Commissions and Composer Collaboration

Bella Voce continues its tradition of collaborating with respected composers from around the world. In 2010, the group commissioned pieces from David Feurzeig, a faculty member of The University of Vermont, and, through the ACDA Women’s Choruses Commission Consortium, a piece by Norwegian composer and pianist Ola Gjeilo.

David Feurzeig was twice a featured guest (2005/2006) at the International Composer’s Festival in Bangkok. His “Songs of Love and Protest” were selected by the Dresden Chamber Chorus for the city’s 800th Jubilee in 2006 and premiered in the fabled Semper Opera House. His work has been awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Academy of Arts (London), the Hugh MacColl and Thomas Hoopes prizes from Harvard University, an Encore grant of the American Composer’s Forum, the Beebe Fellowship, and the John James Blackmore prize. Feurzeig received the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition from Cornell University where his teachers included Karel Husa and Steven Stucky, and an AB degree from Harvard College.

The music of Manhattan-based Norwegian composer and pianist Ola Gjeilo has been performed and recorded in more than 30 countries in venues including the Opera Houses of Copenhagen and Oslo, Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, Disney Hall in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Center and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. His music has been featured on PBS and radio stations across the U.S. After studying for his Bachelor’s Degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, the Royal College of Music in London and the Juilliard School in New York, he completed his Master’s Degree in composition at Julliard in 2006.

The choir commissioned two new choral pieces in its first two years: “Hold On!” by Robert DeCormier; and “Softly, Little Child” from Daniel Gawthrop as a part of a commission consortium with 12 other women’s choirs under the auspices of the American Choral Directors’ Association (ACDA).  In 2007 Bella Voce commissioned a new Christmas Cantata by Robert DeCormier, "Mary Had a Baby - A Suite of Christmas Spirituals".  Bella Voce is excited to have formed close ties with Robert DeCormier and Gwyneth Walker – both highly respected composers and residents of Vermont.

In the very first year of performing, Bella Voce’s reputation for artistic performances of quality repertoire caught the attention of Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker. The group has included Walker’s work as part of its repertoire at every performance. Walker has attended several rehearsals and performances of Bella Voce, working with the chorus on perfecting the presentation of her works. She selected Bella Voce to produce a recording of her music that will better showcase a wide range of her repertoire for women’s voices so that it can be marketed to directors of other women’s choruses and to the market for women’s music. That recording took place in 2007 and the first Bella Voce CD was released.  In the process of putting together the plans for the recording, Walker proposed the cantata based on the beloved classic, “Gift from the Sea.” The first song of the cantata was completed in spring 2006 and was performed at the 100^th birthday celebration of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s life held at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Walker joined with the women of Bella Voce in this performance.  The premiere of "Lessons from the Sea" was in April 2008.

In 2009 Bella Voce commissioned Michael Hopkins, UVM Orchestra Director and composer to write an 8-10 minute work for women’s voices and woodwind quintet to celebrate the Quadricentennial through music inspired by “Water and Light”.  The work premiered at the May 2009 concerts.  We performed The Singing Place by Joan Szymko, the second Women’s Chorus Consortium commission Bella Voce has participated in through the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

This year a new commission from David Feurzeig will be premiered by Cantiamo, Bella Voce's small ensemble at the May concerts, as well as a new piece by Gwyneth Walker.

Kaleidoscope Collaboration

During the 2005-06 season, Bella Voce forged an ongoing relationship with the Essex High School Women’s Choir, Kaleidoscope, and shared several rehearsals, performances, and social events with them through the year, including a trip to New York to perform at the ACDA Eastern Conference.  Kaleidoscope continues to perform each year with Bella Voce, and Bella Voce is featured at the Essex High School fall choral concert.