In the summer of 2005, a few singers in the Madison Early Music Festival decided that it was a fine idea to get together and delight themselves with singing Madrigals. The group's first piece—William Byrd’s “This sweet and merry month of May”, whose endin...  moreIn the summer of 2005, a few singers in the Madison Early Music Festival decided that it was a fine idea to get together and delight themselves with singing Madrigals. The group's first piece—William Byrd’s “This sweet and merry month of May”, whose ending celebrated Queen Elizabeth I with the words And greet Eliza with a rhyme: O beauteous Queen of Second Troy, Take well in worth a simple toy. provided a great name for the group. Eliza’s Toyes was born, and existed every summer in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2008, a fair number of singers who were in Eliza's Toyes are living in Madison once again. Thus we gather, outside of the Festival, for the joy of music making. It is our pleasure to continue sharing this wonderful body of music with you for the second year!  less

The Ensemble Thios Omilos was founded in 2002 by members of the Leipzig Thomanerchor and quickly became recognized for their stylistic dedication to the interpretation of sacred music as well as secular literature from the renaissance to modern. From reno...  moreThe Ensemble Thios Omilos was founded in 2002 by members of the Leipzig Thomanerchor and quickly became recognized for their stylistic dedication to the interpretation of sacred music as well as secular literature from the renaissance to modern. From renowned festivals, such as the Leipzig Bachfest, the MDR Summer Music, the music festival in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the “Kultursommer” in Nordhessen, and the “Musiksommer” in both Schönberg and Quedlinburg, to performances abroad, the singers have been warmly welcomed. The vocal quintet went on tour in 2007 to the People’s Republic of China and in 2010 to Taiwan. In 2013 the group was invited to Rome to perform a concert in honor of the council chairman of the Evangelical Reformed Church visiting the Holy See. In the same year Thios Omilos won first place in the Johannes-Brahms-Competition in Wernigerode, the Anton-Bruckner-Competition in Linz, and the Leipzig Conservatory of Music and Theater Ensemble Competition. In 2013 the group produced a follow up album...    less

A Cappella Early Music Choir singing at La-Chapelle-St. Mesmin during their Concert Tour to France in June

Jonathan Adams' "I Believe in the Sun" for SATB chorus with images of the victims of Hurricane Katrina

Professional vocal quintet from Seville (Spain), specialized on Renaissance and Baroque vocal music. First spanish vocal group about singing the complete catalogue of Madrigals by Monteverdi.

The Laudate Renaissance Ensemble is a small group of enthusiastic amateur singers from Zagreb (Croatia) who perform music ranging from renaissance Madrigals to sacred contemporary liturgies. The choir promotes European and Croatian musical heritage giving...  moreThe Laudate Renaissance Ensemble is a small group of enthusiastic amateur singers from Zagreb (Croatia) who perform music ranging from renaissance Madrigals to sacred contemporary liturgies. The choir promotes European and Croatian musical heritage giving concerts both home and outside Zagreb, but also enjoys performing classical music to the audience that does not tend to go to cultural events. Since 2007, the choir has been conducted by Ms. Elena Konovalova. Under her guidance, the choir won first place at Zagreb Singing Choirs Competition 2012, in Vocal Ensembles category. CONTACT US The Laudate Renaissance Ensemble enjoys performing renaissance music at Renaissance fairs and history events, in museums, castles or churches. If you require a group of singers to entertain and impress the audience by giving them costumed performance, you can hire us to sing some fine frottolas and Madrigals.  less

The Stellenbosch University Choir is the oldest and most celebrated choir in South Africa. The Choir was founded in 1936 under the baton of William Morris. After him various conductors established the ensemble as an influential South African choir: Gaw...  moreThe Stellenbosch University Choir is the oldest and most celebrated choir in South Africa. The Choir was founded in 1936 under the baton of William Morris. After him various conductors established the ensemble as an influential South African choir: Gawie Cillié (1940 - 1954) Philip McLachlan (1955 - 1976) Johan de Villiers (1977 - 1984) Acáma Fick (1985 - 1992) Sonja van der Walt (1993 - 2002) André van der Merwe (2003 - ) The Choir comprises of students from various academic courses and generally only a few members study music. The Choir, an ensemble of approximately 80 – 100 voices, has won international acclaim through performances, concert tours, and participation in prestigious festivals and competitions. The Choir is currently ranked 1st on the Interkultur World Ranking List for amateur choirs. Contact us: us_koor@sun.ac.za Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/uschoirkoor Watch us on YouTube: less

Recorded on 5/3/2024 at Our Beautiful Savior's Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ as part of our "Modern Madrigals" concert. ​Text: "The silver swan, who living had no note, When death approached, unlocked her silent throat; Leaning her breast against ...  moreRecorded on 5/3/2024 at Our Beautiful Savior's Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ as part of our "Modern Madrigals" concert. ​Text: "The silver swan, who living had no note, When death approached, unlocked her silent throat; Leaning her breast against the reedy shore, Thus sang her last, and sang no more: 'Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes; More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.' " - Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625) Program notes: A famous text also famously used by Gibbons himself for his own Madrigal, Hailstork here pays homage to the work's 16th-century roots. An early composition (written while in college) from the proflic composer, Hailstork combined his own language with his love for choral literature to create a piece reminiscent of the Renaissance with a modern flair. The harmonic language harkens back to a hexachordal modality of the 16th century, uses an unaccompanied SATB choir, and employs varied moments of imitative polyphony and homophony. This short wor...    less

--- Text by: Gabriel T. Guillaume --- English Translation: God's will be done. (Fiat voluntas Dei.) God of Providence, You who have never failed us, Be blessed now and always. You created all things with an eternal love, For our greater...  more--- Text by: Gabriel T. Guillaume --- English Translation: God's will be done. (Fiat voluntas Dei.) God of Providence, You who have never failed us, Be blessed now and always. You created all things with an eternal love, For our greater good You gave them to us; The bird, our brother, does not sow nor harvest; Though for him to be fed, oh Lord, You provide. A simple lily, a tiny flower, Surpasses the splendor of the great King Solomon. God of Providence, You who have never failed us, Be blessed now and always. Why must we worry of the things to come? Why so many concerns for our future? God of Providence, Master of the Universe, You give to your children more than is needed. In spite of our fears and despite our misfortunes, In our moments of joy and even in our pains, We implore You, oh Lord, God of Providence, You offer us always Your divine presence. Let us search joyfully for the Kingdom of God, For Love and Justice, for Good, for the Peace of the Lor...    less

We are a long establised choir joined by our passion for singing and music. We are made up of people from all walks of life - some trained to sing and others not. As such we have a massively varied repertoire as well as taking on new pieces regularly. ...  moreWe are a long establised choir joined by our passion for singing and music. We are made up of people from all walks of life - some trained to sing and others not. As such we have a massively varied repertoire as well as taking on new pieces regularly. Tweet us @marlowesingers http://www.myspace.com/marlowesingers We have a couple of concerts each year - christmas and summer and this is inter-splashed with singing at local events and the local festivals. We also have a few social events! We are always looking for new voices to join us - so get in touch!  less