ABOUT US

Seattle Pro Musica, winner of the Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence and the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music, is a critically acclaimed choral ensemble, performing under the direction of conductor and artistic director Karen P. Thomas. Seattle Pro Musica is one of only seven choirs nationwide selected for the National Endowment for the Arts’ American Masterpieces Choral Initiative. Under the auspices of the NEA, Seattle Pro Musica will produce the American Masterpieces Choral Festival in Seattle (June 15-17, 2007), and will tour in Washington and Oregon during the 2006-07 season.

Seattle Pro Musica is widely considered to be one of the finest ensembles in the Pacific Northwest – American Record Guide ranks it “among America’s very best choirs” and “the crème de la crème of the Pacific Northwest.” Seattle Pro Musica has received international recognition and acclaim for its CD recordings and live performances. Of the CD Alnight by the Rose, Choir and Organ magazine (Great Britain) writes: “…there is great depth and purity in this performance… Seattle Pro Musica presents a cappella singing at its best…” Fanfare Record Magazine writes: “The Seattle Pro Musica’s intonation is razor sharp…” and “the tone and blend are exquisite.” Of Seattle Pro Musica’s recording of Rachmaninov’s Vespers, American Record Guide says: “They sing with incredible smoothness, rich sonic textures, impeccable technique, and truly heartfelt emotionality… this is a masterly and utterly gorgeous reading that illuminates many of the work’s profoundest passages with subtle clarity, while delivering plenty of power and punch where called for.” The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has praised the group’s “crystalline textures and precise musicality” and “technical finesse” as well as its “provocative and evocative” programming.

Seattle Pro Musica has appeared as a featured ensemble on the NPR radio show Saint Paul Sunday, and has performed by invitation for the World Festival of Women’s Singing, Festival Vancouver in Canada, the American Guild of Organists National Convention and the American Choral Directors Association Regional Convention.

Known for its adventurous programming and compelling performances, Seattle Pro Musica performs an annual subscription concert season of repertoire ranging from Medieval chant to choral masterpieces and the works of living composers. Seattle Pro Musica also performs outreach concerts and workshops, and has an active education program. The music of American composers also features prominently in Seattle Pro Musica's repertoire, with a special emphasis on the composers of the Northwest. Musical highlights of the last few years include numerous world premieres and Seattle premieres, as well as performances of Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, Bach's Mass in B minor and St. John Passion, Mozart's Mass in C minor and Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Poulenc's Gloria and Fauré's Requiem, plus numerous major choral/orchestral works.

Seattle Pro Musica has been recognized for its outstanding contributions to music in the Northwest with generous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsFund, Seattle Foundation, THE Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Nesholm Family Foundation, Meet the Composer, Standing Ovation, Young Singers Foundation, and the Seattle, King County and Washington State Arts Commissions.