Eric Ericson Chamber Choir

The Eric Ericson Chamber Choir (= EECC) was founded in 1945 by Eric Ericson. and has ever since held a central position in the Swedish and international music scene. The particular aim of the choir and its leader to contiually search out new music and new fields of work. has today resulted in a very wide repertoire, stretching from the renaissance to the latest avantgarde. The EECC, with its characteristic Nordic sound and wide ranging virtousity, has been an ideal ensemble for several generations of Swedish composers.

Internationally the EECC is in the absolute top league of professional choirs, receiving many international awards, including the Deutsche Schailplattenpreis and the Edison Prize. Several tours are made every year which have taken the choir throughout Europe, the USA and Canada. The EECC has made numerous recordings of the a cappe!!a repertoire and is to be found in the catalogues of many record companies.

Esoterics

The Esoterics is a Seattle-based vocal ensemble that is dedicated to performing and perpetuating contemporary a cappella choral settings of poetry, philosophy, and spiritual writings from around the world. While cultivating artistic expression and cultural understanding among its singers and audience alike, The Esoterics aspires to reflect the beauty, power, and significance that are inherent in the music of our time

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir has become the best-known Estonian classical music performer and one of the best choirs in the world. In 2001-2007 the choir's chief conductor and artistic director was Paul Hillier. The renown British musician has widened the choir's perspectives and continued their success both in the recording field and as a performing group at prominent concert venues and festivals. Since September 2008 the chief conductor and artistic director is Daniel Reuss.

EPCC was founded in 1981 by Tonu Kaljuste, who acted as artistic director and chief conductor for 20 years. It was first formed as an amateur chamber choir Ellerhein, founded by Tonu Kaljuste's father Heino Kaljuste (1925-1989) on the 15th anniversary of the children's choir Ellerhein in 1966. In 1971 Tonu Kaljuste became the conductor of the chamber choir Ellerhein, on the basis of which he formed the full-time professional EPCC.

Ex Cathedra

Ex Cathedra is a British choir and early music ensemble based in Birmingham in the West Midlands, England. It performs choral music spanning the 15th to 21st centuries, and regularly commissions new works.

Ex Cathedra was founded in Birmingham in 1969 by Jeffrey Skidmore, who is its artistic director and conductor. Originally conceived as a chamber choir, it now comprises a full choir of about 20 to 40 singers, the Ex Cathedra Consort made up of ten young professional singers who feature regularly as soloists, and a Baroque ensemble/orchestra.

Exon Singers

The Exon Singers is recognised as one of the UK's leading chamber choirs. Founded in 1966, it has become renowned for its dynamic and expressive performances of music from the Renaissance to the present day.

The Exon Singers can often be heard on BBC Radios 3 and 4 and on CD. In December 2009 the choir recorded a second disc with the Regent Records label, of previously unrecorded music of Philip Wilby, who was the Composer in Residence at the 2009 Festival. This CD is to be released in 2011 and follows on from the choir's first disc with Regent released in the summer of 2010, of previously unrecorded music by Philip Moore. Philip Moore was the choir's Festival Composer in Residence in 2008, having then recently retired as Organist and Master of the Music at York Minster. Previous recordings by the choir include critically acclaimed discs with the Delphian label, of music by Howard Skempton, Dr Francis Jackson, and in 2004 a first recording of a reconstruction of Vespers by Tomas Luis de Victoria.

First Call

The Christian a cappella group, First Call, have reinvigorated the familiar Christmas classics with fresh arrangements and sincere renditions of the old favorites. Appearances by guest vocalists and multi-tracking allow for a multiplicity of textures and sounds. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" will rekindle good will toward all in even the most cynical holiday Grinch. "The New Twelve Days of Christmas" replaces the partridge and pear tree with shopping malls and choir rehearsals, and segues brilliantly into "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The shimmering, pure vocal tones are augmented by the crisp, digital production. This is an "Evening" you won't want to miss!

