The New York Virtuoso Singers (www.nyvirtuoso.org), under the direction of Harold Rosenbaum, will be recording a new CD in New York City this fall of choral music by noted composer Nancy Wertsch (www.wertsch.com). The CD, entitled ...with Peace in Mind, is a compilation of a cappella choral works, some of them premieres. It is scheduled to be released spring 2012 on the MSR classical label (www.msrcd.com).

Of her CD recording, Nancy Wertsch said, "I am looking forward to recording some of my favorite choral pieces with a new music ensemble I have had a close association with for many years. The expertise of the group allows me to choose some of my most challenging pieces, including a few that will be premiered on this album. The title piece for the album, ...with Peace in Mind, was composed to mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and was premiered by Virtuoso this past spring. I was moved to set prayers for peace from several of the world's great religions as a plea for reconciliation and forgiveness. The performance was very moving for both the performers and the audience, and I felt it should be recorded."

Nancy Wertsch's affinity for vocal music has inspired a large body of choral music, anthems and concert pieces. Her works are widely performed in churches and concerts, including ACDA conventions and competitions. She has received commissions from such New York organizations as the Interchurch Center, the New York Treble Singers, the New York  Concert Singers, First Presbyterian Church and The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. Her work for triple chorus, Antiphon for God the Father, is recorded on the Dale Warland Singers CD Bernstein and Britten. She is published by Oxford University Press and G. Schirmer. Ms. Wertsch's most recent commission Hail, Holy Light was premiered by the University of Utah Singers, awarded first place in the International Chamber Choir Competition in Germany and published by Carus-Verlag in 2011.

A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, New York composer Nancy Wertsch studied piano at the University of Wisconsin in Madison before pursuing vocal studies at the Music Academy of the West and the Yale University Summer Music School, later graduating from the all-scholarship Curtis Institute of Music as a voice major. She received a Fulbright Grant and attended the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, Germany for two years. Upon returning to the United States, she served on the voice faculty at the University of Memphis. Since 1979, she has lived and worked in New York City as a full-time musician. 

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