Welcome! My name is David Rain and I am a “late in life” Canadian choral composer, having caught the composing bug in my mid-60s.

Professionally, I received English and Law degrees from UBC and a Masters in Development Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. For 40 years, I worked in the fields of international development and refugee and immigrant support, the last 12 years as a fundraiser.

I have been an amateur singer most of my life, singing with the Christ Church Cathedral boys choir in Vancouver in the 1960s and with the Vancouver Bach Choir in the 1970s. After a 10-year hiatus while living in Tanzania, I settled in Ottawa, where I sang tenor with the a cappella choir The Stairwell Carollers for 28 years.

I began composing in my spare time in 2015 and have written or arranged more than 30 songs since. Five of my songs have been premiered in public performances — the other songs present choirs with a unique opportunity to sing a world premiere. Three of my songs have been published by the outstanding Canadian choral music publisher, Cypress Choral Music.

I am a great fan of Mahler, Bruckner and pioneering Medieval & Renaissance composers. I donate 50% of my income as a composer to two Ottawa charities: the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and Orkidstra, an “El Sistema”-inspired program for kids from under-served communities.

I invite you to explore my website and have a listen to my songs. Interested choirs can find sheet music details on the individual song pages.