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Ensemble

 

Santa Barbara Quire of Voyces is a classical music ensemble that has been enchanting audiences with their beautiful harmonies and soulful performances for over 40 years. The group was founded in 1975 by Nathan Kreitzer, a music professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who wanted to create a community choir that would perform early music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Quire of Voyces started out as a small group of singers who rehearsed in Kreitzer's living room, but they quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional musicianship and passionate performances. Over the years, the group has grown in size and scope, and they now perform in venues all over the world. One of the highlights of the Quire's early years was their performance at the 1976 Berkeley Early Music Festival, where they received rave reviews for their performance of works by William Byrd and Thomas Tallis. This performance helped to establish the Quire as one of the premier early music ensembles in the United States. In the years that followed, the Quire continued to perform at festivals and concerts throughout California and beyond. They also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including "Music for the Tudors" and "Music for the Hapsburgs," which showcased their versatility and range as performers. One of the Quire's most memorable performances took place in 1991, when they were invited to perform at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. The group performed a program of sacred music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including works by Palestrina, Victoria, and Allegri. The performance was a great honor for the Quire, and it helped to cement their reputation as one of the world's leading early music ensembles. Over the years, the Quire has received numerous awards and accolades for their performances and recordings. In 1998, they were awarded the prestigious Noah Greenberg Award by the American Musicological Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the performance of early music. They have also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album and Best Choral Performance. Despite their many accomplishments, the Quire remains committed to their mission of bringing early music to a wider audience. They continue to perform regularly in Santa Barbara and throughout California, and they also offer educational programs and workshops for aspiring musicians. In recent years, the Quire has expanded their repertoire to include music from other periods and genres, including folk music, spirituals, and contemporary compositions. This has allowed them to reach new audiences and to showcase their versatility as performers. Today, the Quire of Voyces is recognized as one of the world's leading early music ensembles, and they continue to inspire audiences with their beautiful harmonies and passionate performances. Their legacy is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and to transcend time and place.

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