Flemish Radio Choir

In the world of choral music the increasingly higher standards reached in recent years by a number of chamber-sized choirs has been a hugely encouraging development. With every intention and capacity to join such an elite group is Glossa's recent signing, the Vlaams Radio Koor from Belgium - the Flemish Radio Choir. Its 24 professional singers are now under the baton of chief conductor Bo Holten. Other leading international conductors also appear at the helm of the Flemish Radio Choir: eminent guest conductors such as Kaspars Putninsh, Laszlo Heltay, Paul Hillier and Herve Niquet enjoy working with the choir.

The choir's beginnings reach back to the years 1936/7 when it was brought into being at the behest of the national Belgian Radio, with the task of cooperating in every broadcast of the radio requiring a choir. This remained under the direction of conductors such as Leonce Gras, Jan Van Bouwel and Vic Nees until the Radio Orchestra and the Radio Choir became independent and actually separated from the broadcasting company in 1996. Since that time the choir has been a concert ensemble rather than being based in the studio, touring extensively not just in Belgium but also in France, Spain and The Netherlands.

Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians

One of the enduring images of the 1920s is of the college boy in a raccoon coat, out for some jazz kicks with a hip flask and a flapper on his arm. Waring's Pennsylvanians popularized this type of image through their music, stage shows, and film appearances. The band was formed in 1918 at Pennsylvania State University by the brothers Fred and Tom Waring, and their friends Freddy Buck and Poley McClintock.

They first billed themselves as the Waring-McClintock Snap Orchestra and then became Waring's Banjo Orchestra before adopting the name of Waring's Pennsylvanians in 1922. In 1923 they had a big hit with the record Sleep and the song continued to be the band's theme song for many years to come.

Glasgow Phoenix Choir

p>Founded in 1951 (though able to trace its history via the iconic Glasgow Orpheus Choir to 1901) it continues to perform new arrangements (and old) of Scottish song for which it is widely known throughout the British Isles, Europe, and North America. (We even have our own tartan, pictured left!) However, this is only part of the Choir's extensive repertoire which extends from oratorio, opera, chamber music, and sacred music from all the major composers through choral songs and folk music of many cultures to music from the shows including many of the top musicals currently showing all over the world. Whilst this is not a religious/church choir and neither is it an orchestral/theatrical chorus, it has elements of all of these and more in its catalogue, has recorded over 30 albums and boasts a library that currently has over 1000 titles of all genres.

Gloriae Dei Cantores

Gloriae Dei Cantores (Singers to the Glory of God) holds a passionate dedication to illuminate truth and beauty through choral artistry, celebrating a rich tradition of sacred choral music from Gregorian chant through the twenty-first century. The choir has received extensive critical acclaim for its artistic elegance, performance authenticity, and compelling spirituality. Sharing its vision of inspiration and hope, Gloriae Dei Cantores has toured extensively, touching the hearts of audiences in 24 countries in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Director Elizabeth Patterson has led the choir in a number of world premieres, and appeared on the concert stage and in recordings with Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Samuel Adler, Mark O'Conner, Stephen Cleobury, Vladimir Minin, and the late George Guest, Mary Berry, and Margaret Hillis, among others.

Gothic Voices

Like so many of the best things in life, the birth of Gothic Voices came about almost by accident. Back in 1980 Christopher Page was asked by the BBC to put together a programme of plainchant by the 12th century Abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Record producer Ted Perry tuned in to that broadcast and it so impressed him that he set up what was to become one of the best-selling recordings of pre-classical music ever made: A Feather on the Breath of God - Hymns and Sequences by Abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Since that time, Gothic Voices has recorded a further twenty CDs on the Hyperion label, three of which have won the coveted Gramophone Magazine Award.

