Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble Returns For 39th Season

Under the leadership of "one of the most influential voices in choral music in the U.S. today" (Broadway World), Music Director Craig Hella Johnson, Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE) returns for its 39th season. This will be the VAE's second season at its home at the recently revitalized Memorial Hall in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The season will kick off with the traditional "Candlelit Christmas" program, a perennial favorite for audiences. Then Mr. Johnson conducts a program celebrating the poetry of Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda, which will include that poetry set to music in a world premiere work by Timothy Takach. The season continues when, Joseph Flummerfelt, one of the world's most revered choral conductors, makes his Cincinnati debut leading a concert program of his personal favorites and closes with the highly anticipated return of Considering Matthew Shepard-a work which was performed by the VAE in 2017 and has received lavish praise across the country since.

"This season I am thrilled and honored that conducting legend Joseph Flummerfelt has agreed to lead the VAE in a program of his personal favorites, and our beloved Assistant Conductor Stephanie Nash takes the reins for our unmissable tradition, Candlelit Christmas," said Mr. Johnson. "It is a joy to experience the deep connection that music brings and that will be on full display in our program dedicated to the poetry of Pablo Neruda, as well as the return of Considering Matthew Shepard to close the season as part of the 2019 May Festival."

Subscriptions for the VAE season start at $92 and are available now by visiting vaecinci.org or calling (513) 381-3300. Subscriptions purchased by Nov. 19 receive a 15% discount. Single tickets start at $25 in advance ($12 for students week of show) and go on sale Nov. 12.

Season at a Glance

Candlelit Christmas 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 15 4 p.m. Sunday, December 16 Memorial Hall: 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Stephanie Nash, conductor

VAE Assistant Conductor Stephanie Nash leads this remarkably poignant concert of seasonal favorites. Joined by the heavenly handbells of the Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project, the VAE will perform holiday carols, both familiar and new. This do-not-miss holiday tradition is marked by feelings of warmth and hope, giving audiences the opportunity to reflect in the midst of the season.

Neruda! 3 p.m. Sunday, February 3, 2019 Memorial Hall: 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Craig Hella Johnson, conductor

Chilean poet Pablo Neruda is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential poets of the 20th century. Known for his often surrealist style, passionate love poems and politically charged epics, Neruda was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1971. This concert program celebrates his work and poetic legacy. Highlights include Cary Ratcliff's Ode to Common Things (which was recorded by Mr. Johnson and his Texas-based Conspirare ensemble and subsequently nominated for a Grammy Award), as well as Neruda's poetry set to music in the world premiere of a new work by Timothy Takach. Mr. Takach's music has been commissioned and performed by such ensembles as the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, St. Olaf Band, Cantus, VocalEssence and The Boston Pops. It has been praised by the Washington Post: "The gorgeous part-song harmonies never obscured the text, making the lyrics an equal partner to the music."

The Choir Master: An Evening with Joseph Flummerfelt 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2019 Memorial Hall: 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Joseph Flummerfelt, conductor

One of the most distinguished figures in the choral world, Joseph Flummerfelt, makes his Cincinnati debut leading this concert program. A recent recipient of Musical America's prestigious "Conductor of the Year" award, Mr. Flummerfelt's storied career is highlighted by his longtime position as the conductor of the Westminster Choir, as well as director of choral activities at the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. In this VAE performance, he will conduct a program of his personal favorite works from composers including Brahms, Barber, Copland and Verdi.

Considering Matthew Shepard 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2019 University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music Patricia Corbett Theatre Craig Hella Johnson, conductor

Last performed in Cincinnati to two sold-out audiences in 2017, Considering Matthew Shepard, composed and conducted by Mr. Johnson, has

garnered critical and popular acclaim around the country for its sublime texts, incorporation of a variety of musical styles, and heartbreaking but inspiring message. The Conspirare recording of the work was nominated for a Grammy Award. The concert-length work is a musical response to the tragic murder of a young gay man, whose legacy has made him a symbol of hope and empowerment in the face of hate. It's Cincinnati premiere performances were described as, "alternately deeply sad, radiantly beautiful and joyous" (Cincinnati Enquirer). This performance of the work will feature new lighting and staging.

Craig Hella Johnson, Music Director Renowned as one of today's most influential voices in choral conducting, Craig Hella Johnson brings unparalleled depth of knowledge, artistic sensitivity, and rich imagination to his programs. As Grammy-winning founder and Artistic Director of Conspirare, Johnson assembles some of the finest singers in the country to form a world-class, award-winning ensemble committed to creating dynamic choral art. Beloved by audiences, lauded by critics and composers, and revered by singers, Johnson is known for crafting musical journeys that create deep connections between performers and listeners. The Wall Street Journal praised his ability to "find the emotional essence other performers often miss," and Fanfare wrote that "Craig Hella Johnson has assembled and molded a first-rate choir to be respected as highly as the best we have had." Distinguished composer John Corigliano wrote, "I believe that [Johnson] has understood my music in a way that I have never experienced before. He is a great musician who understands everything about the music he conducts." Composer and collaborator Robert Kyr observed, "Craig's attitude toward creating a community of artists who work together to interpret the score ... goes beyond technical mastery into that emotional depth and spiritual life of the music." Of Johnson's performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, the San Antonio Express-News wrote: "Through all the amazing ebbs and flows of dynamics, the radiant balances, the seamless connection of episodes, the theatrically astute tempo relations, the unified structural arc, the music shone forth with organic naturalness. Nothing sounded fussed over. Everything just sounded right."

