Isthmus Vocal Ensemble

press release: When conductor Scott MacPherson convened some of Madison’s top singers in 2002, he had no way of knowing that the newly formed Isthmus Vocal Ensemble would begin one of Madison’s most anticipated summer musical traditions.

Known as "Madison's most temporary choir," the ensemble – a semi-professional choir of approximately 60 singers – brings new life to over 500 years of Choral Music within a brief two-week rehearsal period.

This intense spirit of camaraderie produces a singular remarkable experience, year after year.

Madison-area audiences have two opportunities to hear the 2015 program. The traditional Friday night concert takes place on at 7:30 p.m. on July 31st at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St. The program repeats at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 2nd, at Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, 110 N. Gammon Rd.

General admission tickets are available online at isthmusvocalensemble.org or at the door. $15 (adults)/$10 (students and seniors).

The program, "Unconventional Images," is a tapestry of unexpected beauty, including works spanning from the 1500s up to brand new compositions, featuring a world premiere from composer Corey Rubin entitled "The Snow Man."

Director Scott MacPherson writes "For these concerts, prepare your ears and mind to be led down an unconventional path, where you will ponder such images as the nativity, snow in the summer, sensual beauty, the desert, glory, mortality, and divine renewal."

Other featured works include Stephen Paulus' "Three Nativity Carols," "Beati quorum via" and "Coelos ascendit hodie" of C.V. Stanford, "Du bist aller Dinge schön" and "Fahet uns die Füchse" of Melchoir Franck, "Schaffe in mir Gott" of Johannes Brahms, "Gloria" of Dominick Argento and several newly composed pieces, including "Desert Rose" of Frank Wiley, as well as "I Sing to Use the Waiting" and "An Irish Blessing" from UW-Madison alumnus Andrew Rindfleisch.

The Isthmus Vocal Ensemble is led by Scott MacPherson, director of choral activities at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Its members include professional singers, choral directors, professors, lawyers, students and passionate advocates for the arts. The choir has performed by invitation at the North Central Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, commissioned several world premieres and released two professional CDs.