Grex Vocalis

Grex Vocalis - ( The Singing Flock ) - was formed in 1971. The repertoire spans from renaissance to contemporary Norwegian music. The choir has been awarded the "Norwegian Grammy" for three of its 13 albums and won 1st prizes in national and international contests: Arezzo, Gorizia, Tolosa and Marktoberdorf. In 1999 Grex Vocalis was awarded "Il Gran Premio Citta di Arezzo" as the best choir in that years contest. Over the years Grex Vocalis has commissioned and premiered works by several Norwegian composers but also performed important baroque works like Handel: Messiah, Bach: Christmas Oratorio, Rameau: In convertendo, Quam dilecta, Charpentier: Te Deum, Lully: Te Deum, Delalande: Te Deum etc with orchestra and soloists. The first Norwegian recording of Handels Messiah was released in 1997 with Grex Vocalis and Oslo Baroque Orchestra.

Guelph Youth Singers

Guelph Youth Singers (GYS), now in its 20th season, has become a high profile representative of the City of Guelph in the field of choral music. The organization was founded in 1991 to provide children and youth with an opportunity to experience a professional level of musicianship. The four treble choirs in the organization are: Choir I, a training choir of children aged 6 and up; Choir II, a more advanced training choir of children and youth aged 9 and up; Choir III, a choir for singers who have superior singing and music reading skills, aged 11 and up; and the Chamber Choir, singers aged 14 and up chosen from Choir III who rehearse separately and prepare more challenging repertoire. Drawing from all choirs, a seasonal Boys Choir was developed in 2005 to compete in the Guelph Kiwanis Festival, to sing a feature piece in the major spring concert, and, more generally, to encourage the boys to appreciate their special part in the overall choir.

Weekly instruction includes vocal technique, theory and sight singing, and is augmented with workshops by guest clinicians in drama, movement and voice throughout the year. GYS performs up to five major concerts per season as well as workshop, festival, corporate, community and guest performances.

Handel and Haydn Society

Founded in Boston in 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society is the oldest continuously performing arts organization in the United States. The Society is a renowned period orchestra and professional chorus, performing music of the baroque and classical periods on the instruments and with the techniques of the time in which it was composed. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Harry Christophers, the Society's mission is "to perform baroque and classical music at the highest levels of artistic excellence and to share that music with as large and diverse an audience as possible."

Harvard University Choir

Approximately 50 singers form the Sunday Choir, a group that performs a wide range of choral literature for the Sunday services of The Memorial Church in Harvard Yard. The choir attracts singers who like a challenge, singing a wide variety of music at a professional standard with a weekly performance deadline. The group performs in the annual Christmas Carol Services and Spring Concert, and collaborates with other musical groups, both on and off campus. The Sunday Choir also undertakes both international and domestic tours. In recognition of their commitment, all members of this group are paid. Auditions for positions in the Sunday Choir are held early in the Fall Term.

His Majestie's Clerkes

Bella Voce, Chicago's premier a cappella vocal ensemble, will present a series of fall, holiday, and spring concerts. Andrew Lewis, Bella Voce's artistic director, will conduct..

Bella Voce performs traditional and contemporary, sacred, and secular choral music that inspires and exhilarates its audiences. The stellar choral group honors the traditions that won it so many admirers and supporters over the years. It also expands and explores new repertoire, and strives to attract new audiences and new sources of financial support.

Holst Singers

The Holst Singers are one of Britain's foremost choirs, described by the BBC as "a leading chorus on the international stage". In addition to their busy concert diary, they frequently broadcast on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, and regularly record for leading classical labels. With the support of their President, James Bowman, and Musical Director, Stephen Layton, the choir has developed an interest in exploring new and neglected works as well as core choral repertoire.

Recent CD releases include Ikon II, the long awaited sequel to Ikon (1997), a disc that immediately became a cult classic and a best-seller. Ikon II brings together a selection of Russian choral masterpieces in an extraordinary disc which is immediately enthralling. Recently reviewed on BBC Radio 3 Record Review, the disc was describled as "impeccable... so, so well-conceived" and Jeremy Summerly, the guest-reviewer commented on the choir's "phenomenal sound".

Hover Chamber Choir

The Armenian word Hover (wind) frequently occurs in beautiful folk songs by Komitas, a revered name in Armenian sacred and folk music, which is part of the choir's core repertoire. Wind is a primordial element of nature and a life force - it is part of the 'ecology of the soul', a spirit sweeping through time and, like an epic, legend or tale........

