Press Releases

Voce Releases "Sure On This Shining Night"

6/19/2010

Voce's new album features chamber and choral music of Composer and 2007 National Medal of Arts recipient, Morten Lauridsen. Dr. Lauridsen plays piano on this CD and proclaims the album a "superb recording of my choral music and art songs . . . all brilliantly performed by Voce and the Voce Chamber Artists." A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to Hartford Area Habitat For Humanity. The album is immediately available on CDBaby.com for download and compact disc. It will also soon be available for download from iTunes and Amazon MP3.

More About "Sure On This Shining Night"

6/19/2010

See Mike Lurie's promotional video about the making of "Sure On This Shining" which includes footage of the recording sessions and interviews with Dr. Lauridsen, Voce singers, and Voce board members.

Voce’s May 16 Concert To Support Habitat for Humanity Is Free To Public

5/3/2010

On Sunday, May 16, 2010 Voce – Hartford’s exciting new professional choral group with a charitable mission – will perform free of charge at 3:00 p.m., Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, CT. Instead of charging admission, Voce will ask attendees to make a free-will donation to the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity during the program. The donations will go to Hartford Habitat’s House of Abraham Program.

Dr. Morten Lauridsen and Mark Singleton, courtesy of Steven Lurie	Since its inception in 2006, Voce has developed a reputation for exquisite singing and innovative programming. "We’ve named our May 16 concert ‘Rising Sun,’ because the sun is rising on a radically different experience for concert-goers," says Voce Artistic Director Mark Singleton. "Every piece on the program – works by Morten Lauridsen, Bach, Brahms and Duruflé, just to name a few -
is a work of art, and we plan to present each in a unique and unforgettable way." The King Philip Singers from West Hartford, CT will make a special appearance at the concert as well.

Voce, which recently coordinated a performance of the Fauré Requiem with the Hartford Symphony and singers from throughout Connecticut to raise money for Haiti, has helped to raise over $38,000 for other not-for-profit charities. "We’ve done concerts for Habitat for Humanity in the past," according to Voce Executive Director Tom Cooke, "but this is the first time we’ve been able to offer a concert free to the public, and we’re hoping that those who come will give generously to Habitat." Cooke added that Voce will soon issue a compact disc of the works of composer and National Medal of Arts winner Morten Lauridsen entitled Sure On This Shining Night: Voce Sings Lauridsen, with Lauridsen himself at the piano. "Half of our profits from sales of the CD will be donated to Habitat. We strongly believe that music should benefit the community, and Habitat for Humanity is playing a critical role by providing affordable housing for people right here in Hartford."

COMPOSER MORTEN LAURIDSEN SPEAKS ABOUT VOCE

April 27, 2008

Voce is clearly already in the upper echelon of American chamber choirs. During my recent residence with the ensemble I was constantly astonished at the level of artistry displayed by both the singers and their conductor, Mark Singleton. I have no doubt that this superb chorus will soon be recognized throughout the United States as exemplifying choral performance at its finest.

VOCE ANNOUNCES THE PETER BAGLEY COMMISSION FOR NEW WORKS OF ART

April 12, 2008

On April 12, 2008 at a concert featuring the works of renowned American Composer Morten Lauridsen, Voce announced the creation of the Peter Bagley Commission for New Works of Art. The purpose of the commission is to (1) fund the creation of new works of art; and (2) promote and provide recognition to highly gifted aspiring artists. Initially the commission will focus on choral compositions, seeking to build the available repertoire of modern choral works and encouraging choral works reflecting a wide range of cultural influences. As the commission and Voce continue to grow, the commission may be extended to works in other areas of the performing arts (including, for example, dance and instrumental compositions), and to the funding of performances of commissioned works. Initial funding for the commission was provided by Dr. Bagley himself and by Voce, which intends to contribute proceeds from its concerts to the commission from time to time.

The Bagley Commission is intended to honor Dr. Peter Bagley for his lifetime devotion to working with young musicians to help them realize their full artistic potential. As Professor of Music at The University of Connecticut, his rigorous academic program and exacting standards, combined with his seemingly endless encouragement of and support for talented students, produced some of the finest choral musicians in the United States. Hundreds, if not thousands, of his former students are proud to consider him their mentor and friend. As Special Assistant to the Dean of the School of Fine Arts at The University of Connecticut and as a frequent guest conductor and choral clinician for numerous festivals and all-state choirs throughout the country, Dr. Bagley continues to inspire young musicians everywhere. In order to honor Dr. Bagley and to support him in his lifetime mission of helping young artists realize their ambitions, Voce is proud to announce the creation of The Peter Bagley Commission for New Works of Art.