Seattle Pro Musica

Caught a very excellent and moving performance at Town Hall Seattle during the holiday season a couple of years ago. It really is heavenly listening to them. The choir members all held candles as they made their way to the stage coming down the aisles from various directions — a visually engaging entrance coupled with their angelic voices…
Musicians run in the family so we are all kind of biased towards instrumental performances but Seattle Pro Musica has convinced us that vocal performances are just as delightful.
Definitely want to see them again soon!

Wherever Seattle Pro Musica goes, I’ll be there. This ensemble is my Pied Piper of Hamelin.
The second time I saw this wondrous choir was at St. James Cathedral, a perfect, gorgeous setting for this celestial music. In this opportunity, they presented «Magnify,» English Sacred Music for the Cathedral.
It is very hard to ask you to imagine the beautiful power of double choir works performed in the spectacular acoustic of St. James Cathedral. Words aren’t enough to describe it.
That’s why I strongly encourage people to go see them perform. Here’s a short but beautiful sample of their music
I always like to point out part of the repertoire, and for «Magnificat» the chorus featured, among other pieces, C. V. Stanford’s «Magnificat», and Gustav Holst’s Ave Maria for eight-​part women’s chorus.
My ears and heart recall the performance of Herbert Howells’ «Requiem» as the most beautiful part of the concert. I closed my eyes and felt something that I’m sure is very similar to being in heaven, sorrounded by kindhearted singing souls. Stunning. I didn’t want it to end.
Even though this happened more than a month ago, I still long for those two hours to come back to my life and linger.
Seattle Pro Musica’s critically acclaimed chamber ensembles, Schola and Madrigalia, also performed; so did The Men and the Women’s Choir of Seattle Pro Musica.
They will be back with Mendelssohn’s «Elijah» (May 8^th & 9^th at St. James Cathedral).
As they say on their website «Mendelssohn composed his monumental Elijah in homage to his Baroque predecessors, Bach and Handel – the result is one of the most dramatic oratorios ever written. This intensely theatrical setting for chorus, soloists, and orchestra brings the Hebrew prophet Elijah vividly to life.»
I can’t wait to be back in heaven.

In the spirit of full disclosure– I’m a member of Seattle Pro Musica. But it is the third group I have sung with in Seattle. I have sung in semi-​professional groups for fifteen years– and this is the best group I have had a chance to rehearse and sing with. Hands down. The level of musicianship in the choir is exceptional, but it is the way that Pro Musica performs together which is truly incredible. The director, Karen Thomas, is a gifted composer as well as musician who interacts with the choir and the audience with the highest expectations, and yet compassion, humor and vigor. Deservedly, Pro Musica has won national and international recognition. But it isn’t the resume that compels me to sing, or invite you to listen. It is the chills I get even in early rehearsals of the beauty of the music. It is tears I have in my eyes as the notes spin together into the vaulted ceiling of St. James. It is the unusual camraderie of a group of truly exceptional musicians.
An email from a new audience member at the Magnify concert: I didn’t realize voices could sound so beautiful, they floated through the air creating such a sense of peace.
Really– if you have even the slightest inkling of interest in choral music, you should not miss it.

I heard the sounds of angels singing. They were part of the Seattle Pro Musica, performing sacred music for the cathedral. Their heavenly voices were showcased in the splendid setting of St. James Cathedral. Sometimes I was transfixed by the ethereal voices and just sat with my eyes closed. And yet the voices also moved around the cathedral, prompting me to watch them as they floated on their sounds. I felt transported to a soaring, otherworldly place.
This program featured Howell’s lovely Requiem, C. V. Stanford’s Magnificat (which was amazing), and Holst’s Ave Maria for eight-​part women’s chorus. A helpful program provided lyrics, Latin to English translations, and historical background on the composers.
If you enjoy talented voices and an occasional chill down your spine, follow Seattle Pro Musica to their next performance and prepare to listen in awe.

This is truly one of the best choirs I have ever heard, live or recorded. If you are interested in classical music you must see this group.