Vocal Arts Ensemble 36th Season Features World Premiere Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Collaboration

CINCINNATI—Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE), the city’s only professional choral ensemble, announces the details of its 36th season, the third under Music Director Craig Hella Johnson, who recently won a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance. Highlighting the season is a world premiere performance (April 30 & May 1, 2016) of a full-length oratorio, Canticle, by Philadelphia-based composer Kile Smith, commissioned by the VAE as part of its commitment to the development and presentation of modern choral chamber music. The work will also be performed during the Chorus America Conference in Cincinnati in June 2016.

Another highlight of the 2015-16 VAE season is a season opener featuring Bach’s sublime B minor Mass (November 13 & 15, 2015) that continues a collaboration with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra (CCO). The season also includes the annual “Candlelit Christmas” celebration (December 19-20, 2015) led by Anton Armstrong (conductor of the famed St. Olaf Choir) and an all-Brahms concert conducted by Stephanie Nash (February 5, 2016).

“VAE really has a foot in two worlds; first, we are rooted in the classics, and secondly, we have a bold commitment to new work and collaborations with innovative approaches,” said Mr. Johnson. “Both of these priorities are present in this season’s programming, and we have an audience that shares a wonderful curiosity for a wide spectrum of musical styles and a great passion for the music we sing. I love Cincinnati and the extraordinarily special community of musicians and engaged listeners. All of us at VAE feel privileged to play a part in the vibrant music-making of this city.'”

Subscriptions for the VAE season start at $90 and are available beginning Monday, September 21 by visiting vaecinci.org or calling (513) 381-3300. Single tickets start at $20 in advance and go on sale October 15.

Season at a Glance
8 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 Christ Church Cathedral (Downtown Cincinnati)
5 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2015 St. Catherine of Siena (Westwood)
Bach B minor Mass
Craig Hella Johnson conducting VAE and CCO

8 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015 St. Boniface Church (Northside)
5 p.m. Sunday, December 20, 2015 St. Francis de Sales (East Walnut Hills)
Candlelit Christmas
Anton Armstrong conducting VAE

8 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 First Lutheran Church (Over-the-Rhine)
All-Brahms: “Brahms x2”
(Part of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Brahms Fest)
Stephanie Nash conducting VAE

8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016 Lakeside Presbyterian Church (Lakeside, KY)
5 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016 Old St. Mary (Over-the-Rhine)
Canticle (World Premiere) by Kile Smith
Craig Hella Johnson conducting VAE