Staff Report
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church invites the public to attend a special free concert on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. “Women’s Works: Celebrating Female Composers” will be performed by The Quire of Voyces, a renowned a cappella ensemble based in Santa Barbara under the artistic direction of Nathan Kreitzer. The Quire will perform the American premiere of Mass in A minor (1927) by Imogen Holst, the daughter of Gustav Holst, trained by Vaughan Williams, and the national leader of English music during the Blitz; a new commission by Emma Lou Diemer, the Santa Barbara living treasure of international renown as well as Alice Parker’s moving arrangements of hymns created when she worked for the great choral director Robert Shaw. According to Quire of Voyces administrator Patty Volner, “These outstanding works will be joined by other women’s compositions, who individually and in sum, will leave you wondering, why have I not heard this music before?”
This free concert will begin at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. for first-come, first-seated admission. Free-will donations are welcome at the door. After the 80-minute concert, there will be a complimentary reception to meet choir members and the director as well as enjoy refreshments. St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church is located at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos, California.
Founded in 1993, the Quire of Voyces is a non-profit organization affiliated with Santa Barbara City College whose mission is a commitment to presenting transcendent interpretations of sacred a cappella music from the Renaissance and modern eras. The Quire comprises professional singers from throughout Southern California who volunteer their time, passion and talent to create the ensemble’s acclaimed “crystalline” sound. Beyond Santa Barbara, the Quire of Voyces performs internationally and previously sang at High Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, concerts at Salisbury Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral and Saint James Piccadilly in London as well as performances in Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Finland and Estonia. The Quire also has a distinguished recording history with CDs available for purchase at Quire concerts as well local and online retailers. For more information, visit http://quireofvoyces.org
For further information about this free concert, please contact St. Mark’s Vocal Music Director and Quire of Voyces member Nichole Dechaine at (805) 688-4454 or nichole@smitv.org
About St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church: Formed in 1926 and serving the Santa Ynez Valley at its present location in downtown Los Olivos since 1979, St. Mark’s practices a spacious Christianity and welcomes people of all faiths or none. St. Mark’s is a no-fee community center for non-profit groups and community meetings, an arts venue for musical and cultural events, a welcome center for residents and area visitors, and a home to an Episcopal parish. St. Mark’s is also grateful to be home to the area’s Jewish community. St. Mark’s top-flight, non-sectarian professional preschool serves Santa Ynez Valley families with quality early-childhood education. Open doors, restrooms, free Wi-Fi, a shady courtyard, gardens, a labyrinth and water for pets are available for visitors and area residents all day, every day. For more information, please visit www.SMITV.org
