Welcome to my ALL NEW website. Enormous thanks to an old friend Peter Lehman. The video section is new and you can now hear songs in the COMPOSITION section.
nick@nickmusic
If you recommend this site to someone who may have previously opened the old version, they may have to press the REFRESH button.
Nick Page composes music for amazing choral groups throughout the world. He conducts Boston’s Mystic Chorale and he travels the world leading songs (a lucky job) – at schools, places of worship, businesses – working with choral groups and “non-singers” of all ages and abilities. See the testimonies below.
Nick has over eighty published works (see the COMPOSITIONS page). He self-publishes his “Healing Prayer (We Pray)” and other works. Other well-known works are “Niska Banja” (Boosey & Hawkes), ”A Promise I Will Keep” (The SATB octavo is published by Hal Leonard. The unison version is in Nick’s SING WITH US songbook also from Hal Leonard), “There’s Honey In The Rock” (from Nick’s songbook), and “You Have a Heart” (soon to be published by earthsongs). Nick’s many commissions have been performed by thousands of choirs including premieres at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the stage of the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. His COMIC BOOK OPERA, a short opera for children, was premiered in the summer of 2011.
To inquire about bringing Nick to your community or to purchase Nick’s CDs or his song “Healing Prayer (We Pray)” contact him at:
nick@nickmusic.com
Nick is the founder and artistic director of the Mystic Chorale of Boston
Nick Page leading members of the Mystic Chorale of Boston with Louise Grasemere, soloist
Quotes & Testimonies about Nick Page
“Nick Page is both a natural and a schooled musician, with a boundless enthusiasm and ability for awakening song. He is a collector of folk tunes from around the world, and a gifted teacher. Sing with Nick!” Alice Parker
“Nick Page’s soul is filled with a very special and unique goodness (and I don’t use that word lightly) that reaches deep into the minds and souls of those with whom he works. Each and every life he touches is better for having worked with him, been lead by him and/or simply known him.” Dr. Donald Neuen, UCLA, Crystal Cathedral.
“Nick Page embraces the whole world in his soul and in his music. He is a skillful, passionate, and respectful interpreter of world music who backs up his work with knowledge and context. As composer, teacher, and songleader, Nick inspires people through song like few others, empowering them in the process.”
Emily Ellsworth, Glen Ellen Children’s Choir
“Nick Page’s teacher workshops were meaningful and productive and have had an immediate positive effect on our classroom teachers and students. They are practical and ‘real’.”
David N. Jost, Coordinator of Fine Arts Westborough, MA Public Schools
“The unique Mr. Page was a great success here in New Orleans: I loved the fact that he had the audience singing and dancing along! He had our children’s choir playing instruments, dancing on stage, and everyone had a ball! There was a great sense of community as we all shared the precious gift of music.” Melissa Brocato, Honors Choir Chair for Louisiana ACDA
“What’s amazing about Nick Page is that you don’t just listen to his concerts. You EXPERIENCE them. From the opening song, you are enveloped and involved in the power and joy of music from all over the world. Nick is a master at orchestrating audience participation in the songs. Don’t miss a chance to experience Nick Page. You will have fun and be moved!” (Audience member)
“Nick Page has an engaging presence unlike any other. The children were immediately engaged in singing music of many styles, cultures and languages.”
Henry Leck, Indianapolis Children’s Choir
“Nick Page brings people together in a unique way through singing. His sensitivity, enthusiasm, and love of music from all cultures shines through his artistry and creativity.”
Dr. Barbara Tagg, Syracuse Children’s Choir
“I’ve never seen anyone else who can capture the enthusiasm of a crowd and make them all into joyful, expressive, energized singers like Nick can.”
Lee Kesselman, composer
“I have had the pleasure of participating in two workshops with Nick, as well as listening to multiple concerts by him. I teach in an urban district where presenting music as well as teaching music has its own special challenges. Nick possesses several qualities that not only meet these challenges but also move students (and teachers) beyond what one expects from a presenter. He is a very strong vocalist, has a very wide and flexible repertoire, and he “commands a room” in a very kind, yet strong way. The end result of the above qualities is an atmosphere where the audiences are immediately taken over by Nick’s voice and their interest is held by his programs. Nick has a particular interest in multicultural music. This works well with urban students. As well as singing these pieces of music he tells very interesting stories about the music, adding to the experience.”
