Ensembles
John A Graham has over fifteen years experience performing and directing ensembles.
Aghsavali Ensemble (2009-present)
John is a member of the Aghsavali Ensemble, a Georgian men's choir based in Tbilisi devoted to the promotion and performance of Georgian traditional chant. There are many videos on the Performance page of this website; here is also an audio recording:
- Esaia Mkhiaruli Iqav - Rejoice, Oh Isaiah!
Yale Georgian Choir (2015-2016)
Video on the Performances page of this website.
Yale Gamelan Ensemble (2015-2016)
Princeton Georgian Choirs (2006-2013)
John served as artistic director and concert organizer for this ensemble of Princeton undergraduates, graduate students, and staff members. There are links to video on the Performances page of this website; here are also some audio recordings:
- Alilo, Imeruli - Christmas carol, Imereti region (audio)
- Tsamokruli - improvised trio song, Guria region (audio)
Princeton Maracatu Brazilian Marching Band (2012)
John was a performer in this new Princeton ensemble, directed by Scott Kettner of Maracatu-NewYork. See live video of our first performance:
- Princeton Maracatu, first live performance, December 2012
Princeton Bata Drumming Group (2009)
John was a performer with the ensemble, directed by Elizabeth Sayre.
Musica Alta (2006)
Musica Alta is Princeton University's early music ensemble. For a program of Ockeghem and Binchois (2006), John was a baritone performer.
Northern Harmony (2004)
John was a singer with this semi-professional ensemble on a 35-concert tour of Great Britain. His trio regularly performed one of the more difficult Georgian sacred chants on that tour:
- Siqvarulman Mogiqvana - Love has Brought us
Wesleyan University (1998-2003)
- West African drum and dance ensemble under the direction of Abraham Adzenyah
- Karnatak raga, solkattu, and mrdungam under the direction of TJ Viswanathan and David Nelson
- Renaissance vocal ensemble, Collegium, under the direction of Jane Alden
- Wesleyan Gospel Choir, directed by Pastor Marichal Monts
- Wesleyan Spirits a cappella group
- New Music Ensemble Rosentest, directed by Edward Jessen
- Organ with Rob Ebrecht
- Wesleyan Singers with Neely Bruce
Senior Recital (Wesleyan University, 2003)
For his senior recital at Wesleyan (2003), John transcribed and taught Georgian chants and folksongs to a small men's ensemble including Peter Wilson-Tobin, Ari Wolfe, Wes Pedersen, Mark Vorkink, Aaron Taylor, Iain Macleod. From the final concert live recording, here is a sample of tracks:
- Orovela - cartsong, Kartli region
- Qanuri - Worksong, Imereti region
- Motsikulni Kristesagan - Hymn to St. Nino, Eastern Georgian chant school
- Shen Khar Venakhi - You are the Vineyard, West Georgian chant school
- Mravalzhamier - Many Years, Imereti region