Four Winds' first event was Her Power Comes in Dreamtime, a choral observance of The Full Moon for the spiritual networking organization New Moon New York.
This was followed by The Songs of Solstice, an all-singing and dancing celebration of Yuletide, to celebrate and honor the Winter Solstice.
We created and presented Those Who Have Gone Before, a choral interpretation of Samhain, the Celtic New Year with an honoring of the ancestors and remembrances of the honored dead.
Four Winds has performed at New Moon's Bizarre Bazaar, the interfaith Winter Solstice Celebration and Magickal Medley at The Centerfold Coffeehouse, A Spring Equinox Celebration at The Knitting Factory, the Starwood gathering and New MoonÍs Pre-New YearÍs Coffeehouse.
We are particularly proud of our appearance at The Witches' Ball 1996, A Benefit for People With AIDS. In concert and in ritual support with Wiccan Elder Dr. Leo Martello and Shadowfok Coven, helping to raise over $3000 for New York area AIDS/HIV victims.
In may of 1997, we performed at Manhattan Magick, an Urban Celebration of Earth Spirituality, an all-day festival event. Sharing the stage with pagan performers such as Real Magic, Judith Zwieman, Sarah Stockwell, and Miz Imani Buchanan with Circle, Skin and Bone (formerly Rhythm Alive!), the chorus put in it's best performance to date, receiving critical acclaim in the NY spiritual community.
Four Winds also provides teaching circles for local spiritual groups on sacred music and bardic traditions. In addition to the talents of the members as singers, drummers, musicians and dancers, we have a number of experienced teachers, with expertise in a number of vocations and spiritual traditions. Sharing and teaching this material is an important part of our mission. In the past two years we have provided workshops and teachings in the following areas of Bardic traditions:
The Bardic Path: Sacred Songs and Chants. Explores the use of sacred music and the drum in ritual, ceremony, celebration or just to make a joyous sound.
The Drummer's Path : Ritual Use of the Drum. The role and use of the drum in ritual, ceremony, circle, celebration or just to lift the spirit. Introduces many drum traditions, how to support ritual, singing and chanting with the drum, using the drum to move energy.
Bardic Path II: The Way of the Bardic Circle. To explore and experience the Bardic Circle as a place of sharing, of teaching and of celebration. Introduces Bardic Circle lore and techniques.
Drummer's Path II: The Many Songs of The Drum. The relationship of the drum to songs and chant. Many people on spiritual paths have difficulty in singing and drumming at the same time. For Drummers seeking their voices and Singers approaching the drum.
Workshop and teaching circle material is drawn from Pagan, Native, Folk, Pop and World Musical and Bardic traditions. Custom material can be assembled or tailored to any group or age level.
If anybody has a project or event that they think might be good for Four Winds, we're all ears! Just let us know. Bear in mind that the more lead time we have, the more likely we will be able to accomodate your event, performance, circle, ritual or teaching.
While performance events and the Five Year Project are interesting, that is only a portion of our mission. Our basic mandate is the study and promotion of this music of the spirit. Towards that goal, in addition to Concert Performances, we also provide Teaching Circles and Workshops. We create and manifest Choral Ritual, Ceremony and Earth Celebrations. We also support others' rituals and ceremonies through the Bardic Arts, andwe have also performed two Handfastings.
Visit our About The Chorus page to see more about what we do.
Please contact us at khgriffith@verizon.net if we can be of sonic service in any way.