This youthful, musically progressive chamber choir is proud to be able to present Armenian music to the wider world. Both old and new music from the Armenian nation has been a very well-kept secret. Hover has been privileged to be able to be one of the most active Chamber choirs in promoting Armenian music and the wealth of treasure with which this beholds.

The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Hover: Chamber Choir of Armenia was established in Yerevan, Armenia in 1992 as a performing arts group, consisting of 26 singers many of whom are students, or graduates, of the Komitas National Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia. The choir is supported by donations and honoraria. The tale of Hover began over ten years ago, and continues to evolve......

Huddersfield Choral Society

Founded in 1836, Huddersfield Choral Society has an international reputation as the UK's leading choral society, producing a unique and thrilling full-bodied 'Huddersfield Sound' from over 200 voices.

The repertoire includes both oratorio and religious music, contemporary and commissioned works. The Society's busy schedule is centred on its own subscription concert season in Huddersfield Town Hall, including of course annual performances of Messiah. The choir also visits other major concert halls in the UK and abroad, regularly broadcasts for BBC radio and television, and has a long history of pioneering recordings.

Indiana University Children's Choir

Founded in 1980 by Dr. Mary Goetze and Dr. Jean Sinor, the mission of the Indiana University Children's Choir is to teach young people to value and experience excellent singing through musical activities which develop skills, sharing, self-expression, and personal growth. This goal will result in a lifelong appreciation of fine music.

Iowa State Singers

The Iowa State Singers is a 72-member mixed choral ensemble comprised of students from all areas of study at Iowa State. This select ensemble performs the finest literature from Renaissance to contemporary. In addition to performing various concerts locally, the Iowa State Singers tour annually and present an authentic Madrigal Dinner every January.

Last year, the Iowa State Singers were honored with an invitation to perform at the 2009 ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) National Convention, Thursday, March 5, in the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City, OK. The Singers were one of just six collegiate choirs selected nationally to give solo performances. Thousands of choral conductors from the United States and abroad were in attendance. The Singers were last honored with an ACDA National Convention appearance in 2005, where they gave three performances before enthusiastic audiences in Los Angeles, CA.

Isthmus Vocal Ensemble

The Isthmus Vocal Ensemble comprises a temporary community of Madison's finest singers. Gathered around a single event, for a chance to work with our guest conductor, this group brings a high level of individual skill, and a remarkable ability to quickly bond together.

It started as a strange thought: Why not bring Madison's best choral singers together with a gifted conductor for two intensive weeks, and harness that collective creative energy for a single performance?

Joyful Company Of Singers

One of Europe's most prominent chamber choirs, the JCS is renowned for its virtuosity and intensity of spirit, as well as for an astoundingly wide repertoire, ranging from the 16th Century to the present day. An important element of the choir's raison d'etre is its commitment to contemporary and new music, including a high proportion of first performances, and supported by several highly-successful Educational Projects. Many composers have written music for JCS, including David Bedford, Michael Berkeley, Judith Bingham, Jonathan Harvey, Alun Hoddinott, Roxanna Panufnik, Kaija Saariaho and Malcolm Williamson.

Kansas City Chorale

Since the debut performance in 1982, the Kansas City Chorale has provided audiences with a high caliber of choral artistry, performing a diverse repertoire of new and traditional music. Under Charles Bruffy's leadership the choir has garnered international recognition for artistic merit, having been praised for its refined sound, phrasing and flawless intonation.

As a cornerstone of the Kansas City performing arts community, the Chorale creates concert programs and recordings that educate, engage, provoke, and inspire listeners. The Chorale's ongoing outreach efforts facilitate the development of local talent, while providing students and their instructors with the opportunity to learn from world-class vocalists.

Kantorei

Founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Axel Theimer, Kantorei is a high-quality a cappella choral ensemble of about 40 singers with a focus on distinctive European choral literature.

