A
band that is 18 members strong has a competitive advantage in creating a sophisticated,
textured sound. Then, add a choir and 60 members of the Prague Philharmonic,
and the firepower is in place. But composition skills are also important. Sara McDonald
is the composer and vocalist of the 18-member band that is creatively named The
NYChillharmonic. “To Covet A Quiet Mind” was originally recorded by the band and
choir, with the larger orchestra then adding its talents to provide the artistic
collaboration.
The majesty of “To Covet A Quiet Mind” is apparent from the beginning. The intro has a keys-driven first portion and an orchestral second portion. At the start, the keys impressively deliver energy in a package that is original while reminding us of the title track from the Genesis concept album “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.” The orchestral portion steps up the intensity, then ends with a step down to the body of the song and the voice of Sara McDonald.
The song is characterized by its varied intensity. Well-conceived and skillfully executed crescendos are prominent citizens in “To Covet A Quiet Mind.” But a favorite segment of the song is the instrumental bridge that begins around the 2:40 mark.
The NYChillharmonic is based in Brooklyn, New York. Their Bandcamp page describes their genre as Progressive Jazz/Rock, and notes that they are “not 'Big Band,' just a big band.” NYChillharmonic compositions have twice been awarded ASCAP’s “Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award” and once-awarded the ASCAP “Phoebe Jacobs Prize.” Sara McDonald was also included in Brooklyn Magazines annual “30 under 30" list, highlighting successful musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs in New York City.
“To Covet A Quiet Mind” by The NYChillharmonic
The majesty of “To Covet A Quiet Mind” is apparent from the beginning. The intro has a keys-driven first portion and an orchestral second portion. At the start, the keys impressively deliver energy in a package that is original while reminding us of the title track from the Genesis concept album “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.” The orchestral portion steps up the intensity, then ends with a step down to the body of the song and the voice of Sara McDonald.
The song is characterized by its varied intensity. Well-conceived and skillfully executed crescendos are prominent citizens in “To Covet A Quiet Mind.” But a favorite segment of the song is the instrumental bridge that begins around the 2:40 mark.
The NYChillharmonic is based in Brooklyn, New York. Their Bandcamp page describes their genre as Progressive Jazz/Rock, and notes that they are “not 'Big Band,' just a big band.” NYChillharmonic compositions have twice been awarded ASCAP’s “Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award” and once-awarded the ASCAP “Phoebe Jacobs Prize.” Sara McDonald was also included in Brooklyn Magazines annual “30 under 30" list, highlighting successful musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs in New York City.
“To Covet A Quiet Mind” by The NYChillharmonic
The credits for “To Covet A Quiet Mind” are included
on the Facebook page of The NYChillharmonic:
Composition, arrangement, orchestration, vocals, and additional synthesizers by Sara McDonald (bandleader)
Alto - Brian Plautz
Tenor 1 - Emily Pecoraro
Tenor 2 - Neta Raanan
Bari - Drew Vandewinckel
Trumpet 1 - Michael Sarian
Trumpet 2 - Tree Palmedo
Trombone 1 - Nick Grinder
Trombone 2 - Nathan Wood
Tuba - Harry Phillips
Violin 1 - Tiffany Weiss
Violin 2 - Ayna Ivanova
Viola - Will Marshall
Cello - Sasha Ono
Piano - Ryan Connors
Guitar - Shubh Saran
Bass - Adam Neely
Drums - Joshua Bailey
The Choir -
Sopranos - Gracie Terzian, Jamie Mercado
Altos - Robyn Adele Anderson, Juliet Samuels
Tenors - Jake Samuels, Alvec Plan
Bass - Jordan Rubenstein, Chris Peters
The Orchestra - Prague Philharmonic
Additional guitar overdubs by Amit Peled
Additional sting overdubs by Gabe Terracciano
Recorded at the Bunker Studio, Slumberland, and
with the Prague Philharmonic in Prague, CZ
Big Band recording engineered by Alex Conroy
Additional vocal, guitar, string, and synth overdub recording engineered by Amit Peled
Additional vocal recording engineered by Gary DeAngelo
Produced by Amit Peled
Mixed and mastered by Vlad Orzhekhovskiy
Additional production and copyist work by Joe Benjamin
Additional organization and musician hiring by Josh Bailey and Ryan Connors
Art by Lev Sloujitel
Video footage captured and edited by Liz Maney
Additional live footage captured at The Parkway in Minneapolis, MN by Jake Buckley
Composition, arrangement, orchestration, vocals, and additional synthesizers by Sara McDonald (bandleader)
Alto - Brian Plautz
Tenor 1 - Emily Pecoraro
Tenor 2 - Neta Raanan
Bari - Drew Vandewinckel
Trumpet 1 - Michael Sarian
Trumpet 2 - Tree Palmedo
Trombone 1 - Nick Grinder
Trombone 2 - Nathan Wood
Tuba - Harry Phillips
Violin 1 - Tiffany Weiss
Violin 2 - Ayna Ivanova
Viola - Will Marshall
Cello - Sasha Ono
Piano - Ryan Connors
Guitar - Shubh Saran
Bass - Adam Neely
Drums - Joshua Bailey
Sopranos - Gracie Terzian, Jamie Mercado
Altos - Robyn Adele Anderson, Juliet Samuels
Tenors - Jake Samuels, Alvec Plan
Bass - Jordan Rubenstein, Chris Peters
Additional sting overdubs by Gabe Terracciano
Big Band recording engineered by Alex Conroy
Additional vocal, guitar, string, and synth overdub recording engineered by Amit Peled
Additional vocal recording engineered by Gary DeAngelo
Produced by Amit Peled
Mixed and mastered by Vlad Orzhekhovskiy
Additional production and copyist work by Joe Benjamin
Additional organization and musician hiring by Josh Bailey and Ryan Connors
Art by Lev Sloujitel
Video footage captured and edited by Liz Maney
Additional live footage captured at The Parkway in Minneapolis, MN by Jake Buckley
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