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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State

Event Slides Per Node 1415

VOCES8

7:30 pm Thursday, February 11, 2016

“A perfect blend of calm contentment and soaring spirit” (London’s The Independent), VOCES8 makes its Penn State debut in an acoustic choral program. Formed in 2003 by former Westminster Abbey choristers, the British octet performs works ranging from Renaissance polyphony to modern jazz and pop arrangements. “The singing of VOCES8 is impeccable in its quality of tone and balance,” writes a Gramophone reviewer. “They bring a new dimension to the word ‘ensemble’ with meticulous timing and tuning.” Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, VOCES8 has performed at prominent venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, Tel Aviv Opera House, and Shanghai Concert Hall. The ensemble has also appeared with the Philharmonia and London Philharmonic orchestras. Eventide, the group’s 2014 release on Decca Classics, was number one on the United Kingdom classical charts for two weeks. Previous releases on Signum Classics include A Choral Tapestry, Bach Motets, Aces High, Christmas, and A Purcell Collection. In 2013, VOCES8 was nominated for seven Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, winning for best classical album and best classical song. “‘Radiant’ and ‘luminous’ are adjectives that are perhaps overused in describing choral sound,” a critic for All Music observes, “but in this case they are fully deserved.”

The Penn State program—Light Divine: The Uplifting and Radiant Sounds of Voices in Harmony—features works by Felix Mendelssohn, Thomas Tallis, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Giovanni Gabrieli, Claudio Monteverdi, Robert Louis Pearsall, and others. The concert also includes jazz and pop selections announced from the stage.

Artistic Viewpoints is not offered before the concert.

Adult $42
University Park Student $19
18 and Younger $32

general admission seating

Tickets are available for purchase at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the evening of the performance, but only cash or checks can be accepted at the concert venue.

Create your own Choice series, and save 10 percent, by purchasing tickets to four or more eligible events in one transaction. JERSEY BOYS does not qualify for a Choice series.

media sponsor
WPSU

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Secondary Events on Each Event

Music 261 Class Visit

11:15 am Wednesday, February 10, 2016

110 Music Building I

Free and open to the public

The public is invited to observe as members of VOCES8 speak to students in a Penn State music survey course (antiquity to 1750) about the skills needed in their process for selecting the works on their programs, the relationship between voice and instrumentation, and maintaining an international presence. The session lasts 50 minutes.

Penn State School of Music Vocal Coaching Session

4:40 pm Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Music Building I’s Esber Recital Hall

Free and open to the public

The public is welcome to observe as members of VOCES8 work with School of Music choirs. Students perform their repertoire for feedback from VOCES8 singers. VOCES8 members also demonstrate examples of technique by performing excerpts of their works. The 80-minute session includes discussion of broader topics in vocal performance.