La Venexiana

The name La Venexiana is taken from an anonymous Renaissance comedy, one of the cardinal points of reference in Italian theatre both for its use of language, a combination of Italian and dialect, and for its acute rendering of a society and its manners. In styling itself after this glorious tradition, La Venexiana aims to incorporate into its musical interpretations an attention to language in all of its subtlety, and an exultation of contrasts between the refined and the popular, the sacred and the profane. This ensemble has established a new style in Italian early music performance: a warm, truly Mediterranean blend of textual declamation, rhetorical colour and harmonic refinement. Born of the collaboration between soprano Rossana Bertini and countertenor Claudio Cavina, its current musical director, La Venexiana makes a careful use of the original sources, keeping the activity of the ensemble always stimulating and full of enjoyable surprises.

Lawrence Children's Choir

Founded in 1991 by sisters Janeal Crabb Krehbiel and Marilyn Crabb Epp, the Lawrence Children's Choir has grown from one 40-voice choir to an organization comprised of six choirs serving approximately 250 singers from Northeast Kansas, including the communities of Lawrence, Perry, Emporia, Osage City, Topeka, Baldwin City and Eudora. Current choirs include Capo, for preschool-kindergarten students; Cadenza, for kindergarten-3rd grade students; Choristers for 3rd-6th grade students; Tour Choir for 5th-10th grade students; the Ambassador Choir for 8th-10th grade students, and the Crescendo Choir, for senior citizens. Upon Janeal Krehbiel's retirement in April, 2012, long-time assistant Carolyn Welch as

Lege Artis Chamber Choir

The Lege Artis Chamber Choir established by Boris Abalian in 1987 (the Latin name of the choir means "by the law of art") is an ensemble of 25 professional musicians. In the very first years of its existence, LEGE ARTIS became recognized and widely known, winning at five international competitions (Neerpelt, Belgium, 1990; Montreux, Switzerland, 1991; Tours, France, 1991; Darmstadt, Germany, 1995; Torrevieja, Spain, 1997). Today, Lege Artis enjoys a stable international reputation of a highly professional ensemble; the choir frequently tours in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, France, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Estonia, year after year expanding its touring geography.

Los Angeles Chamber Singers

Los Angeles Chamber Singers & Cappella are one of L.A.s premier professional chamber choirs. Founded in 1990, Chamber Singers is a mixed choir of 24 voices performing primarily contemporary American choral literature in the a cappella tradition, with a specific dedication to Angeleno composers. The early music ensemble Cappella was added in 1993 and performs primarily sacred music written between 1350-1650 in period vocal style, with emphases on 16th century European music, 17th century colonial Mexican music (especially Padilla), and 18th century colonial American music (especially Billings). On 11th February 2007, Cappella won the 2006 GrammyAward in Best Small Ensemble Performance for their latest release, PADILLA - Sun of Justice (RCM 12006). Chamber Singers' latest disc, EVENING WIND: Choral Music of J.A.C. Redford (Clarion 916), features both a cappella and accompanied works by Los Angeles-based veteran concert, film, and television composer Redford. Both ensembles have regularly appeared on national and local radio broadcasts and won the ASCAP-Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming in 2001.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary season, Los Angeles Children's Chorus under Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson is recognized throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality and technical ability. Founded in Pasadena in 1986, LACC performs frequently with leading music ensembles including the LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Calder Quartet and Pasadena Symphony. LACC also assists Los Angeles Opera by training and providing children for its opera productions that require children's chorus or child soloists.

Los Angeles Master Chorale

Giving a voice to Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), considered one of the world's leading choirs, is led by Music Director Grant Gershon. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, "Under Gershon, the Master Chorale seems to be able to master anything," The New York Times calls the choir "inspired," and The New York Observer declares it "a superb vocal ensemble." The Chorale is currently in its 47th season as a resident company of the Music Center of Los Angeles County and its 8th as the resident chorus at Disney Hall.

Luther College Nordic Choir

Nordic Choir, founded in 1946, enjoys national and international acclaim as a premier collegiate choral ensemble in the United States. Following the 57-year tenure of Weston Noble, Nordic is currently under the direction of Dr. Allen Hightower, named director of choral activities at Luther College in 2010.

