We are delighted to announce that this long-anticipated CD here!
Thanks to all of you who already preordered and contributed to the costs of this project! Thanks also for your patience! You should have already received your CDs. After over 2 years of preparations and work
Free Range Hymns – CD release show!
Thursday, August 24, at 6:30 p.m.
Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster
328 W. Orange St, Lancaster, PA 17603
We hope you can join us for the CD release show. There will be some hymn singing, as well as performances of music from the album. All are welcome to enjoy the evening. No entry fee—donations appreciated. Of course, CDs will be available.
This recording project is a collaboration among Daryl Snider & Frances Crowhill Miller (of Sopa Sol) and Nathan Bontrager, an extraordinarily talented and innovative musician. Nathan performs and teaches in Germany most of the year and over recent years has been indulging in Appalachian music. All 3 of us grew up in the greater Mennonite church community, and while we've each traveled beyond those walls the songs and the practice of singing together are part of the allure that keeps us coming back.
This CD includes 10 hymns, chosen with care and done with our peculiar blend of arrangement and improvisation, with both traditional and experimental sounds. Last August, after over a year of preparation, we spent 3 intensive days at Blue Angel Studios with recording engineer Rusty Richards. These tracks have been carefully mixed and mastered, and we have collaborated with Amanda Gross (album art) and Michael Eby-Good (design).
After a marathon and a final sprint, we are thrilled with the results and excited to share these recordings with you! You can get CDs at the release event, or order and/or download from our website: sopasol.com/music.
New addition
You may have noticed that Sopa Sol had fewer performances since the end of last year. In December, Frances,Tim and Eli welcomed Niko into the family! Frances has been busy mothering two young boys. Sopa Sol enjoyed playing with Jeff Raught at the Hans Herr House on July 22 (no, we were not rained out!), and we hope to gradually play more. Watch our website Events page for upcoming performances.
Health and happiness,
Sopa Sol