The Esoterics (ensemble)
Encyclopedia
The Esoterics is a vocal ensemble based in Seattle, Washington
, that performs contemporary a cappella
choral settings of poetry, philosophy, and spiritual writings from around the world.
It was founded in 1992 by director Eric Banks
for his Master's and Doctoral recitals in Choral Studies at the University of Washington
. He chose a name based on εσοτερικος, the ancient Greek adjective that describes a close-knit community and secret knowledge. The Esoterics incorporated with this name in early 1993.
The Esoterics has presented 16 seasons of virtuosic choral compositions composed in many languages and based on world religions. It has been honored as the only chorus from North America invited to compete in the 2000 Cork International Choral Festival
, the 2001 Certamen Coral de Tolosa in Spain, and the 2006 Harald Andersén International Choir Competition in Helsinki
, Finland
. In 2005, The Esoterics announced the inauguration of its annual choral composition competition, Polyphonos, which awards three premiere commissions each year to a national composer, an international composer, and a young composer under 30 years of age.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, that performs contemporary a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
choral settings of poetry, philosophy, and spiritual writings from around the world.
It was founded in 1992 by director Eric Banks
Eric Banks (composer)
Eric Banks is a Seattle-based composer, choral conductor, and ethnomusicologist, as well as a faculty member at Cornish College of the Arts....
for his Master's and Doctoral recitals in Choral Studies at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. He chose a name based on εσοτερικος, the ancient Greek adjective that describes a close-knit community and secret knowledge. The Esoterics incorporated with this name in early 1993.
The Esoterics has presented 16 seasons of virtuosic choral compositions composed in many languages and based on world religions. It has been honored as the only chorus from North America invited to compete in the 2000 Cork International Choral Festival
Cork International Choral Festival
The Cork International Choral Festival is held annually in Cork, Ireland over the May Bank Holiday Weekend and features choirs from all over the world.-History:...
, the 2001 Certamen Coral de Tolosa in Spain, and the 2006 Harald Andersén International Choir Competition in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. In 2005, The Esoterics announced the inauguration of its annual choral composition competition, Polyphonos, which awards three premiere commissions each year to a national composer, an international composer, and a young composer under 30 years of age.
Discography
- Beata. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (1997).
- Antiphonia. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (1999).
- Elementia. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2001).
- Penitentia. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2004).
- Immaginosa. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2005).
- Sonettaria. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2006).
- Nottura. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2006).
- Mandala. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2008).
- Ru'ia. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2009).
- Ourania. Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2009).
- Barber. Seattle, WA: Terpsichore (2010).
External links
- Official site
- Ponnekanti, Rosemary. Seattle choir brings harmony to religion, The News Tribune (2007-05-04)