Camerata: Grace Cathedral’s newest vocal ensemble

Grace Cathedral's choir of mixed voices, Camerata

October 11, 2005

"Camerata," literally speaking, was a group of 16th century Venetian poets and musicians who met in aristocratic homes. Their discussions resulted in the invention of an art form that combined music, voice, theater, dance and visual art: opera.

"We’re using it to refer to the smallness of the group," says Assistant Director for Music Ben Bachmann of the new chamber choir of mixed voices at Grace Cathedral that is being called Camerata. It is an ensemble of eight adult singers, many of whom are from outside the Cathedral community. This group will work along side the large Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys and the Cathedral Singers.

"We’ll have the opportunity to work on smaller scale choral pieces, like the work of Renaissance polyphonists Byrd and Tallis as well as more modern pieces from Ned Rorem," says Bachmann. "The Choir of Men and Boys sings frequently, and we choose lots of music for them during the year. Camerata will allow us to experiment. We’ll be able to branch out from the traditional anthem repertoire."

As there are members of the ensemble who have not been connected to the Cathedral before, they are experiencing the act of singing in church with a real sense of enthusiasm. "I get to go through the whole thing with them," says Bachmann. "The first time they put on vestments, the first time they sing at a service: it’s very exciting."

Camerata will perform at the 3:00 PM Sunday Evensong services, alternating with the Men of the Cathedral Choir, and occasionally at the 11:00 AM Choral Eucharist services. They will make their official debut at the October 23 Evensong and will perform the Evening Service by Ralph Vaughan Williams as well as the modern setting of "Sing, my soul his wondrous love" by Ned Rorem.

To find out more about the Music Department at Grace Cathedral, click here.

Assistant Director for Music, Ben Bachmann