Nordic Choir has toured extensively throughout the United States, performing in countless churches, schools, and concert halls, including Lincoln Center, New York; Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.; Orchestra Hall, Chicago; Orchestra Hall and the Historic State Theatre, Minneapolis; the Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, Minn.; Walt Disney concert Hall and the Crystal Cathedral, Los Angeles; and the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City. For the choir's current touring schedule, click here. Nordic Choir has also appeared at national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conventions in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Kansas City, and at the Music Educators National Conference in Kansas City, Mo.The choir was selected to perform at the 50th anniversary national convention of the ACDA in Oklahoma City, March 2009.

Michigan State Children's Choir

Founded on the belief that music dramatically enhances the quality of life, Michigan State University's Community Music School (CMS) offers opportunities for the study, appreciation, and therapeutic use of music while nurturing the musical development of all individuals. CMS is the outreach division of the MSU College of Music.

At CMS, students and therapy clients are brought together with music professionals who are committed to sharing their extraordinary gifts by offering accessible and affordable music instruction, music therapy, and performance opportunities for all in the community.

Millikin University Choirs

Showcasing its reputation for tonal diversity, the University Choir is garnering wide acclaim for it's varied styles and unique programming. In 85 years of touring history the choir has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad. The Choir's extensive touring history includes performances in Scandinavia, Russia, Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, England, China and Taiwan. This summer the choir is planning a Celtic Tour of Scotland and Ireland.

The choir's new CD, Hearts All Whole (2010) is available through First Step Records. In addition, the choir has several other CDs to its credit, including last year's live recording of the 51st annual Vespers at Millikin, a tradition that attracts 7,000 annually.

The University Choir has been invited to perform before three Regional and one National Conference of the American Choral Director's Association (ACDA). They are one of five university mixed choirs invited to perform for this years' ACDA National Conference in Chicago. The choir will tour Ireland and Scottland in May of 2011.

Milwaukee Children's Choir

Milwaukee Children's Choir is Southeastern Wisconsin's premier children's choir. We provide children with exceptional choral music instruction and performance experiences they can get nowhere else in the area. Founded by Emily Holt Crocker in 1994, a new era began when Carol Storck became MCC's Artistic Director in 2009.

Under Ms. Storck's leadership, we offer programs for children ages 4 through 18. All classes and rehearsals are educational, child centered, and age appropriate. We believe in educating the whole child, and work with the human voice to teach not only music but also important life skills such as poise, self-confidence, focus, problem solving, and teamwork. Experts agree that singing in a choir has a remarkably positive impact on children. Choir parents agree with the experts. Our choristers simply say how much fun it is to be a part of the choir!

Minnesota Choral Artists

Founded in 2004, The Singers organization is dedicated to giving world-class performances of the finest choral literature. The Singers exists to serve as artists, educators, and ambassadors of the choral art. Choir members are drawn from the region and come from all walks of life. Some are music educators, computer programmers, composers, bankers, woodworkers, artists, and church musicians.

In 2006, The Singers sang for the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Minnesota chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2008, The Singers performed at the North Central Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, the American Guild of Organists National Convention, and shared the stage with the world renowned Harvard Glee Club under the direction of Jameson Marvin.

Mississippi Children's Choir

The Mississippi Children's Choir was formed in 1990; comprising some 200 members from across the state, the assembled ranks -- all aged 7 to 17 -- were originally brought together as an opening act for headliners the Mississippi Mass Choir, but were such an immediate hit with audiences that they soon proceeded to record their own LP, 1992's Children of the King. With 1994's A New Creation, the Mississippi Children's Choir introduced featured vocalist Bryan Wilson, who soon after recorded his debut solo album Bryan's Songs. When God's Children Get Together followed in 1998. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Monteverdi Choir

The Monteverdi Choir, founded in 1964, is famous for its passionate, committed and virtuosic singing. Over the past forty five years it has been consistently acclaimed as one of the best choirs in the world, noted for its ability to switch composer, language and idiom with complete stylistic conviction. The Choir is also a fertile training ground for future generations of choral and solo singers: Choir members often step out to sing solo parts and many former choristers have gone on to spectacular solo careers. Since 2007, the Monteverdi Apprentice Scheme has added an exciting new dimension to the Choir's profile.

