In every concert, Voce seeks to share the musical traditions and expressions of female, transgender, Black, brown, and indigenous composers and communities. Traditionally, these groups have been underrepresented in classical music. We are honored to share their excellence with our audiences — and reflect our audiences’ rich cultural heritage in our programs.
Contemporary Voices
“Beautiful choral voices joined together to…create a magical experience!”
Cheryl K.
“Choral Fantasy” (2021)
Excerpt from a live performance on October 15, 2023
David Mann, conductor
“Bring Me All Your Dreams”
"Bring Me All Your Dreams" is Christopher Harris’ choral setting “The Dream Keeper” by Langston Hughes. Listen for the stunning "blue cloud-cloth" of closely-woven harmonies as the piece builds to an emotional climax. Afterwards, the opening melody returns, highlighting the hopeful words of Hughes' poem.
“Go Tell It On the Mountain”
The African-American spiritual Go Tell it On the Mountain can be found in publication as early as 1901 in the New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Today it has been adapted from its oral tradition into the traditional canon of Christmas carols. Arranger Ken Burton invites a gospel-inspired approach by combining syncopated rhythms, bright contemporary harmonies, and indicating in his instructions in the score, “Take it to Church!”
Excerpt from a live performance on December 10, 2023
David Mann, conductor
“Come to the Woods”
Enjoy this spring concert highlight entitled, "Come to the Woods" by composer Jake Runestad. This piece sets the words of naturalist John Muir describing his childlike wonder at the sight of an approaching thunderstorm.
Excerpt from a live performance on April 1, 2023
David Mann, conductor
CJ Capen, pianist
“Dark Night of the Soul”
Ola Gjeilo’s “Dark Night of the Soul” sets the introspective words of St. John of the Cross’ sixteenth-century poem. The choir begins with an expansive tapestry of contemporary harmonies while the piano guides the full ensemble through fourteen minutes of transcendental beauty.
Excerpt from a live performance on December 17, 2022
David Mann, conductor
CJ Capen, keyboard artist
Ellen Broetzmann, soprano
Lauren Flynn, soprano
Yuan-Ju Liu, violin
Jonathan Toomer, violin
Robert Salzberg, violin
Anna Kobylski, cello