
Music of the Baroque in Aspen - Handel’s Messiah
Christmas in – August? You may think so when you see this performance of Handel's iconic masterpiece Messiah, a fixture of the winter holiday season. But when isn't it time to revel in the piece that caused the composer to say "I did think I saw the heavens open, and saw the very face of God" when he completed it? Under the baton of Jane Glover – who has conducted over 120 performances of Messiah around the world – and with the brilliant soloists from the Aspen Opera Theatre/VocalARTS program, all in the intimate and stunning acoustics of Harris Concert Hall, this is sure to be a Messiah to remember!

Virginia Best Adams Showcase Concert
The Virginia Best Adams Masterclass (VBA), under the direction of Michael Beattie, selects four vocal musicians from hundreds of international applications. These artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six FREE public Masterclasses. The special Showcase Concert requires a ticket.

Carmel Bach Festival - VBA Masterclass #6
Virginia Best Adams Masterclasses are free and open to the public.
Each year the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, dozens of private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Carmel Bach Festival - VBA Masterclass #5
Virginia Best Adams Masterclasses are free and open to the public.
Each year the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, dozens of private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Bach's Mass in B Minor
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, is a landmark of Western classical music and a profound example of his compositional artistry. Completed near the end of his life, the Mass integrates a wide range of musical forms and traditions, drawing from Baroque complexity, Renaissance purity, and early Classical elegance. Each movement explores distinct aspects of the sacred text. This work, often described as Bach’s “cathedral in sound,” reflects not only his devout faith but also a vision of music as a universal language.

Carmel Bach Festival - VBA Masterclass #4
Virginia Best Adams Masterclasses are free and open to the public.
Each year the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, dozens of private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Carmel Bach Festival - VBA Masterclass #3
Virginia Best Adams Masterclasses are free and open to the public.
Each year the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, dozens of private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Bach's Mass in B Minor
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, is a landmark of Western classical music and a profound example of his compositional artistry. Completed near the end of his life, the Mass integrates a wide range of musical forms and traditions, drawing from Baroque complexity, Renaissance purity, and early Classical elegance. Each movement explores distinct aspects of the sacred text. This work, often described as Bach’s “cathedral in sound,” reflects not only his devout faith but also a vision of music as a universal language.

Carmel Bach Festival - VBA Masterclass #2
Virginia Best Adams Masterclasses are free and open to the public.
Each year the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, dozens of private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Carmel Bach Festival - VBA Masterclass
Virginia Best Adams Masterclasses are free and open to the public.
Each year the Festival selects four singers from hundreds of international applications. These emerging artists join the Festival and study with Festival principal artists. The busy schedule includes six working sessions which are open free to the general public, dozens of private coachings, and a special Showcase Concert. In the informal working sessions, the audience shares in the excitement as the coaches and young artists explore all aspects of performing Baroque vocal music, including vocal technique, musical style, foreign language skills, and artistic communication.
The VBA Masterclass is distinguished by the Festival’s master teachers. Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Beattie is Masterclass Director. Sessions are also led by Festival Associate Conductor Andrew Megill (Director of Choral Activities at the Univ. of Illinois) and by Festival vocal soloists from the US and UK.

Bach's St. John's Passion - Soloist w/ Elgin Master Chorale
Experience the profound drama of Bach's St. John Passion as we delve into this powerful and moving masterpiece. Immerse yourself in the emotional depth and spiritual intensity of this iconic work, beautifully brought to life in an unforgettable evening of choral excellence.


The Crossing - Poor Hymnal @ Drake University
Why do some works demand we revisit them?
The question is a larger one about how works become canonical – how they enter the culture and stay there.
So, we offer a rare reprise of a work that, at its premiere, was already beloved by singers, and listeners.
The question in David’s thoughtful, moving, inspiring work?
“How do we treat each other?”
take nothing for the journey
take nothing for the road
take nothing for the way
take nothing for your journey
take nothing with you for the trip †
† David Lang, heard in poor hymnal
December 20, 21, 22, February 4, 13, 14, 16



The Crossing - WHAT CAN I KNOW?
The world premiere of Sebastian Currier’s Mysterium, in which words of physicist Robbert Dijkgraaf and novelist Pia de Jong are in juxtaposition, questioning life – spans, purpose, brevity. A backdrop of the great mysteries of the universe in Dijkgraaf, and of our everyday lives in de Jong. A photo reminds us of a distant, cherished memory, as the vast distances of the universe, its stars and beings, inspire awe.
With Linda Catlin Smith’s Folio in its North America premiere, a mediation on Emily Dickinson’s often profound fragments.
With night blue ink
I write a poem
about our love,
you and me,
now and then. †
† Emily Dickinson, heard in the N. American premiere
of Linda Catlin Smith’s Folio

