From the Music Director:

Dear Music-lover,

I would like to introduce you to Artists’ Vocal Ensemble (AVE) – a specialized ensemble of exceptional singers who share a common interest in promoting the glorious choral music of the High Renaissance. Founded on November 23, 2004 (the Feast Day of the Patron Saint of music, St. Cecilia), AVE immediately received high critical acclaim, from audiences and critics alike, for its creative programming, superb musical interpretation, and intense sound.

I decided to found this group partly because of my long-standing love of this repertoire and my enjoyment of working with the AVE singers, but mostly because I believe there is a profound soul-connection that this music offers us today, traversing the intervening centuries without any diminution of impact. Arguably, this period of vocal music has never been surpassed in complexity and beauty. Partly, I believe, this is due to the fact that this music serves a higher purpose than mere entertainment. Its primary purpose was, and is, to aid the listener in contemplation. Contemplation of the awesomeness and mystery of life, contemplation of oneself (Why am I here?), contemplation of that which is holy and set apart – larger than our own lives, contemplation of what it means to live in community (whether the village of the Renaissance, or the global community of the 21st century), and contemplation of one’s specific vocation of how to make this world a better place. Where much music today seeks to impress, this music seeks to uplift. Where today’s music energizes, this music gives solace. Where popular music is emotional, this music is spiritual. Where today’s music emphasizes the self, this music fosters community-awareness. In short, the world desperately needs this music!

I invite you to join us for our Spring season this year. We aim to present this music much as the composers, themselves, envisioned: in wonderful acoustic settings found in select churches, keeping the basic structure of the mass in tact as it might have been heard 500 years ago. We have programs averaging 75 minutes and start times that allow audiences to dine after the concert, rather than before.


We are very eager to hear from you if you have ideas for us, or if you are able to volunteer your efforts towards our cause. As a non-profit organization, we continue to develop our board, and welcome any and all donations, regardless of how small or large, to aid our music-making endeavors. If this music is already beloved by you, thank you for remaining supportive of the music and of us. If this music is brand new to you, I encourage you to attend one of our concerts and discover for yourself just how soothing and wonderful this music can be.

Peace,

Jonathan Dimmock