Words&Music informally began in 2006 with the mission of presenting a living composer's magnum opus for vocal quartet and piano: Ned Rorem's Evidence of Things Not Seen.  Through this work, the group found its identity as an ensemble devoted to promoting and performing vocal chamber music of all kinds: from presenting masterworks like Brahms' Liebeslieder Walzer to commissioning and/or presenting works from living composers.  One of our more recent hallmarks is creating eclectic programs interweaving classical and popular repertoire in dialogue with each other. Examples of this from one of our recent programs, “Starry Starry Night,” include pairing a moonlight serenade of Rossini’s with David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” and American composer Randall Thompson’s setting of Robert Frost’s “Choose Something Like a Star” paired with Monty Python’s “The Galaxy Song.” 

The spectrum of musical experiences at a Words&Music performance, though, can range from an innovative salon concert presenting a living composer's work, to a black box theatrical production or cabaret, or our annual winter music meditation, Star of the Morning.  This last program is possibly the anchor of our group’s identity after our foray into Evidence of Things Not Seen.   

A highlight of our commitment to new vocal chamber music was our commission and world premiere of Chickasaw composer Jerod Tate's Found Again in 2015, made possible in part by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts.  Mr. Tate used texts from former Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, and both Tate and Harjo were present for the premiere weekend to participate in artist-audience conversations.  Ms. Harjo even interpolated several poetic readings and pieces on her traditional Muskoke flute between movements. 

We continue to seek new ways to present both familiar and unfamiliar music in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and intimate, often with opportunities for the audience to be in direct dialogue with us and composers.

Melissa Coombs, Interim Chair & Co-Artistic Director
William Heim, Interim Chair & Co-Artistic Director
Susan Wagoner, Treasurer
Christina Zola Peck, Secretary