Johnson is also Music Director of the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble and conductor emeritus of the Victoria Bach Festival. He was Artistic Director of San Francisco-based Chanticleer (1998-1999) and has served as guest conductor with the Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and many others in Texas, the U.S., and abroad. As the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Austin from 1990-2001, Johnson led the graduate program in choral conducting.

He remains an active educator, teaching nationally and internationally with professionals and students at conferences and universities. He is also a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association. Craig Hella Johnson joined the faculty at Texas State as Artist in Residence in fall 2016 and continues to inspire his colleagues and students in innovative teaching and programming as Professor of Practice.

A composer and arranger, Johnson works with G. Schirmer Publishing on the Craig Hella Johnson Choral Series, featuring specially selected composers as well as some of his original compositions and arrangements. His works are also published by Alliance Music Publications. A unique aspect of Johnson's programming is his signature "collage" style: through-composed programs that marry music and poetry to blend sacred and secular, classical and contemporary, traditional and popular styles. In 2006 he was engaged to create a special peace-themed collage program for the North Central ACDA convention, and in 2007 by the famed St. Olaf Choir to create and conduct a collage program during a five-week residency. Craig's first concert-length composition, Considering Matthew Shepard, was premiered in 2016 by Conspirare.

Johnson has been honored with numerous awards, including 2008 induction into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame, Chorus America's 2009 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, and the 2011 Citation of Merit from professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, the organization's highest honor for a non-member. In 2012 he was an invited speaker for TEDxAustin. He was one of seven panelists for the Fetzer Institute and Eranos Foundation's "Love and the Musical Arts" gathering in Switzerland in 2011. In April 2013 Johnson was designated the official Texas State Musician for 2013 by the Texas Legislature. The designation was recommended by the Texas Commission on the Arts after a competitive nomination process, and he is only the second classical musician to receive the honor in its eleven-year history. Johnson was awarded the 2015 Best Choral Performance Grammy for conducting Conspirare on the CD The Sacred Spirit of Russia (Harmonia Mundi label). In June 2015 Johnson received The Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art, Chorus America's lifetime achievement award. A Minnesota native, Johnson studied at St. Olaf College, the Juilliard School, and the University of Illinois and earned his doctorate at Yale University. As the recipient of a National Arts Fellowship, Johnson studied with Helmuth Rilling at the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany. He has been a Texas resident since 1990.

About VAE: Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble The Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE) is Greater Cincinnati's premier professional vocal ensemble dedicated to presenting passionate and innovative performances of choral music that raise and nurture the public's appreciation of the life enriching qualities of the choral arts. Founded in 1979, for over 35 years VAE has brought the power of spectacular, powerful and thrilling choral performances to audiences of all generations.

Because of the small size of the choir, VAE is uniquely able to present diverse performances that engage and enchant a range of music lovers. VAE has enjoyed artistic leadership by some of the nation's leaders in choral conducting; Grammy Award winner/seven-time nominee Craig Hella Johnson currently leads the talented and dynamic choir. Praised for his visionary approach, Johnson is considered one of the most influential voices in choral music in the US today.

Works presented each season range from emerging composers to the well-loved pieces of the choral canon, and it is this intimate balance of traditional yet innovative programming, as well as the creativity and passion brought to the stage by Johnson that makes VAE so unique. VAE is committed to the presentation and development of modern chamber music, premiering new works and commissions annually. Additional community engagements throughout the year include appearances with the May Festival and collaborations with area arts organizations. Broadcasts of performances on public radio and live streaming online (through local station WGUC) help VAE to reach an extended and diverse audience across our region. Over the years, creative collaborations have resulted in unique productions and reached diverse audiences; partners have included the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra; Cincinnati Opera; Cincinnati Ballet; Boychoir; Cincinnati Youth Choir; Cincinnati May Festival and Cincinnati May Festival Youth Chorus; concert:nova; National Underground Freedom Center; Ensemble Theatre; local school choirs; and many more. Partnerships with area choral organizations through the Greater Cincinnati Choral Consortium also provide opportunities to engage the community in Cincinnati's rich choral arts scene.

Educational activities are key to developing appreciation for the arts in students of all ages. VAE's Music Director therefore leads masterclasses and works with students across the region (including serving as a frequent guest at the University of Cincinnati). The VAE also works to expand in- school activities and opportunities for students in Cincinnati's public schools.

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