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• Khorikos released its latest album, Across the Open Spaces, on the Navona Records label on May 23. The album features works by Mason Bates, Evelin Seppar, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Kala Pierson, Kile Smith and Anna Meredith. More details at www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6732/. (2025-6-14)
• Cantori New York is calling all alumni to join the group at its 40th Anniversary Gala Concert on May 10 at 7:30 PM at Merkin Hall featuring works by Laura Schwendinger, Gregory Spears, Elisenda Fábregas and Aaron Copland. Cantori will be joined by the Bergamot Quartet and mezzo-soprano Gabrielle Barkidjija. More information can be found on Cantori's Alumni Page. (2025-4-24)
• Cantori New York, conducted by Mark Shapiro, has released its recording Found Again, comprising works for chorus and instruments by Lembit Beecher, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and John Rommereim, on Navona Records. See www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6703/. (2025-3-26)
• The Cecilia Chorus of New York, conducted by Mark Shapiro, has released its recording of Daron Hagen’s human rights cantata Everyone, Everywhere on Naxos Records. The chorus premiered Hagen’s cantata, which interleaves articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with quotations from human rights luminaries throughout history, in Carnegie Hall in December 2023. Performers include The Cecilia Chorus of New York, Every Voice Generations Choir (Nicole Becker, director); Gabrielle Barkididja, mezzo-soprano; and Bryan Murray, baritone. Visit www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.579180. (2025-3-26)
• New Amsterdam Singers announces the retirement of Music Director Clara Longstreth — who founded the chorus in 1968 and has led the group for 57 seasons — at the end of the current concert season. Ben Arendsen will succeed Longstreth, effective with the 2025-2026 season, becoming only the second conductor to hold that post in the history of the chorus. For more details, visit www.nasingers.org/announcing-our-new-music-director/. (2025-2-6)

Archive of old "News" items

Subscribe to VANupdate. Receive twice-monthly updates about new content on Vocal Area Network. Get the latest news items, upcoming vocal ensemble events, the most recent postings to the VAN Concert Calendar, new site features and updates to Choir Auditions, the Choir Directory and the Info Exchange. Sign up here.

• June 16, 2025: New Choir Directory listing and Choir Auditions ad for NYCP Chorus, a newly-forming volunteer SATB ensemble affiliated with the New York Chamber Players Orchestra.
• May 15, 2025: New Choir Directory listing for Rock Voices Montclair, a community choir in Montclair, NJ singing only rock music.
• February 25, 2025: New Choir Directory listing and Choir Auditions ad for The Heights Vocal Ensemble, based in Washington Heights.
• January 10, 2025: New Choir Directory listing and Choir Auditions ad for The Goldenrod Chorale, a new 55+ community choir in Hoboken, NJ.
• November 4, 2024: VAN milestone: just entered the 20,000th listing into our concert database that dates back to January 1998.
• October 10, 2024: New Choir Directory listing and Choir Auditions ad for the Liederkranz Chorus on the Upper East Side.
• September 30, 2024: Curious about how we prefer to format bits of information on the Vocal Area Network website? See our new VAN Style Guide.
• September 27, 2024: New link for Dorico, music notation software from Steinberg, recommended as a successor to Finale. New link for Schubertline, an online digital database of downloadable and printable art songs by major composers.
• September 6, 2024: We've combined the duplicate listings for the Choir of the Church of St. Luke & St. Matthew in Brooklyn and added a new Choir Directory listing for the The St. Luke & St. Matthew Choir School.
• August 23, 2024: New Choir Directory listing for Re:Soundings -- A Choral Music Project, a 16-voice professional ensemble directed by Stephen Sands focused on creating a new concert-going experience by dispersing singers throughout the performance space.

Archive of old "New on VAN" items

• Need some exquisite beaded jewelry to complement your concert attire or enhance your look on your next Zoom call? Or perhaps a distinctive gift for that special singer in your life? Or maybe you'd like to host a jewelry show to benefit your favorite non-profit organization? Try Carnelian Knoll, where you'll find necklaces, bracelets and earrings of vintage beads and silver handcrafted by Julie Siegmund.
• Looking for an outstanding vocal ensemble coach? Mark Johnson, possessor of an amazing ear and terrific interpretive insights in a variety of styles, is available to coach your group. Contact Mark via e-mail.
• Learn ear training, theory and ensemble skills at the Lucy Moses School’s acclaimed Sight-Singing program. Taught by Liz Fleisher, hailed as “one of New York’s great teachers” (New York Magazine) and “a teacher who gets results” (New York Times), classes for all skill levels help singers learn to read music for the first time or refine their skills. These classes are for soloists, choral singers and everyone who loves to sing. Learn more and register online at  www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/lms/program/sight-singing/. Or contact us at 212-501-3360 or lucymosesschool@kaufmanmusiccenter.org.

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