Ed Schutte, Music Director at the Susan B. Anthony Middle School for the Arts in Revere, MA
“Nick uses his knowledge of the cultural context of the music to take the students on a musical journey they long to travel again and again.”
Tim Sharp, Miami Children’s Choir
“Nick Page is an American Icon, a song leader and choral composer dedicated to world music and music education for all.”
Dr. Doreen Rao
“Nick’s approach to the choral concert process provides relief from tired programming models.”
Dr. William Belan, Cal State, LA
Nick Page is a song leader, but his real skill is magic, or more accurately, bringing out the magic in others. He can work with any group–people of all ages and abilities– and in the course of an evening sing, turn the group into a harmonious community of powerful voices, singing songs of wonder and compassion, anger and joy—songs from many cultures around the earth—songs of tremendous power—songs that help define who we are, and show us what we can become.
Dear Nick,
Had meant to write you weeks ago to thank you for one of the most inspiring and moving experiences of my life — sharing with you in the beauty and joy of making music together. You are a remarkable man, Nick. Even though you are a most physically imposing and charismatic individual, what impressed me so is your selfless devotion to our group and our music. You are not a song leader; you are a song lover, inviting your audience to join you in body, mind and spirit in a great celebration of our humanity through music. My children — six through thirteen — were moved as well. It was a transcendent experience — one we’ll never forget. Lois Bridges Bird Palo Alto, CA 2/24/95
You Had To Be There, Testimonial from the Naperville, IL High School newsletter, Nov. 1997.
Nick Page stood on stage before five hundred singers…No one knew quite what to expect from Nick Page even though they were told he was a “world ethnomusicologist!” Mr. Page began with a simple greeting to our students. Then he asked the house to sing back a phrase as sung to them. A simple melody came from his lips, “Bring me little water, Sylvie…” Students echoed the thought. ”Bring me little water now…” was also returned. “Bring me little water Sylvie, every little once in a while.” The words were so simple, the melody so plain that one might not expect much in the line of musical offering from the mouths and hearts of middle and senior high school vocalists. The sound that echoed to Mr. Page, however, was one of the most glorious sounds ever sung by a group. It was not loud or powerful. There was no vocal competition. It displayed no technical virtuosity. The voices were pure, the line had natural rise and fall, the choral blend was impeccable. The sheer beauty of their unison was moving. Mere moments later, with helpful guidance from Mr. Page, the house was swimming with simple, clear, ringing harmonies. Homemade harmonies. Vocal parts from their hearts, if you will. In addition to beautiful fold melodies from around the world, Mr. Page imparted to all of us, the significance of the tunes and texts we sang that day. We had a clear vision of the experiences of those who first sang the music, what it meant to them culturally, and why the songs were part of their lives. Mr. Page somehow fostered an environment that allowed each singer to contribute to the whole while being creative, artistic, and independent… If one could put such a thing into words, the very power of music itself would be diminished. Suffice it to say, it was near indescribable and ‘you had to be there.’
******
“To rid shy audience members of any inhibitions they might have had about singing, an unabashedly exuberant Nick Page started the show. With Page, you aren’t allowed to think about whether or not you want to sing. Page says “Do this!” and makes a motion, and you make it, too. He says, “Sing this!” and sings a line of melody, and you sing it after him. With Page, enthusiastically expecting your participation, you cant figure out whether you are more embarrassed to sing or not to sing, so you throw inhibition to the winds and just sing. So does everybody else. To be in the midst of all those people collectively raising their voices was very moving. The collective experience of melody and emotion is what folk music is all about.”
From Grand Forks Herald 2/9/99
“All reports about your four days in Miami have been overwhelmingly positive. You brought great joy to the more than 2,500 children and adults who experienced your “zestness.” It is a tribute to your artistry and humbleness that people of all ages felt similar joy. Bravo to you! Hope you’ll come back and do it again next season.”
Tim Sharp, Miami Children’s Choir
“Don’t miss an opportunity to hear Nick Page. He will raise and rouse your spirits, putting a smile on your face and more joy in your heart. Nick is a master at involving the audience in the fun, too.” (Audience member)
“The music selection is great, and it is one of the few places you will start singing whether you meant to or not. The music and spirit bypasses the critical brain and your mouth opens up to let out sounds that connect you to the chorus and some kind of incredible life energy.”
(Audience member)