MP3 Social Band - Vermont Composers Project

VERMONT COMPOSERS PROJECT
Social Band launched their Vermont Composers Project as a way to encourage new a cappella choral works. They commissioned 25 Vermont musicians - some young, some gray-haired; some very experienced, others just getting started.

23 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Contemporary, FOLK: Modern Folk



Details:
Social Band:
Social Band was founded in 1998 to offer music from a variety of compatible repertoires, much of it overlooked by other choral groups. We strive to draw upon the strengths of classical and folk traditions, and offer performances that are both refined and direct expressions of feeling. Encouraging composition has been part of Social Band's mission from the outset, and many members of the group have written new pieces for us. Social Band's Vermont Composers Project is a logical extension of this predilection. For more information see our website at www.socialband.org.

The Vermont Composers Project:
In spring 2003 a group of Social Band members were sitting around talking about the future direction of the group. Someone suggested, "Why don't we do an entire concert of original compositions?"
We embraced the idea immediately. After all, it made perfect sense. From its beginning, Social Band has been blessed with composers, mostly from within our own ranks, who regularly provide us with powerfullygood, original compositions. We decided to invite twenty-five Vermont composers to each write an original a cappella choral piece for us. We submitted grant applications and received generous funding from the Vermont Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Vermont Community Foundation, and the Argosy Foundation. We sent out commission invitations to a wide variety of Vermont composers, trying to reach across different genres, styles, and experience.
That's when the fun began. It turns out the composers were as excited about this project as we were. Before long we had new songs to start learning - beautiful songs! We were continually impressed and delighted as the songs rolled in, proving to us once again the creative wealth that we have here in Vermont. On this recording we are sharing some of those wonderful compositions with you. We hope you will enjoy being part of this exchange of gifts between composers, performers and audience.

Artistic Director:
Amity Baker has directed Social Band since 2001. She lives in her hometown of Waterbury Center, Vermont teaching, directing and singing to anyone who will listen. She has little in the way of formal training but makes up for that by hanging around people who have had lots. Like any good Vermonter, her waking hours are made up of a patchwork of projects. She directs summer music camps for children and teenagers, gives choral workshops in a variety of settings, teaches at Community College of Vermont, and is a feared and respected secretary at Christ Church, Presbyterian in Burlington. As a performer, Amity divides her time between Aurora Ancient Music, Trio Eccuci (specializing in Corsican polyphony), Soaked Oats (an old-time duo) and has collaborated for many years with Northern Harmony, a singing ensemble that specializes in world and early music.