Genre

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Choral

 

Americas Vocal Ensemble (AVE) is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1992 by Dr. Frank Albinder, a renowned conductor and singer. The ensemble is based in Washington, D.C., and is known for its exceptional performances of choral music from the Americas and beyond. Dr. Albinder, who served as the ensemble's artistic director until 2019, had a vision of creating a group that would showcase the rich and diverse choral traditions of the Americas. He assembled a group of talented singers from across the United States, many of whom had extensive experience performing with other prestigious ensembles. The founding members of AVE included sopranos Susan Lewis Kavinski and Susan Rode Morris, altos Barbara Hollinshead and Susan Hellauer, tenors Steven Combs and David Vanderwal, and basses Frank Albinder and David Newman. Over the years, the ensemble has welcomed many new members, but has maintained a core group of singers who have been with the group for many years. One of the highlights of AVE's early years was its performance at the 1993 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The ensemble received rave reviews for its performance of works by American composers such as William Billings, Aaron Copland, and Samuel Barber. Since then, AVE has gone on to perform at many other prestigious venues and events, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. The ensemble has also toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad, performing in countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. One of AVE's most notable performances was its 2009 concert at the White House, which was attended by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The ensemble performed a program of American choral music, including works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Morten Lauridsen. In addition to its performances, AVE has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. The ensemble has been recognized by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) with multiple awards for Best Classical Vocal Group, and has also been honored by the Choralis Foundation with the Ovation Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement. One of AVE's most significant achievements was its recording of the complete choral works of Samuel Barber, which was released in 2012 on the Naxos label. The recording received critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Choral Performance category. In 2019, Dr. Albinder retired as artistic director of AVE, and was succeeded by Dr. David Lang, a highly respected conductor and composer. Under Dr. Lang's leadership, AVE has continued to thrive, performing a diverse repertoire of choral music from the Americas and beyond. Today, AVE is recognized as one of the premier choral ensembles in the United States, known for its exceptional musicianship, innovative programming, and commitment to promoting the rich and diverse choral traditions of the Americas. The ensemble continues to inspire audiences with its powerful and moving performances, and is sure to remain a fixture in the world of classical music for many years to come.

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