Vocal Art Ensemble

The Vocal Art Ensemble, an a capella chorus directed by Tracia Barbieri, was founded in February 2008. From their website, the goal of this singing group is "to present exquisite evenings of music, ranging from the elegant beauty of Renaissance motets to the compelling excitement of modern works. Appealing to both the discerning musician and the casual music lover, performances feature a capella choral pieces and intimate instrumentals by the areas most accomplished performers."

VAE's debut concert, May 2008, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis (photo: BillKendrick)

The 15-voice choral ensemble's debut concerts, entitled "New Renaissance", were held in May 2008 in Davis and Woodland, and included a classical guitar ensemble led by Matthew Grasso.

• Sunday May 11th, Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis
  

• Friday May 16th, Woodland Presbyterian Church of Woodland

• Bill Andrews
  

• Tracia Barbieri
  

• Chris Dolanc
  

• Melissa Hardenbrook
  

• Jeanine McElwain
  

• Jeri Ohmart
  

• David Showers
  

• Liese Schadt
  

• R. Douglas Barbieri
  

• Kathryn Dewey
  

• Christina Dolanc
  

• Lori Leong
  

• Steve McWilliams
  

• Cliff Ohmart
  

• Stephen Simmonds
  

• Betsy Taloff

The now 23-voice choral ensemble will present its fourth concert series, Voyages Musicaux — Carols from Distand Lands, in Woodland, Sacramento, and Davis on December 12 and December 13, 2009. According to the VAE website, the Voyages Musicaux program will "[explore] the human experience of faith, anticipation, and the celebration of new life through the music of more than twenty nations" and will feature instrumentals from guitarist Ray Frank of Mudlark and fiddler / octave mandolinist Bob Wren.

* Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 7:30pm; Woodland Presbyterian Church (1324 Columbia Drive)
* Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 2:00pm; Trinity Cathedral (2620 Capitol Ave, Sacramento)
* Sunday Dec. 13, 2009 7:30pm; U.U. Church of Davis (27078 Patwin Rd.)

The Ensemble (January 2009)