The Singers Elite

The Singers Elite is my vocal contracting and referral service to the entertainment industry. It started in 1986 by providing Christmas carolers to the Queen Mary Entertainment complex, and expanded into other areas of vocal music.

In addition to our resident vocal ensembles -- The Nickelodeon Barbershop Quartet, The Singers Elite Christmas Carolers and Pacific Swingline Vocal Jazz Quintet -- we also can assemble choirs of any size and refer solo singers for most musical genres.

The Singers Elite Vocal Big Band

This deserves special mention, as it's the largest, most elaborate musical project I've created myself.

This is a full sized, Tommy Dorsey-style big band, performing the classic arrangements of the big band era, but replacing the horns and strings with singers.

The genre was pioneered by the legendary Ward Swingle of the Swingle Singers, and he has provided several arrangements of his own and proofread the other arrangements for this project.

Utilizing the best professional singers in this part of the world, and jazz legends in the rhythm section, it's a musical experience that is completely unique and garnering raves from around the world.

OrganMuse

My wife is an organist, and after years of being her page turner, I decided that it was time to find a technological alternative.

Working with our Korean partners Amusetec, we developed a computerized system that displays the music on a computer screen, turns the pages automatically, changes stops automatically and brings up the next piece of music on your concert list automatically when you finish each piece.

The 21st century has arrived.

Choral Taste of Los Angeles

In 2002, I began producing a reading session of choral music by Los Angeles area composers. L.A. has one of the widest and deepest talent pools in the world, but I felt that much of the truly glorious choral music being written in town wasn't seeing the light of day because it didn't fit the publishers' idea of a commercial success.

So, once a year, we gather on a Saturday morning in January to read through choral music of all kinds, written by composers of all kinds, and presented by the composers themselves. Over the years we've had presenters like Morton Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, JAC Redford, Ed Lojeski, Austin Wintory, Byron Smith, David Clydesdale, and many others you may not have heard of (but should have).

The attendees are the choir, and one of our caterer friends provides a gourmet lunch. It's a wonderful day, open to the singing public and all are welcome.

Testimonial - Christopher Gambol, professional singer & corporate trainer

"Jim Raycroft gets things done! Jim accomplishes his musical goals and he does it with efficiency, accuracy and with the most gracious attitude. There is no drama with Jim, no unreturned phone calls, no half-promises. It is such a pleasure to work with a person who consistently shows the highest integrity and bulldogged determination to get the project right - no shortcuts, only top quality work. As important as getting the work done promptly and efficiently, what really distinguishes Jim is the kindness and generous spirit he displays. In the 25 plus years that I have known Jim he still impresses me with his upbeat attitude."