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Register by October 17 to Secure Your Spot!
| Registration Type | Member Price |
|---|---|
| Early Bird Registration (Sept. 11-Oct.3) | $750 |
| General Registration (Oct. 4-Oct.17) | $850 |
Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble
Since its inception, Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble has established a reputation for continually featuring a diverse range of new and rarely performed works, along with time-honored classics of choral literature. Formed in 1992 as a professional choral group by founding director Loren Pontén, Opus 7 specializes in 19th- through 21st-century a cappella choral music. As a resident ensemble of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, since 1994, Opus 7 is dedicated to performing the works of local and regional composers and regularly commissioning new choral compositions. In addition, since 2000 Opus 7 has fostered new talent in the field of choral music through its unique Student Choral Composition Awards Program.
Opus 7 has increasingly grown in stature through its internationally acclaimed CDs and in the past several years has been recognized as one of the nation’s finest and most innovative choral ensembles. Opus 7’s contribution to the expansion of the international choral repertoire and its tireless dedication to the commissioning and performance of new works has been recognized nationally by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and Chorus America. In June 2006, Opus 7 received the prestigious Award for Adventurous Programming for the third consecutive time, having also won in 2002 and 2004. Opus 7 is honored to be the first in the history of this award to have won three consecutive awards.
Amongst other distinctions, Opus 7 has been privileged to host esteemed American choral conductor Dale Warland in 2001 as guest conductor for the opening concert of its 10th anniversary season and again in May 2005 for its “Cathedral Classics” concert. The group has also hosted New Zealand’s finest choral conductor, Karen Grylls, Philharmonia Northwest’s Roupen Shakarian, and Seattle’s Dr. Robert Scandrett. Opus 7 has been a guest performing ensemble for the American Choral Directors Association and was featured at the American Guild of Organists National Conference in Seattle in 2000, performing with American choral legend Alice Parker.
The group has also garnered local and national acclaim for its three CD releases: O Rising Dawn, From Captivity to the Holy City, and its third CD, Let Us Sing Sweet Songs, a world-premiere recording of music by Northwest composer Bern Herbolsheimer.
