Woodley Ensemble
Woodley Ensemble at Washington National Cathedral
Long held in high esteem for its expert vocalism and high musical standards, Woodley Ensemble has distinguished itself through its commitment to bringing beautiful and unusual choral music to the public through performances and recordings of the finest quality. Founded in 1991 by organist Robert Lehman, the group has also been led by Nicholas White. Current Music Director Frank Albinder has been with the group since 2000. The Ensemble’s repertoire includes music from all eras, with a special focus on music of the Renaissance and the modern era. Woodley Ensemble’s singers are among the finest professional choral musicians in the region, with each bringing a wide variety of knowledge and experience to the group. Woodley Ensemble maintains an active concert schedule, including performances in Washington, DC and throughout the region and beyond. The group has performed on the National Conventions of Chorus America and the American Guild of Organists as well at at the Eastern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association. The Ensemble has appeared in New York City on the chamber music series at the 92nd Street Y and at Columbia University's Miller Theater, as well as in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in South Carolina and the Reading Music Festival in Pennsylvania. In the Washington area, the Ensemble has been featured on the Dumbarton Concert Series, the summer concert series at Washington National Cathedral, in the “Art of the Choir” Festival at St. Paul's Church as guest artists on the subscription series of the Cathedral Choral Society and with the Washington Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap.
The Ensemble has a long-standing relationship with Peter Phillips, founder and music director of the Tallis Scholars. Mr. Phillips has come to Washington to guest-conduct the Ensemble four times, and Woodley has performed with the Tallis Scholars in New York City and at the University of Maryland. His visits are highlights of the Ensemble’s performance calendar.
The group has released several recordings, including Love Songs for Chorus, on the Arsis Audio label, which was featured on the cover of Fanfare Magazine. A review in the Choral Journal notes: “This recording is seventy minutes of exquisite contemporary choral singing. From the lush opening chord to the last, conductor Frank Albinder leads the Washington, D.C. based ensemble with impeccable precision. Especially impressive is the vertical tuning displayed by this group while performing repertoire replete with difficult harmonies and tone clusters. Dynamic contrasts are thrilling and heartfelt and are indicative of the singers' connection to the poetry.” The Ensemble has also recorded two discs of hymns from the Episcopal Hymnal of 1940, available on the Bluemont Records label. A new CD of classic 20th-century choral music by Marshall, Pärt, Schoenfield and Waldenby will be released by Arsis Audio in 2010.
The Ensemble has a long-standing relationship with Peter Phillips, founder and music director of the Tallis Scholars. Mr. Phillips has come to Washington to guest-conduct the Ensemble four times, and Woodley has performed with the Tallis Scholars in New York City and at the University of Maryland. His visits are highlights of the Ensemble’s performance calendar.
The group has released several recordings, including Love Songs for Chorus, on the Arsis Audio label, which was featured on the cover of Fanfare Magazine. A review in the Choral Journal notes: “This recording is seventy minutes of exquisite contemporary choral singing. From the lush opening chord to the last, conductor Frank Albinder leads the Washington, D.C. based ensemble with impeccable precision. Especially impressive is the vertical tuning displayed by this group while performing repertoire replete with difficult harmonies and tone clusters. Dynamic contrasts are thrilling and heartfelt and are indicative of the singers' connection to the poetry.” The Ensemble has also recorded two discs of hymns from the Episcopal Hymnal of 1940, available on the Bluemont Records label. A new CD of classic 20th-century choral music by Marshall, Pärt, Schoenfield and Waldenby will be released by Arsis Audio in 2010.