The Choir has undertaken a number of trail-blazing tours. The most ambitious was the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage in 2000 during which they performed all 198 of JS Bach's sacred cantatas in more than 60 churches throughout Europe, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composer's death.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The 360 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir represent men and women from many different backgrounds and professions and range in age from 25 to 60. They reflect a medley of unique lives and experiences and are brought together by their love for singing and their faith. Their incomparable voices are the common chord that unites to form the choral group known all over the world as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Choir has appeared at 13 world's fairs and expositions, performed at the inaugurations of five U.S. presidents, and sung for numerous worldwide telecasts and special events.

Five of the Choir's recordings have achieved "gold record" and two have achieved "platinum record" status. The most popular was the 1959 release of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" recorded with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra which won a Grammy award for Choir conductor Richard P. Condie.

Motet Singers

The Motet began in 1954 as an a cappella choir. Directed by Dave Jones, over 500 area singers have performed in The Motet. Performances included tours to almost every state, a performance at the White House, and appearances on television and radio. The Motet has performed in many local area churches and community centers. The group has published eight CD's of religious music.

Musica Intima

Internationally renowned for performances and recordings that sparkle with fresh insight and vibrant musicality, musica intima has earned a reputation as one of Canada's most exciting vocal ensembles.

What makes this group tick? The 12 professional singers rehearse and perform without a conductor. In rehearsal, they exchange ideas freely while exploring their own musical creativity. In performance, they engage the audience with a spontaneity and freshness all their own.

Musikanten

Musikanten (German for "musicians") was formed by Artistic Director Kerry Krebill in 1979 in Bethesda MD, as a project for her masters degree in choral conducting at the Catholic University of America. In its 31 seasons, the ensemble has made nearly a thousand appearances, including DC area concerts at the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, Kennedy Center, and venues in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, as well as 19 international tours, including Maestra Krebill's 50th birthday celebration singing Monteverdi's Vespers in Venice with the acclaimed ensemble now known as the Venice Baroque Orchestra.

The group continues to perform in the Washington area, appearing each year at a local First Night celebration, singing a traditional Latin Mass at St. Mary's in downtown DC, and to tour; in September 2007 Musikanten made its first foray to South America, performing in Buenos Aires, La Plata and Ayacucho, Argentina.

National Catholic Youth Choir

The National Catholic Youth Choir was founded in 2000. The choir is sponsored by the School of Theology•Seminary and meets on the grounds of Saint John's Abbey and Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. This choir was begun under the motto Spreading the Catholic Faith Through Great Music as a response to the call of Pope John Paul II for a "new evangelization." The choir sings music of various Christian traditions, ranging from medieval Gregorian chant to twentieth century music. The primary focus of the choir is liturgical, and the choir seeks to implement the directive of Vatican Council II that the "treasury of sacred music" be preserved and fostered in the modern liturgy.

National Lutheran Choir

The National Lutheran Choir, under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien, seeks to strengthen, renew and preserve the Lutheran heritage of choral music through the highest standards of performance and literature.

National Lutheran ChoirThe choir performs literature from the entire spectrum of sacred choral music, with and without instrumental accompaniment. The choir's rich and diverse repertoire ranges from early chant to new compositions and from simple folk anthems to complex orchestral masterworks.

Members of the National Lutheran Choir are drawn from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and beyond for weekly rehearsals and local and national performances. The ensemble presents a wide range of choral works in concert and worship settings, leads workshops in choral techniques, hymnody and liturgy, commissions and publishes new compositions, and broadcasts and records extensively. The choir was founded in 1986 by Dr. Larry Fleming.

National Youth Choir of Great Britain

Founded in 1983 by Mike Brewer and Carl Browning, NYCGB has grown to become one of the most highly regarded and inspirational youth music organisations in the world. Originally set up as a single choir made up of 100 of the best young singers in the nation, NYCGB now comprises of an educational structure of three Junior Choirs (NYJC), a choir for boys with changing voices (Cambiata), two Training Choirs (NYTC), the National Youth Choir (NYC) itself and the graduate Chamber Choir, Laudibus.

