Schola on Hudson is now "Ember Choral Arts," launches new websites
Schola Cantorum on Hudson, founded in 1995 by
Artistic Director Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, recently completed a
rebranding process and will hence be called Ember Choral Arts.
The three core programs of the organization, Ember (the acclaimed choral
ensemble), PROJECT : ENCORE (a free catalogue of contemporary choral music
reviewed and endorsed by industry peers) and Ember Education (formerly known as
the Phoenix Initiative) have all received brand updates. Ember Choral Arts
launched its new website this week www.EmberArts.org. PROJECT : ENCORE also
launched a new website (www.ProjectEncore.org), creating a seamless
user experience to view the juried catalogue of choral music.
Since 1995, Ember
Choral Arts (formerly known as Schola Cantorum on Hudson)
has grown in depth and influence. It performs its full season in both Manhattan
and New Jersey, and enjoys international recognition particularly for its work
in advocacy of new choral music.
Fundamental to Ember’s core values is the belief that music has a unique power
to affect the human heart and soul, inviting each of us to become fully aware,
mindful individuals. It is part of Ember’s mission to extend the role of art
beyond that of its own intrinsic value, leveraging it to bring visibility and
expansive thinking to issues of human significance. The areas of social
significance selected for full-season thematic exploration are supported by
targeted outreach and podcast promotion.
“At age (season!) 27, we continue to grow as an organization,” stated Dr.
Deborah Simpkin King, Founding Artistic Director. “The more
generalized programming style we enjoyed in our wonderful early years has, over
the past 15 years, increasingly taken on timely subjects, and almost
exclusively through the voices of living composers. Hence, Ember
Choral Arts. It’s an ever-evolving world, and we seek to lead the
way with meaningful conversations through the Arts.”
Founded in 2009, PROJECT
: ENCORE is an ever-growing, curated, cloud-based
catalogue and programming resource for conductors and a marketing arm for
contemporary composers. The lofty mission embraced by the founders is that
PROJECT : ENCORE provide a highly visible and accessible platform for new,
post-premiere choral work that has been expertly evaluated as being of
exceptional merit.
Evaluating music for programming is never an easy task. By providing study
scores and sound files, the PROJECT : ENCORE catalogue is designed to expedite
a conductor's search for new material. PROJECT : ENCORE charges no fees or
commissions either to conductors or composers.
PROJECT : ENCORE is not in competition with any company or organization seeking
to promote or publish new choral music. It is neither a publishing house nor a
representative of any particular composer. It is a free service supporting all
efforts encouraging the composition and performance of new, high-quality choral
music.
In short, PROJECT : ENCORE seeks to provide: A bridge directly connecting
composers and conductors while maintaining an evaluation process historically
born almost exclusively by music publishers. A seal of approval for the
high-quality compositions accepted into the PROJECT : ENCORE database. A
continually enlarging body of repertoire to which conductors can turn for fresh
material and strong compositional voices of juried quality, searchable by an
extensive array of keywords and conductor requirements. A complete sound file
and study score for each work in the catalog for use as an evaluation and teaching
tool.
“We are thrilled to launch an updated website for PROJECT: ENCORE,” stated
Anna Willson PROJECT : ENCORE Operations Manager. “Not only is the user
experience easier and more pleasant, but it works seamlessly within our new
brand.”
Ember Choral Arts believes that music can positively impact and enrich human
lives. Ember’s performances reflect this belief in their socially
conscious, full-season thematic programming, and in presentation of mostly new
music in a way that is accessible and compelling. Ember’s
educational programs reflect this belief by training emerging professionals,
planting seeds within young people for a lifetime of music involvement, and
nurturing the skills of our own members.
The revamped Ember
Education program includes provision for students of any
age to study with one of Ember’s professional teaching artists. Ember Choral
Arts has created an automated booking system where students and teachers can
schedule lessons, communicate and make payments all in one place. For more
information about Ember Education visit www.emberarts.org/education.
“Education has been at the core of our mission since the beginning, and we are
excited to expand our outreach by offering these invaluable opportunities to
study with some of our amazing artists,” remarked Karen Gonon, Executive
Director. “The benefits of music education—at any age—are immense
regardless of career path. Ember Choral Arts is proud to continue its role in
this crucial endeavor.”
Ember,
the critically acclaimed choral ensemble of Ember Choral Arts will hold
auditions by appointment in New Jersey on August 31 from 7PM-9PM at Our Lady of
Sorrows Church (217 Prospect St, South Orange, NJ 07079) and at Opera America
in New York City (330 Seventh Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10001) on
September 1 from 6PM-8PM.
To make an audition appointment, please visit www.emberensmeble.org/auditions
or email Auditions@ScholaOnHudson.org.
For more information you may call 888.407.6002, ext. 3.
Ember singers include a high percentage of active professional musicians, young
emerging professionals, and experienced avocational musicians. Solo technique
is supported Ember’s approach to tone. Singers come from an exceptionally wide
geographical radius from both sides of the Hudson River. All of our rehearsal
and performance venues are highly accessible via mass transit.
Ember will announce its new season in the coming weeks. For more information
about Ember Choral Arts and its programs, please visit www.EmberArts.org.
Ember Choral
Arts (formerly known as Schola Cantorum on Hudson), a
not-for-profit arts organization under the direction of Dr. Deborah Simpkin
King (Founding Artistic Director) and Karen Gonon (Executive Director) is made
possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and
the Investors Foundation.
ABOUT EMBER CHORAL ARTS
Founded in 1995 as an independent 501c3, Ember Choral Arts (formerly known as Schola Cantorum on Hudson) has grown in depth and influence. It performs (as Ember) its full season in both Manhattan and South Orange, NJ, and enjoys international recognition particularly for its work in advocacy of new choral music. The organization is home to PROJECT : ENCORE, which serves as a bridge connecting composers with conductors who seek new music of exceptional quality.Fundamental to Ember’s core values is the belief that music has a unique power to affect the human heart and soul, inviting each of us to become fully aware, mindful individuals. It is part of Ember’s mission to extend the role of Art beyond that of its own intrinsic value, leveraging it to bring visibility and expansive thinking to issues of human significance. The areas of social significance selected for full-season thematic exploration are supported by advisory task force activity and podcast promotion.
Core to the mission of Ember Choral Arts is to bring innovative programming designed to touch lives, inspire leadership through promotion of new music and enhance meaningful engagement with young singers. For more information visit www.EmberArts.org.