Various Composers - Shall We Gather (VOCES8; Ringmasters)

Information

1. Robert Lowry - Shall We Gather at the River (arr. Morgan)
2. Sergei Rachmaninov - Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Op. 31: V. Little Entrance. Come, Let Us Worship
3. Eric Whitacre - Lux Aurumque
4. Giovanni Gabrieli - Deus, Deus meus a 10
5. Franz Biebl - Ave Maria
6. Michel Praetorius - Det är en ros utsprungen (2026 Remaster)
7. Blake Morgan - Moonrise
8. Rasmus Krigström - In Memoriam (Ring Out Wild Bells)
9. Jaakko Mäntyjärvi - Pseudo-Yoik
10. Blake Morgan - Loch Lomond (A Folk Fantasia)
11. John Lennon - The Fool on the Hill (arr. Puerling)
12. Berry Gordy, Jr. - I'll Be There (arr. Morgan)
13. Alan Menken - The Bells of Notre Dame & Out There (arr. Dale & Krigström)

Voces8

Ringmasters

Date: 2026

Label: Decca

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This album unites British choir VOCES8 and Swedish barbershop quartet Ringmasters in a vibrant collaboration recorded at the VOCES8 Centre in London. Celebrating a shared passion for vocal ensemble singing, the project seamlessly blends choral precision with dynamic barbershop harmonies across a wide range of eras and genres. The diverse repertoire features Renaissance polyphony, Romantic classics, folk songs, and contemporary compositions by master creators like Gabrieli, Rachmaninov, Whitacre, and Praetorius. Alongside imaginative reimagining of beloved standards such as "Loch Lomond" and "The Fool on the Hill," the album showcases a title track that fuses sacred tradition with jazz-infused chords.

VOCES8 is a British a cappella ensemble founded by brothers Paul and Barnaby Smith in 2003 and regrouped in 2005. Known for their versatility, the octet performs a wide repertoire ranging from Renaissance and folk to jazz, pop, and original arrangements. They tour internationally across Europe, Asia, and North America and have recorded with Decca Classics and their own label, Voces8 Records. The group has commissioned works from notable composers including Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, and Christopher Tin. In June 2025, VOCES8 celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of Twenty, an album showcasing their signature genre-spanning style.

Crownized as the 2012 international barbershop champions, and the first non-American group to win the title, Ringmasters blend technical virtuosity with the high energy of pop music. Formed by four Swedish choir school alumni, the quartet honed their dynamic stage presence and rich harmonic blend through rigorous training under barbershop legend Doug Harrington and extensive performances worldwide, including stints on international cruise lines. Their wide-ranging repertoire spans traditional barbershop classics, Swedish choral works, and popular hits by artists like The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Today, the internationally acclaimed group continues to tour globally and captivate audiences with their signature a cappella arrangements.