This year almost 800 talented young people, between the ages of 9 and 22, will enjoy the benefits of the NYCGB experience by taking part in a programme of residential courses and concerts. Courses include intensive rehearsals, individual voice coaching and lessons in musicianship: a combination that encourages the development of both teamwork and leadership skills. Course staff members are experts in the field of choral training and specific vocal workshops are provided by guest specialists.

Netherlands Chamber Choir

The Nederlands Kamerkoor (Netherlands Chamber Choir), founded by Felix de Nobel in 1937, is a full-time and independent professional vocal ensemble which concentrates on a cappella repertoire from the early Middle Ages until the present day.

In recent seasons the Nederlands Kamerkoor has commissioned works from various leading composers, and the world premieres of these compositions - by Sir John Tavener, James MacMillan, Edith Canat de Chizy, Gija Kancheli, Hans Kox, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Gerard Beljon, Mauricio Kagel and Jan Vriend - have been received enthusiastically by the press. The Nederlands Kamerkoor also put on a successful programme of songs by Burt Bacharach, arranged for the Nederlands Kamerkoor and instrumental combo by Bob Zimmerman. On the books for the near future are commissions for works by Peter-Jan Wagemans, Karin Rehnqvist, Elmer Schonberger and Sir Harrison Birtwistle.

New Orleans Children's Chorus

An advanced group of musicians who serve as the organization's premiere touring ensemble. Singers range in age from 10-18. Members perform a variety of compositions representing many musical styles from all periods. The Concert Chorus continues the development of musicianship in each individual singer, as well as the ensemble as a whole. Their tour destinations have included many cities in the United States, as well as Canada, Italy, England and Ireland.

The Concert Chorus has appeared at three regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. They have presented solo concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City, performed at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, served as Artists-in-Residence at three universities and performed frequently with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Orleans Symphony. The choirs have also won numerous awards in music festivals throughout the Southern United States and frequently perform with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Norman Luboff Choir

The Norman Luboff Choir was among the most popular choral ensembles of their day, releasing a series of hit easy-listening LPs during the late 1950s and 1960s. Luboff was born May 14, 1917 in Chicago, where he began his career as a vocalist and arranger for area radio programs. In 1948 he relocated to Hollywood, singing on to compose movie music for Warner Bros. The first incarnation of the Norman Luboff Choir was formed during the mid-1950s, and in the years to follow they released a series of albums on Columbia that drew on music from a variety of genres and geographic locales, with titles including Calypso Holiday, Broadway!, Songs Of The Cowboy and Songs Of The Caribbean. The choir also backed a number of vocalists including Harry Belafonte and Doris Day, and although their recording career came to a halt during the late 1960s, they continued touring until Luboff's cancer-related death on September 22, 1987.-

Notre Dame Liturgical Choir

The University of Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, founded in 1973 as the Chapel Choir, is composed of approximately 70 singers drawn from all areas of the undergraduate and graduate student body. The Choir's main purpose is to provide musical leadership at the 10 AM Solemn Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a French Gothic structure built in 1871 by University founder Fr. Edward Sorin. The Sunday Mass at 10 AM (Eastern time) is televised weekly on CatholicTV.

Oasis Chorale

p>Like all high callings, thoughtful worship requires focus and effort. Certainly the call to worship is not exclusive to music, but permeates all areas of life. In the context of church music, however, the call to worship calls participants to give careful attention to both words and music. This can be learned and must be taught, and Oasis is committed to this process.

Worship cannot be divorced from a heart tuned to God. Oasis seeks participants eager for fully-orbed spiritual development.

Not all artistic music is rapidly attainable for all singers or accessible to all audiences. Artistic music usually requires training to be sung excellently and to be listened to with understanding and appreciation. Oasis intends to provide the necessary training to move singers and audiences forward one step in this process.