The Rose Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the medieval and Renaissance periods. The ensemble was founded in 1996 by Jordan Sramek, a musician and scholar who had a passion for early music. Sramek had studied musicology at the University of Minnesota and had performed with several early music ensembles before deciding to start his own group. The Rose Ensemble's name is inspired by the rose window, a circular stained-glass window that is a common feature in Gothic architecture. The ensemble's mission is to explore the rich musical traditions of the past and to bring them to life for modern audiences. The ensemble's repertoire includes music from a variety of cultures and traditions, including European, Middle Eastern, and American. The Rose Ensemble's main members are a group of highly skilled musicians who specialize in early music. The ensemble's core members include sopranos Jordan Sramek and Lisa Drew, mezzo-soprano Kim Sueoka, tenor Nick Chalmers, baritone Tim O'Brien, and bass Paul Berget. The ensemble also collaborates with a variety of guest artists, including instrumentalists, dancers, and actors. Over the years, The Rose Ensemble has performed at a variety of venues and festivals around the world. Some of the ensemble's most notable performances include appearances at the Boston Early Music Festival, the Utrecht Early Music Festival, and the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Mexico. The ensemble has also performed at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Rose Ensemble has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 2005, the ensemble won the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for its recordings, including its 2012 album "Arab and Andalusian Love Songs," which was nominated for Best World Music Album. One of the highlights of The Rose Ensemble's career was its collaboration with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2014. The ensemble performed with the orchestra in a program titled "The Sacred Bridge," which explored the musical connections between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. The program featured music from the medieval and Renaissance periods, as well as contemporary works inspired by those traditions. Another notable performance by The Rose Ensemble was its collaboration with the Piffaro Renaissance Band in 2016. The two ensembles joined forces to perform a program titled "The American Vocalist," which explored the music of early America. The program featured music from the colonial period, as well as traditional folk songs and spirituals. In addition to its performances, The Rose Ensemble is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble offers workshops and masterclasses for students and community groups, and it has developed a variety of educational resources for teachers and students. The ensemble's educational programs are designed to introduce audiences to the rich musical traditions of the past and to inspire a love of music in future generations. In conclusion, The Rose Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of early music.

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