About Voces Novae
Louisville's own Voces Novae is a unique, semi-professional choral ensemble conducted by Frank A. Heller, III, its founding Artistic Director. Now in its 18th season, the ensemble was founded in 1993 and is composed of 60 to 70 selectively auditioned singers from the Louisville and Southern Indiana metropolitan area. The Latin phrase voces novae ("new voices") reflects our mission and vision:
A community uplifting the human spirit by performing the finest in choral literature. We are dedicated to awakening the highest musical artistry, providing a camaraderie that nurtures our members' musical and personal development, and delivering a gift to our audience that evokes the spirit with which we embrace our music.
Voces Novae's repertoire includes a particular focus on a cappella and contemporary American music; however, the ensemble consistently performs an eclectic array of works ranging from early chant to European classical to living modern composers. As one reviewer wrote, "Though Frank Heller III and company are masterful interpreters of established repertoire, hardly a concert goes by that they don't also find at least one brilliant contemporary work that seems to transcend the limits of choral performance." (Marty Rosen, The Courier-Journal, 5/19/04) The ensemble has frequently collaborated with other choruses in the performance of major choral works with the Louisville Orchestra, and past seasons also have featured performances with the Louisville Ballet and the Adath Jeshurun Jewish Music Festival.
Voces Novae has released four CDs: My Heart Is Filled with Joy: Voces Novae Sings the Music of Harry Pickens; Recollections: Volumes I and II (selections from live performances); and, Soul of the Synagogue, a CD exploring the rich Jewish choral tradition.
Earning a reputation for its insightful interpretation of works, concert reviews have praised Voces Novae as "one of Louisville's most treasured musical institutions" (Marty Rosen, The Courier-Journal, 11/26/02) and lauded performances with the following words: "Heller knows how to coax a sound from his colleagues that is blended elegantly from top to bottom without ever sounding homogenized. His singers don't appear to strain at the notes -- they simply hit them." (Andrew Adler, The Courier-Journal, 3/8/04) And more recently: "Of all of Louisville's musical ensembles -- including the orchestra and the opera -- none more consistently creates heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping, emotional moments than Voces Novae." (Marty Rosen, LEO, 8/18/04).
