Having fielded many inquiries on how this chamber choir has come about, I'll share the short version of the story, which acknowledges three important coinciding occurrences. First, the vision that I have had for a few years of a chamber choir focusing on recent choral music of beauty and power. Second, the new goal of the Festival of Faith and the Arts at Bethany Lutheran Church to host a chamber choir-in-residence in addition to presenting the many concerts by choruses and other ensembles. Third, the presence in Denver of fine singers who have an intense desire to work with colleagues to create exceptional music. Boulder and Denver have no shortage of acclaimed and highly regarded choral ensembles, whose concerts I attend and treasure. And yet, there are still more skilled singers interested in participating in the art, passionate and committed to choral music.
The predecessor gathering of Voices of Light Chamber Choir, or Voices, met one evening in June 2011 to record a seven minute, a cappella, double chorus work that I began to hear in my head while in India, unplugged from computers and media, about the sounds that arise from the fullness of silence. I called up sixteen singers who I knew could read through the score and make a viable recording in an evening's time; they were interested in the project and we laid down a lovely track.
Following this recording session, I received an invitation from the Festival of Faith and the Arts to assemble a chamber choir that would be "in residence" at the Festival. Eight of the singers in the recording session were available to continue on with this long-term project; the other eight were recommended by other conductors and colleagues in the area. Our rehearsal period for the first concert in January 2012 is focused: it spans only two weeks and a day but meets frequently.
Voices aims to create choral music of power and beauty, and we know that that sound is built one moment at a time, one rehearsal at a time, one performance at a time. Music is fleeting - it lasts only in the moment, then dissipates. However, the right music, heard at the right time, when a listener is open, sung with intention and skill, echoes on in the mind and heart.
Voices looks forward to becoming part of the Colorado choral community and supports our collegial ensembles. Whether you are a conductor, music educator, singer, scholar, Bethany supporter, composer, or listener, we welcome you to our community.
The predecessor gathering of Voices of Light Chamber Choir, or Voices, met one evening in June 2011 to record a seven minute, a cappella, double chorus work that I began to hear in my head while in India, unplugged from computers and media, about the sounds that arise from the fullness of silence. I called up sixteen singers who I knew could read through the score and make a viable recording in an evening's time; they were interested in the project and we laid down a lovely track.
Following this recording session, I received an invitation from the Festival of Faith and the Arts to assemble a chamber choir that would be "in residence" at the Festival. Eight of the singers in the recording session were available to continue on with this long-term project; the other eight were recommended by other conductors and colleagues in the area. Our rehearsal period for the first concert in January 2012 is focused: it spans only two weeks and a day but meets frequently.
Voices aims to create choral music of power and beauty, and we know that that sound is built one moment at a time, one rehearsal at a time, one performance at a time. Music is fleeting - it lasts only in the moment, then dissipates. However, the right music, heard at the right time, when a listener is open, sung with intention and skill, echoes on in the mind and heart.
Voices looks forward to becoming part of the Colorado choral community and supports our collegial ensembles. Whether you are a conductor, music educator, singer, scholar, Bethany supporter, composer, or listener, we welcome you to our community.
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