Awaiting Golden Light
Voices of Concinnity
Sarah Kaufold artistic director
Voices of Concinnity finds connection through universal experiences on AWAITING GOLDEN LIGHT. Based in Connecticut, the inclusive professional vocal ensemble melded each singer’s unique vocal qualities into the richness of choral sound for this project. Seeking connection through the isolation of a global pandemic, their members took inspiration from gazing at the glowing moon, experiencing the renewal of a new golden sunrise, anticipating wonder at the perseverance of a bulb blooming in spring, and finding solace in shining stars after the loss of a beloved. With this Navona Records release, the ensemble invites listeners to draw their eyes up toward the heavens and out beyond the horizon to find meaning.
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Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Sweetheart of the Sun | Eric William Barnum | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 5:33 |
| 02 | Sweet Day | Ralph Vaughan Williams | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 1:58 |
| 03 | Alma Beata et Bella | Edie Hill | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Alex O’Neil, countertenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 5:52 |
| 04 | Bring us, O Lord God | William H. Harris | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 4:08 |
| 05 | It May Be | Brian Jones | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 5:13 |
| 06 | I love my love | Gustav T. Holst | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 4:31 |
| 07 | Sleep | Eric Whitacre | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Alex O’Neil, countertenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 5:23 |
| 08 | The Breadth of Blossoms | Cheryl B. Engelhardt | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 3:47 |
| 09 | Media Vita | Kerensa Briggs | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 3:15 |
| 10 | Good Night, Dear Heart | Dan Forrest | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 3:53 |
| 11 | Sing to the Moon | Steven James Brown and Laura Mvula | arr. Laura Mvula | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Alex O’Neil, countertenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 3:29 |
| 12 | We Look For You (Evensong) | Reena Esmail | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 3:55 |
| 13 | I sat down under his shadow | Edward C. Bairstow | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 1:42 |
| 14 | Halcyon Days | Melissa Dunphy | Voices of Concinnity | Sarah Kaufold, artistic director; Bruce Barger, tenor; Erin Bartram, mezzo-soprano; Liz Bologna, soprano; Kara Hart, soprano; Christopher Hartel, tenor; Sarah Kaufold, soprano; Brian Jones, bass-baritone; Erica Shippee, soprano; Michael McAvaney, tenor; Daniel Pavone, baritone; Alex Walker, mezzo-soprano; Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone | 4:07 |
Recorded September 16, 2023 at United Congregational Church in Tolland CT
Recording Session Producer Todd Fruth
Recording Session Engineer Jennifer Nulsen
Editing, Mixing & Mastering Jennifer Nulsen, Mie Hirschfield
Executive Producer Bob Lord
VP of A&R Brandon MacNeil
A&R Ivana Hauser
VP of Production Jan Košulič
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Kacie Brown
Artist Information
Voices of Concinnity
Described by audience members as “silky smooth butter in musical form” and “voices like I imagine angels might sound,” Voices of Concinnity is Connecticut’s versatile professional vocal chamber ensemble illuminating the breadth of choral music through innovative programming and richness of choral sound. Sponsored by Consonare Choral Community, Voices of Concinnity consists of 12 dedicated, seasoned choral artists from diverse backgrounds with a mission to connect with the community through exquisitely crafted, innovative choral programming that fosters inclusion, promotes collaboration, illuminates variety, and ensures affordable access. As an ensemble, Concinnity focuses on individual expression within a cohesive whole, harnessing each singer’s unique vocal qualities into a rich collective sound; thus embracing an honesty that enhances the listening experience and resonates with audiences.
Notes
AWAITING GOLDEN LIGHT is Voices of Concinnity’s debut album where we are honored to share our distinctive choral sound with the world. Concinnity is an inclusive ensemble where singers are encouraged to perform with their true voice, infusing their unique timbre with the whole to create a luminous and vibrant quality to the choral sound.
The music collected in AWAITING GOLDEN LIGHT represents a prevailing theme woven through our choral programs over the last few years — seeking connection through universal experiences. The evolution of this theme was likely influenced by the silencing of communal singing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. To combat the yearning experienced at that time, singers like ourselves began pursuing connection through moments common to everyone, such as feeling awe while gazing at a glowing moon, experiencing renewal of a new golden sunrise, anticipating wonder at the perseverance of a bulb blooming in spring, and finding solace in shining stars after the loss of a beloved. Singers were not alone in this pursuit. Therefore, the songs for this album were chosen to inspire everyone to draw their eyes up toward the heavens and out beyond the horizon to find meaning.
This collection includes two songs that were composed specifically for Voices of Concinnity, The Breadth of Blossoms by Cheryl B. Engelhardt and It May Be by Brian Jones, as well as many newer compositions by living composers also ready for a place in the choral canon.
A frequent audience member commented on the emotions our performances evoke by saying, “I am always transcended to a place of peace, reflection, or joy.” Our greatest wish for this album is that the honesty of Concinnity’s sound and the songs contained within transport you while you are awaiting golden light.
— Sarah Kaufold
Videos
Sweetheart of the Sun by Eric William Barnum, performed by Voices of Concinnity
It May Be by Brian Jones, performed by Voices of Concinnity
