About About About About UsUsUsUs

CARMINA, (Latin for “poetry” or “songs”) is a chamber choir devoted to exploring the diverse musical styles of the Middles Ages through the Baroque. Now in its thirteenth season, Carmina has made appearances at the National Gallery of Art, the National Cathedral, Anderson House, the National Presbyterian Church, and the German Embassy. The group has collaborated with other local early music groups including Armonia Nova, The Washington Kantorei, the Washington Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, Ensemble Gaudior, and The Bach Sinfonia. Carmina has been praised both by The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun, which noted the group’s “gorgeous tonal balance.” Since 2004, Carmina has regularly presented concerts as part of the Washington Early Music Festival. Carmina's two CDs, A Carmina Sampler and The Son of Getron, are available at concerts and through the website. Illuminare, formed in the fall of 2006 as the Carmina Women’s Ensemble, focuses on early vocal repertoire composed or arranged for women’s voices. The name symbolizes the ensemble’s efforts to illuminate the glorious music of the past, often overlooked today. Just as the beautiful initial letters, or illuminations, decorated medieval manuscripts, the group strives to enhance and enrich the lives of its listeners through its performances. Illuminare has performed at the National Presbyterian Church, Anderson House, St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, and First Night Alexandria. Illuminare's performances for the Washington Early Music Festival have been favorably reviewed by The Washington Post.

Recent Reviews:

"Chamber choirs Carmina and Illuminare brought medieval music and words to life in an uplifting performance." - The Washington Post, 2008

"Unison singing is the gold standard of choral art,

which is what the two chamber choruses Carmina and Illuminare do so well." - The Washington Post, 2010

Carmina is now on Facebook! Check out the link, plus audio clips and more, at:

www.CARMINA.comwww.CARMINA.comwww.CARMINA.comwww.CARMINA.com General information: (703) 532-9356

Director and harpsichordist Vera Kochanowsky is a graduate of the Oberlin and New England Conservatories and holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University, where she specialized in the performance practices of the 17th and 18th centuries. Ms. Kochanowsky was also the recipient of a Fulbright grant for harpsichord study in Europe. Active as a harpsichord soloist, chamber musician, and private teacher, Ms. Kochanowsky has performed with numerous Washington area groups including the National Gallery Chamber Players, Bach Sinfonia, the Washington Kantorei, and La Menestrandise. Ms. Kochanowsky founded Carmina in 1997 and has served as its director since then. In 2006 she founded a second vocal ensemble, Illuminare.

Dr. Hubert Beckwith teaches music history and literature at George Mason University. After receiving a PhD in musicology from the University of Maryland, he served as the first executive secretary of the American Handel Society. He currently serves as music director at Crusader Lutheran Church in Rockville MD. A composer, arranger, and writer on music, Dr. Beckwith has sung with Carmina since 1998 and often prepares performing editions for the group. For its 2004 concert at the German Embassy, he composed a birthday tribute to Beethoven that was enthusiastically received by singers and audience alike.

CARMINA, Inc. Board of DirectorsCARMINA, Inc. Board of DirectorsCARMINA, Inc. Board of DirectorsCARMINA, Inc. Board of Directors

Marion Jetton, Chair David Ehrlich, Vice-chair Gregory Hutton, Treasurer Harlan Bittner, Secretary

Carol Ireland Rosemary McDonald Andrea Rebholz

Vera Kochanowsky, Ex-officio

CARMINACARMINACARMINACARMINA & & & & IlluminareIlluminareIlluminareIlluminare

Our Thirteenth Season

CARMINA: Tallis and Byrd November 23, 2010

CARMINA & Illuminare: Holiday Lobbying at the Willard

December 10, 2010

CARMINA & Illuminare: From Hildegard to Brahms

February 13, 2011

Illuminare at Strathmore March 30, 2011

CARMINA Sings for Osher April 29, 2011

CARMINA: Timor et Tremor May 20, 2011

Vera Kochanowsky, Music DirectorVera Kochanowsky, Music DirectorVera Kochanowsky, Music DirectorVera Kochanowsky, Music Director

Hubert Beckwith, Assistant DirectorHubert Beckwith, Assistant DirectorHubert Beckwith, Assistant DirectorHubert Beckwith, Assistant Director

