 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
WHAT IS AKSARA? AKSARA means "Syllable of Sound". Listen to AKSARA, an 8 woman a cappella group from southern New Hampshire! Their enchantingly expressive harmonies bring the listener to a place of composed peacefulness; an experience not an event! WHAT GENRE, YOU ASK?...This is THE QUINTESSENTIAL question asked of AKSARA since its inception on June 24, 1998. And their ANSWER is: "The Music's in a genre of its own!" Gently Enter...where you hear the whisper soft as snow...calling you to follow what you know. AKSARA's latest CD celebrates winter and the spirit of holiday gladness and solemnity with 15 unique and inspiring selections. You are invited to "go within" from the very first gentle piano renderings. Through the haunting tones of "Winter Solstice" and Christmas Eve Is Here, to the festive sounds of "Alle Psallite", "We Wish You" and "Glouscestershire Wassail" the listener is lifted from the ordinary and placed within the season of joy. Once there, the door of the heart opens wider and the sounds of "Carol of the Bells", "Lo! How A Rose" and "Still, Still, Still" find their way to the heart. The carols continue and ever so lightly, two piano instru-mentals accent the mood of the season. "We LOVE to play your CD in the store."-Hannah Grimes Store, Keene, NH Gently Enter...a Winter/Holiday CD that brings peace to all who open the door to its sounds. Gently Enter...where you hear the whisper soft as snow...calling you to follow what you know. Take a listen to AKSARA's FIRST CD: "YOU ARE WITH ME"! Their style is soft and gentle, evoking a sense of stillness and wonder in the listener as portrayed in THE sweet lullaby, "Falling Star", found on their FIRST CD, "YOU ARE WITH ME". On that same CD, experience a sense of peace and healing as you bathe your senses listening to the Celtic Prayer, "Deep Peace". "What a treasure! The music and voices are so peaceful and serene; almost celestial. I felt as though I were in a warm cocoon of heavenly sound." - Nancy Letizia, Bedford, NH "I just cannot believe the song you wrote and the music you composed in the spirit of the unfinished tapestry. I love it." -Patryc Wiggins, Director of ECON However, there are playful and energetic facets to AKSARA as well. More than one song, like the African children's playground song, "Sansa Kroma",(soon to be found on their THIRD CD) or the African freedom song, "Singabahambayo", has had the audiences smiling, tapping their toes and singing along. Other pieces such as the medieval "Alle Psallite Cum Luya", a 13th century French conductus presented on AKSARA's winter holiday CD, "GENTLY ENTER" is delivered with a majestic, processional flair; AKSARA's voice in festive celebration. Each member emanates her own unique vocal quality yet together, their blend truly defines the meaning of AKSARA, "Syllable of Sound"; eight women, one voice; eight voices one sound! "Some might accuse me of overdosing on my new CD, but I'm immersed, and thoroughly enjoying it....words don't capture what you do-the music alone does. - Althea Valentine, Resource Development & Community Relations Coordinator for CASA AKSARA's first CD, was released in September of 2000. Among the fifteen pieces, of which nine are original compositions by one of the members, Vic Schneider, is the song , "You Are with Me". Inspired by a German poem, the lyrics have special meaning to the members of AKSARA. You Are with Me...like a treasured memory beyond a thousand dreams...carried deep within me day and night. The hauntingly beautiful "Unfinished Tapestry", is a song based on the extra-ordinary story behind the tapestry weaving of Patryc Wiggins from Guild, NH, and "Circle of Angels", another original composition, is truly an angelic invocation. You Are With Me...let it take you on a journey to your heart. WHO IS AKSARA? Their individual professions are as varied as their personalities and repertoire pieces. Among the eight women you'll find TWO environmental engineers, a speech pathologist, professional musician, educational mentor, social worker, computer software programmer and a juvenile probation officer. Add to that GREAT humor and deep affection for each other--it doesn't get any better than THAT, folks! WHERE HAS AKSARA PERFORMED? These are just a few venues where AKSARA has graced audiences with song. Greater Manchester Thanksgiving Breakfast (to Benefit local Soup Kitchen & Shelter) YMCA Benefit for Youth Dinner Mind/Body/Spirit Conference at Elliot Hospital Alpha Delta Kappa Conference Journey into Wellness Conference Bedford Library "Sunday at the Library" Concert Series Walk for Hospice NH Historical Society Conferences at Star Island Holiday Stroll, Nashua, NH 2001-2004 Crossroads Coffeehouse in N. Andover, MA Quota International Nashua Music Festival- Arts Council of Tamworth Concert Series Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Salem & Manchester, NH Area Code 603-Benefit for Palace Theatre Benefit Appearance for PINK DAY! Adubon Center "It is exciting to find such talented musicians right in our backyard". - Sue Holstein , Community Program Coordinator, Bedford Public Library Check out the artist's website: http://soundbodyconnection.com Track List: 1. Gently Enter - Instrumental 2. Winter Solstice 3. Alle Psallite 4. I Gaze Out O'er the Moonlit Earth 5. Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming 6. Beautiful Snow - Instrumental 7. Glouscestershie Wassail 8. O Christmas Tree 9. Carol of the Bells 10. In the Bleak Midwinter - Instrumental 11. Bethelehemu 12. Still Still Still 13. Mary Had A Baby 14. Christmas Eve Is Here 15. We Wish You... 16. Gently Enter - Reprise Other Genres:
|