Vox Lumine
by RAS ~ December 3rd, 2012. Filed under: Group Description.VOICES OF LIGHT
Brandon Johnson, Founder & Artistic Director
Engagement…. Connection…. Reconciliation…
Who we are . . . As an emerging professional vocal ensemble and the newest member of the arts community in western New York, Vox Lumine marked its first full season in 2011-2012. With the intention of concertizing in four cities with active musical cultures: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Toronto, Vox Lumine draws on professional musicians throughout the region.
We Believe . . . First, that extraordinary music can be a unifying force to bring diverse people together. Music can be an incredible agent for peace and reconciliation. We will be a positive force in our musical communities by actively seeking these ends.
Second, we help young professionals develop after their academic studies are complete. Our goal is to bridge the gap between graduate studies and the fully professional singer, composer, and conductor.
Third, we seek to increase the genre of choral art music. Through commissions and choral composition competitions we commit ourselves to the creation of new choral music.
Mission Statement. . . The Voices of Light engage audiences in transformative musical experiences through world-class choral performances and recordings. With thankful hearts, we commit to the development of tomorrow’s musicians and the commissioning of new vocal music.
Vision Statement. . . Vox Lumine envisions a world less focused on division, disconnect and discord and more focused on engagement, connection & reconciliation.
Contact Us:
7759 Centerville Road
Fillmore NY 14735
United States
(585) 567-2346
Brandon Johnson, Conductor & Artistic Director
Brandon Johnson is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and has received graduate instruction from the Eastman School of Music, Westminster Choir College, and the University of Arizona, where he received Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Choral Conducting. Johnson has studied with many of the preeminent choral artists of this generation including: Bruce Chamberlain, Rene Clausen, Daniel Moe, and Maurice Skones. He served as interim director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and
was selected to conduct the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as a member of the Eastman conducting institute. Most recently Johnson studied with German conductor Helmuth Rilling and was selected to conduct the Grammy winning Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra.
In addition, Johnson is the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Conducting and Voice at the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College. He heads the Houghton College choral program, and administers the masters of music degree in choral conducting. In 2009 Johnson was the recipient of the Houghton College Award for Teaching Excellence.
Email: brandon.johnson@houghton.edu
AUDITIONS
Each singer will be asked to demonstrate ability in three areas.
1. Solo performance- Singers will perform one art song or aria of choice, no longer than three minutes in length. Smaller sections of longer works are welcome. Memorization of your selection is not required although it is encouraged as our ensemble will be asked to memorize its concert repertoire. An accompanist will be provided (please bring a second copy of your music for the pianist).
2. Sight-reading- Our audition team will evaluate your ability to read musical intervals and rhythmic patterns. These passages will be tonal in nature and singers will be evaluated on the beauty and accuracy of each passage.
3. Vocal Flexibility- Singers will be asked to prepare And He Shall Purify from Messiah. The auditioning musician will be asked to sing the first entrance of their choral voice part @ the tempo marking quarter note = 104
Formal auditions will be held again September 2013 but well qualified applicants are welcomed at all times.
Please contact Brandon Johnson to set an audition time.