there with choirs in my community, and in the occasional one-act operas!

Here’s a recent video of me singing the solo for the Kyle Pederson jazz arrangement of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ from the recent ECPAA concert - just in time for the holiday season!

[renae-sings]

You’re my moon, and I’m your sun, and you are still the only one for me

Today is my anniversary, and even though I’m no songwriter, I wanted to write something special for my partner... so here is a first play of a simple song I call “70 Miles”

[bonjourxrenae]

View this post on Instagram

It’s been a long while since I’ve played guitar… mostly playing with simple beginners chords at the moment, but I’m hoping to get more agile on the frets as I go!

[renae-sings]

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church

Palm Sunday Service - March 25, 2018

Hymn #359: “O Zion Haste, thy mission high fulfilling”

O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling, to tell to all the world that God is Light; that He who made all nations is not willing one soul should fail to know his love and might.

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace, tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release.

Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation that God, in whom they live and move, is Love; tell how He stooped to save His lost creation, and died on earth that all might live above.

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace, tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release.

[bonjourxrenae]

View this post on Instagram

Being back at college means sneaking into a practice room! I haven’t played in a while, so here’s a warm-up cover of “Let It Be” 🎵 🎹

[renae-sings]

Mata Del Anima Sola - performed by ECSU’s Women’s Choir, October 2014.

[renae-sings]

Another Update!

I’ve been having technical difficulties as of late - my audio-recording software is currently not cooperating with me, so until I can get that issue resolved, there’s really not going to be a lot of activity here...

In the meantime, I suppose I can try to dig up some old projects/recordings/videos and post those instead to pass the time!

[renae-sings]

I sincerely apologize for the inactivity on this blog - aside from constantly working at my day job, this past month has especially been wild! I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated on what projects I am doing and where I’m at in my life!

As you can see by the photo, I had the honor of singing with Josh Groban at the Mohegan Sun Arena less than a month ago! (I’m the one swooning immediate left of him!) It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity! A huge thank you to Dr. David Belles and the Eastern CT State University Chamber Singers for welcoming me back to sing with them; also a huge thank you to Josh Groban and his crew for this opportunity and for all their guidance and support!

As far as projects go, I’m at a standstill. I have more multi-track projects that are in progress that I would love to finish and upload, but I’m very self-aware of the sub-par technology I’m working with and I lack the budget to order a decent mic. My laptop itself is also showing its age, and so my budget is mostly going into building (or purchasing) a desktop computer. The better news is that I do have access to soundproof rooms (Thank you again, ECSU!) and so I may have more opportunities to record in slightly better environments.

I also realize that I’m a lousy songwriter. I’ve been experimenting quite a bit with coming up with original content. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but it’s a struggle to come up with meaningful, smart lyrics, let alone putting them to a melody, hook, and chords.

I am, however, starting to plan collaborations with a few of my friends who are incredibly talented instrumentalists. Perhaps one of these days we’ll film some jam sessions as a series!

Once again, I’m deeply sorry for my inactivity. I’m still here and I’m still making music! I still have projects to finish, and with this new (HUGE) experience under my belt, I’m inspired to continue working hard to expand my audio repertoire! Until then, I think I’ll update this blog with throwback videos and clips to the development of my voice. It’s kinda cool to see how far people come in their art by looking at milestones to what they’ve accomplished in the past.

Thank you so much for following Renae Sings!, and for your continued support!

[renae-sings]

Visit Original Link

Song Title: Als Luise die Briefe ihres ungetreuen Liebhabers verbrannte (1787) Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791); text from the poetry of Gabriele von Baumberg Performer: Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano; David Ballena, accompanist

** DISCLAIMER ** The sheet music I possess for my performances and recordings were acquired from the IMSLP Database and library archives and are free to use; arrangements were also purchased and may be used through exclusive permission. I do not claim ownership to the compositions and arrangements I perform.

[renae-sings]

Visit Original Link

Song Title: O Rest in the Lord from Elijah (1846) Composer: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Performer: Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano; David Ballena, accompanist

** DISCLAIMER ** The sheet music I possess for my performances and recordings were acquired from the IMSLP Database and library archives and are free to use; arrangements were also purchased and may be used through exclusive permission. I do not claim ownership to the compositions and arrangements I perform.

[renae-sings]

Visit Original Link

Song Title: Ah, scostati! ... Smanie implacabili from Così fan tutte (1790) Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791); libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte Performer: Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano; David Ballena, accompanist

** DISCLAIMER ** The sheet music I possess for my performances and recordings were acquired from the IMSLP Database and library archives and are free to use; arrangements were also purchased and may be used through exclusive permission. I do not claim ownership to the compositions and arrangements I perform.

[renae-sings]

Visit Original Link

Song Title: Must the Winter Come So Soon? from Vanessa  (1956-1957) Composer: Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Performer: Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano; David Ballena, accompanist

** DISCLAIMER ** The sheet music I possess for my performances and recordings were acquired from the IMSLP Database and library archives and are free to use; arrangements were also purchased and may be used through exclusive permission. I do not claim ownership to the compositions and arrangements I perform.

[renae-sings]

Visit Original Link

Song Title: Look Down, Fair Moon (1957) Composer: Ned Rorem (b. 1923); text from the poetry of Walt Whitman Performer: Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano; David Ballena, accompanist

** DISCLAIMER ** The sheet music I possess for my performances and recordings were acquired from the IMSLP Database and library archives and are free to use; arrangements were also purchased and may be used through exclusive permission. I do not claim ownership to the compositions and arrangements I perform.

[renae-sings]

Visit Original Link

Song Title: À Chloris (1916) Composer: Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947); text from the poetry of Léopold Dauphin Performer: Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano; David Ballena, accompanist

** DISCLAIMER ** The sheet music I possess for my performances and recordings were acquired from the IMSLP Database and library archives and are free to use; arrangements were also purchased and may be used through exclusive permission. I do not claim ownership to the compositions and arrangements I perform.

[bonjourxrenae]

Visit Original Link

From The A Cappella Singer: “Rest Sweet Nymphs” by Francis Pilkington.

All voices by me; multi-tracking on GarageBand; vocal transformer on the bass.

[renae-sings]

Key of She, Spring Concert 2015 - “Bang Bang” Soloists: Renae, Hannah, Abby

[renae-sings]

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church - Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 21, 2014 "Gesu Bambino" as performed by Jim Arpin, tenor and Renae St. John, mezzo-soprano