MISSION ~ HISTORY ~ TIMELINE ~ PAST MEMBERS
MISSION
Vox Musica, directed by Daniel Paulson, is a Sacramento-based women’s vocal ensemble whose mission is to promote, develop and nurture choral music; to present live performances of the highest quality for the benefit of the community and general public, representing a broad range of choral literature; to promote new works through commissioning, performing, and recording compositions of our time; to educate, challenge, facilitate, and nurture development of local artists; and to serve as a vital force in the community’s artistic life.
HISTORY
Since its inception in January 2006, Vox Musica has become a staple of Sacramento’s growing classical music scene. The group has been featured regularly on the city’s leading morning news show, Good Day Sacramento, and on the region’s public radio station, Capital Public Radio. In December 2007 Vox Musica released its first compact disc, "Christmas Colours," a showcase of 20th- and 21st-century arrangements of traditional holiday carols and texts. Several pieces on the recording were given their world premieres by the group during its inaugural season. Indeed, Vox Musica has had the honor of performing many world and regional premiers, commissioned works, and has enjoyed hosting a featured composer in person at most of its performances.
Vox Musica gives four sets of concerts each year and has performed to sold-out audiences since the start of its second season. In addition to emphasizing new compositions, the group has performed music from a broad range of musical eras, styles and languages. For example, in September 2007, together with the Sacramento Baroque Soloists, Vox Musica presented a concert of 18th century sacred music from the Venetian Ospedali. In March 2009, joined by the Classical Indian Fusion group, The Nada Brahma Music Ensemble, Vox Musica presented a concert of new music from the eastern countries of India, Persia and Georgia. In March of 2010, accompanied by the Sacramento Taiko Dan Ensemble, Vox presented an entire concert of music in Japanese for Taiko Drums and Women’s Voices.
While the ensemble’s success is important, so are its ties to the surrounding community. Vox Musica has given several "open rehearsals" with very low ticket prices to enable a wide variety of people to learn about the music the group performs, and director Daniel Paulson has given a master class for young singers interested in learning more about choral music and vocal technique. The group has performed for Sacramento’s Second Saturday Art Walk (a monthly event in which galleries, restaurants and performance spaces open their doors to throngs of foot traffic) to give the public further exposure to music they might not otherwise hear. Vox Musica’s outreach is not limited to the Sacramento area; the group has assisted up-and-coming members of the classical music community throughout the United States by performing works by young composers studying at the university level.
TIMELINE
2005, August ~ Vox Musica conceptulized and collaboration finalized with "The Village Foundation."
2006, January ~ Rehearsals began with the first ensemble of eight women.
2006, February ~ First Commissioned Work. "Exultation on Light" composed by Brent Chancellor.
2006, March ~ First Performance on CW31′s, Morning News Show "Good Day Sacramento."
2006, April ~ First concert held at St. Paul’s Epsicopal Church. (One World Premier Performance)
2006, June ~ First public auditions held.
2006, September ~ Created Vox Musica’s Educational Outreach Program.
2006, September ~ First Newsletter, "The Voice of Published.
2006, October ~ First collaboration with local artist, Joel Michael Smith and Shoka. (Three commissioned paintings).
2006, October ~ Performance on CW31′s, Morning News Show "Good Day Sacramento."
2006, October ~ Opening concert of our first full season, works by living composers. (Five regional permiere’s peformed).
2006, December ~ Performance on CW31′s, Morning News Show "Good Day Sacramento."
2006, December ~ First Christmas concert performed. (Five regional and Two world premiere’s). Guest Composer, Kurt Erikson.
2007, March ~ First performance on Second Saturday Art Walk at "Deep, Art and Yoga."
2007, April ~ Anniversary performance, collaboration with Local Photographers, Bob and Lori Schneider. Guest composer, Maggi Payne. (Five regional premiers).
2007, June ~ First recording session for first compact disc, Christmas Colours.
2007, June ~ Vox Musica moves from eight to twelve singers.
2007, July ~ Article about Vox in "The New Music Box", an online periodical on classical music.
2007, August ~ Advisory board formed.
2007, September ~ First sold out performance.
2007, December ~ Christmas Colours CD released on "The Village Foundation" label.
2007, December ~ Christmas concert performing four commissioned works. (One regional and five world premieres)
2007, December ~ First double performance of a concert.
2007, December ~ Another glowing review from the Sacramento Bee.
2007, December ~ Vox Musica branches off from "The Village Foundation" and organizes as Vox Musica, LLC.
2008, April ~ First composer-in-residence, Joshua Shank.
2008, April ~ Performance highlighting the works of Joshua Shank. (One west coast premiere).
2008, June ~ Performed the winning composition from the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Composition Contest.
2008, June ~ 2007/08 season sold out all performances.
2008, October ~ Opening night of third season.
2009, March ~ Performance on "The Old First Concert Series" in San Francisco.
2009, August ~ Vox restructures as Vox Musica, INC. with the help of Downey Brand Law Firm and The Sacramento Arts and Business Council.
2009, August ~ Vox Musica obtains their 501(c)3 status.
PAST MEMBERS
(We thank all our members past and present)
Founding Members: Claire McKnight; Kathryn Brothers; Lucy Fitz Gibbon; Erika Kjelstrom; Lara Pucik Christensen; Alicia Lippman; Michelle Curran-Kimball; Erin Stone; Past: Florida Stringer; Natalie Miller; Candis Hess Elkin; Stephanie Tomicich; Donna Helmich-Agnello; Jamie Cholak; Sandi Specht; Erika Kjelstrom; Andrea Coke; Present:Lisa Spivak; Alison George; Anna Elzeftawy; Corinne Meadors; Naomi Petersen; Dana Protsenko; Lara Pucik Christensen; Kathryn Brothers; LuAnne Hightower; Valerie Dickinson; Jennifer Crawford; Hallie Wootan; Current Alternate: Parisa Soltani.