photo: Francisco Fernandez

A native of Memphis TN, baritone Courtney D. Carey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Morehouse College in Atlanta GA, Master of Music degree in Conducting from Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY, and the Professional Studies Diploma in Voice from Mannes College of Music in New York NY. Carey made his operatic debut in the summer of 2003 as Morales in Bizet’s Carmen and Hermann in Offenbach’s Hoffmans Erazaehlungen with the Komische KammerOper Muenchen in Munich, Germany. Since his debut, Carey has sung principal and supporting roles in Il TabarroGianni SchicchiDie ZauberfloeteMy Fair LadyAriadne auf Naxos, and Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte

Carey is the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Arleen Auger Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the famed soprano Arleen Auger and a Classical Studies grant from the Hester Fund for Classical Music Studies. In addition to his vocal endeavors, Carey is a published composer/arranger with choral arrangements published by both GIA Publications, Inc. and Roger Dean Music Publishing Company. Carey is the Founder/Artistic Director of Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow a New York-based performing arts organization committed to presenting high-quality classical music performances.

Albums

I Wanna Be Ready

Release Date: June 9, 2023
Catalog Number: NV6527
21st Century
Liturgical
Vocal Music
Piano
Voice
Few things have informed and inspired as much music as humanity's search for God. Acclaimed baritone, arranger, and conductor Courtney Carey explores the relation between the worldly and the divine on I WANNA BE READY, a set of 12 spirituals arranged for different instrumentations — and each piece packs a punch. Six of them are songs for a solo voice (soprano or baritone) and piano, and Carey, being a trained vocalist himself, deploys this setup to its fullest effect, allowing for powerful brilliance. The other half are choral pieces, which are furnished with extra layers of depth and vigor by the splendidly expressive Concert Chorale ensemble. Even individually, these spirituals would be remarkable; together, they are a tour de force.