2 0 1 0 – 2 0 1 1

CARMINACARMINACARMINACARMINA Tallis and ByrdTallis and ByrdTallis and ByrdTallis and Byrd

Tuesday, November 23 at 12:10 pm The Church of the Epiphany

1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC

Metro: Metro Center Voluntary donation Info: (202) 357-2635

Savor the rich harmonies and contrapuntal glories of the high English Renaissance. This lunch-hour concert will feature the

expressively intimate Mass for Four Voices by Thomas Tallis. Shorter favorites O Nata Lux and If Ye Love Me, as well as works by Tallis’ younger contemporary William Byrd,

will round out the program.

CARMINA & IlluminareCARMINA & IlluminareCARMINA & IlluminareCARMINA & Illuminare Holiday Lobbying at the WillardHoliday Lobbying at the WillardHoliday Lobbying at the WillardHoliday Lobbying at the Willard

Friday, December 10 at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm Willard InterContinental Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC Metro: Federal Triangle

Free admission Info: (703) 532-9356

Come celebrate the season with both ensembles in the beautifully decorated lobby of the historic Willard Hotel, where “lobbying” got its name. Hear traditional and lesser-known early works and sing along with us on our encore: Franz

Gruber’s original version of Stille Nacht. Seating is limited and will be available only on a

first-come, first-served basis. There is ample standing room. Two 45-minute performances.

CARMINA & IlCARMINA & IlCARMINA & IlCARMINA & Illuminareluminareluminareluminare From Hildegard to BrahmsFrom Hildegard to BrahmsFrom Hildegard to BrahmsFrom Hildegard to Brahms

Sunday, February 13 at 5:00 pm The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

6201 Dunrobbin Drive at MacArthur Blvd. Bethesda, MD Free parking

Voluntary donation Info: (301) 229-3770

While both ensembles focus primarily on music written before 1700, we have recently expanded into some later choral repertories, including those of Johannes Brahms and Samuel Barber. This program will showcase an extremely wide range of choral styles, featuring the visionary Medieval monodies of Hildegard von Bingen, contrapuntal works of the high Renaissance, the folksong-like choral creations of Brahms, a lively Spanish

villancico, and much more.

IlluminareIlluminareIlluminareIlluminare at Strathmore at Strathmore at Strathmore at Strathmore Art After HoursArt After HoursArt After HoursArt After Hours

with Steven Silverman, piano

Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 pm The Mansion at Strathmore, Shapiro Music Room

10701 Rockville Pike North Bethesda, MD

Metro: Grosvenor/Strathmore Tickets ($15) and Info: (301) 581-5100

or www.strathmore.org

The ladies of Illuminare will display their musical versatility, presenting a varied program of sacred and secular masterpieces, including works by Guerrero and Victoria. Pianist Steven Silverman joins us for a set of enchanting songs by Brahms. This concert is part of the Art After Hours series at the Strathmore Mansion. Seating is limited in the music room, so be sure to order your tickets early!

CARMINACARMINACARMINACARMINA Carmina SCarmina SCarmina SCarmina Sings for ings for ings for ings for OsherOsherOsherOsher

with Vera Kochanowsky, harpsichord

Friday, April 29 at 3:00 pm Fairfax Old Town Hall 3999 University Drive

Fairfax, VA Free

Info: (703) 503-3384

This program is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers intellectual and cultural experiences to retired Northern Virginia residents. This performance, however, will be open to the general public. No tickets or prior reservations are required. Carmina will perform

selections from its spring concerts with commentary by director and harpsichordist,

Vera Kochanowsky.

CARMINACARMINACARMINACARMINA Timor et TremorTimor et TremorTimor et TremorTimor et Tremor

Friday, May 20 at 8:00 pm Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle

1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC

Metro: Dupont Circle or Farragut North Suggested donation: $15 Info: (202) 587-5141

We will explore some of the most remarkable musical expressions of faith in the unparalleled acoustics of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Hear the

highly florid organum of twelfth-century composer Perotin, who pushed the boundaries of

ornamental expansion so far as to make the underlying chant totally unintelligible. Let your ear be amazed by the excruciatingly expressive harmonies of Gesualdo’s sacred motets and responsories. Other works include Lassus’

chromatic motet Timor et tremor.