Artist description Drawn from the same root as the word "charisma", Charis ("grace") is an apt name for this unique vocal ensemble directed by well-known New York soprano Susanne Peck. Charis is unusual in its emphasis on the beauty of the unaccompanied human voice and in its search for musical settings of fine poetry by contemporary American composers. Charis, in fact, commissions composers throughout the United States to arrange music for its chamber voices. James Carr, one such composer, commented that Charis' concerts feature challenging modern American music by a group of uniquely committed people with a talent and deep passion for serious new music making. A dynamic conductor, an accomplished musician, and an experienced teacher, Ms. Peck's reputation for selecting interesting, harmonically rich music and for creating captivating performances has helped Charis gain a devoted following among concert-goers throughout the tri-state region and in Italy, where the group toured in the summer of 1995 to perform a program of early and contemporary Italian madrigals. Now in its fifth year, Charis' reputation continues to grow, enabling the group to attract some of the finest amateur voices in Westchester County. Charis was invited to appear several times with Philharmonia Virtuosi, a Westchester-based orchestra directed by Richard Kapp. The group was featured in Philharmonia Virtuosi’s 1993 and 1994 Holiday Festivals at SUNY Purchase, where Charis performed the complete Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes as well as selected holiday music. Charis also participated by invitation in:

Music Style A capella classical music

Musical Influences American composers, old and new

Similar Artists The Dale Warland Singers, Voices of Ascension

Artist History Charis was invited to appear several times with Philharmonia Virtuosi, a Westchester-based orchestra directed by Richard Kapp. The group was featured in Philharmonia Virtuosi’s 1993 and 1994 Holiday Festivals at SUNY Purchase, where Charis performed the complete Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes as well as selected holiday music. Charis also participated by invitation in: the 1995 Soclair Music Festival (Round Valley, New Jersey) organized by master harpsichordist Edward Brewer KeeneFest, the Dennis Keene Choral Festival (1998 and 1999), an acclaimed new choral festival and conductor's workshop inaugurated by renowned conductor Dennis Keene the 1997 Vienna Fest at the Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, Long Island

Group Members Artistic Director:Peck, SusanneSoprano:Chodoff, Deborah Denler, Erica Harris, Anne Hladczuk, Maria O'Brien, Margie Rodriguez, Rosanna Roeschel, Colleen Segall, Susan Alto Cornachio, Joan Fischetti, Alessandra Johnson, Linnea MacKinnon, Liana Parker, Pam Perry, Lynn Rentas, Pat Turner, Betsy Tenor Kelley, Jeff King, Alan Lautz, Terry Munson, Scott Wade, Philip (Phil) Bass Chodoff, David Detrick, Bruce Gelman, Yoram Harris, Erik Matilaine, John Mohr, Gene Osborn, Jeff Takken, Todd

Instruments a capella, plus the Charis Chamber Orchestra

Albums From Sorrow Free

Press Reviews "Charis is the finest chorus in Westchester, with singing worthy of a fully professional chorus; they have a blend, a virtuosity, a clarity and command of pitch found in very few choruses." (New York Times, 10/22/2000, quoting Dr. Dennis Keene, Director, Ascension Choir, NYC)

Location Dobbs Ferry, New York - USA

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