The Rose Ensemble, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, was originally founded by Jordan Sramek in 1996. The group, which is primarily vocal, specializes in medieval to modern music from around the world, occasionally commissioning new pieces following the older styles. Their music spans 1,000 years and 25 languages, with more songs on the way. The history of their music is carefully researched, with each CD containing an overview of where the music originally came from and when it was originally performed. Each member has been celebrated for their ability to sing as soloists as well as in a group, and Sramek has been lauded for his groundbreaking research.

The Rose Ensemble also offers a variety of educational programs. They offer three programs at the K-12 level, (Music From the Land of Three Faiths: Discovering Ancient Harmonies Across Cultures, Borders, and Religions; Celebremos! Musical Collaboration in Colonial Baroque Mexico; and Hawai'i Revealed: Music from the Soul of the Hawaiian Saga), three college workshops (Master Classes; Medieval Music

Medieval music

Medieval music is Western music written during the Middle Ages. This era begins with the fall of the Roman Empire and ends sometime in the early fifteenth century...

: Harmony of the Spheres; and Ensemble Singing: It's All About Blend) and four adult workshops (Gregorian Chant

Gregorian chant

Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...

: No you don't have to be a monk; Renaissance Music

Renaissance music

Renaissance music is European music written during the Renaissance. Defining the beginning of the musical era is difficult, given that its defining characteristics were adopted only gradually; musicologists have placed its beginnings from as early as 1300 to as late as the 1470s.Literally meaning...

: Beyond Merry Maids and fa-la-la; Music Research: Where did you find that music?; and Ensemble Singing Workshop: It's all about blend - advanced).

Critical Acclaim

• Recipient of a Rockefeller "Arts & Religion in the Twin Cities" Award
• 2005 Chorus America Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence
• first-place winner in the sacred music category at the 2007 Tolosa International Choral Competition (Spain).

Core Ensemble 2011-2012

• Jordan Sramek - Founder/Artistic Director/Tenor
• Kathy Lee - Soprano
• Kim Sueoka - Soprano
• Lisa Drew - Contralto
• Linda Kachelmeier - Alto
• Kristine Kautzman - Alto
• Nick Chalmers - Tenor
• Jonathan Ten Brink - Baritone
• Mark Dietrich - Bass
• Daniel Mahraun - Baritone
• Ginna Watson - Vielle, Rebec, Harp
• David Burk - 'ud, guitar, other stringed instruments

Recordings

• Seasons of Angels: Harmony of the Spheres
• Slavic Holiday: Legends from Ancient Czechoslovakia and Poland
• The Road to Compostela
• Fire of the Soul: Choral Virtuosity in 17th-Century Russia and Poland
• Celebremos El Nino: Christmas Delights from the Mexican Baroque
• Rosa Das Rosas: Cantigas de Santa Maria & Other Spiritual Songs for the Virgin
• Na Mele Hawai'i: A Rediscovery of Hawaiian Vocal Music
• And Glory Shown Around: Early American Carols, Country Dances, Southern Harmony Hymns, and Shaker Spiritual Songs

For a listing of reviews, check out this site.

External links

• The Rose Ensemble
• Topix News
• Minnesota Public Radio
• Oklahoma City Community College
• Goldberg Web