The Crossing tour - DAVID LANG’S POOR HYMNAL
Why do some works demand we revisit them?
The question is a larger one about how works become canonical – how they enter the culture and stay there.
So, we offer a rare reprise of a work that, at its premiere, was already beloved by singers, and listeners.
The question in David’s thoughtful, moving, inspiring work?
“How do we treat each other?”
take nothing for the journey
take nothing for the road
take nothing for the way
take nothing for your journey
take nothing with you for the trip †
† David Lang, heard in poor hymnal December 20, 21, 22, February 4, 13, 14, 16
The Crossing @ Christmas 2024 Chestnut Hill, PA
Why do some works demand we revisit them?
The question is a larger one about how works become canonical – how they enter the culture and stay there.
So, we offer a rare reprise of a work that, at its premiere, was already beloved by singers, and listeners.
The question in David’s thoughtful, moving, inspiring work?
“How do we treat each other?”
-crossingchoir.org

The Crossing @ Christmas 2024 (NYC)
Why do some works demand we revisit them?
The question is a larger one about how works become canonical – how they enter the culture and stay there.
So, we offer a rare reprise of a work that, at its premiere, was already beloved by singers, and listeners.
The question in David’s thoughtful, moving, inspiring work?
“How do we treat each other?”
-crossingchoir.org

The Crossing @ Christmas 2024
Why do some works demand we revisit them?
The question is a larger one about how works become canonical – how they enter the culture and stay there.
So, we offer a rare reprise of a work that, at its premiere, was already beloved by singers, and listeners.
The question in David’s thoughtful, moving, inspiring work?
“How do we treat each other?”
-crossingchoir.org
The Oriana Singers - Sing We Joyous
Three choirs, special guests, and the Sing We Joyous Orchestra once again create the beautiful music and warm-hearted joy you’ve come to expect from this beloved concert for the whole family. Old friends, new delights, Renaissance treasures, grooves from the 70s, all combine to make this glorious holiday party.
This year The Twelve Days of Christmas takes over the whole show, as we perform songs representing each item on the most famous list of Christmas gifts ever.
As always, audience sing-alongs and special surprises will make this year
The Oriana Singers - Sing We Joyous
Three choirs, special guests, and the Sing We Joyous Orchestra once again create the beautiful music and warm-hearted joy you’ve come to expect from this beloved concert for the whole family. Old friends, new delights, Renaissance treasures, grooves from the 70s, all combine to make this glorious holiday party.
This year The Twelve Days of Christmas takes over the whole show, as we perform songs representing each item on the most famous list of Christmas gifts ever.
As always, audience sing-alongs and special surprises will make this year

The Crossing - What Belongs to Me?
Music of Ayanna Woods, David Lang, Shara Nova, and Gabriela Ortiz who find surprisingly optimistic angles in the corners of our questions.
-crossingchoir.org


The Crossing - Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness?
Does an Earth (that does not know its name) have the will to survive us, heal us, forgive us? It is a question of life and Gabriela Ortiz dives in with characteristic driving rhythmic energy and the shadows of dance. Celebration and Lamentation joined together in a multi-media evening of theatre and dance.
Art of James Drake, dancers of the Alvin Ailey School
Produced and presented by Steven Jimenez
The atoms that make up our bodies were forged in violent explosions of distant stars, spreading debris throughout the universe. †
† Robbert Dijkgraaf, heard in the world premiere
of Sebastian Currier’s Mysterium, Feb 7.

Chicago a cappella - Lamentations
Exploring the universal theme of yearning for a place to call home, “Lamentations” features an evocative collaboration with Ballet 5:8, bringing contemporary movement to Thomas Tallis’ Lamentations of Jeremiah.


The Crossing on the Road: What Belongs to Me?
A season of questions, launched in a concert asking how we relate to the Earth, to our bodies through the lens of capitalism, to our histories and myths, to our bodies through the lens of our fears and tensions, to each other.
Music of Ayanna Woods, David Lang, Shara Nova, and Gabriela Ortiz who find surprisingly optimistic angles in the corners of our questions.
Through our eyes, the universe sees itself.
We write its history, line by line, star by star, you and me. †
† Robbert Dijkgraaf, heard in the world premiere
of Sebastian Currier’s Mysterium, Feb 7.
