Based out of the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area, the professional, Christian male ensemble, Brethren, is a group comprised of 30 singers from all walks of life and includes professional military musicians, free-lance artists, financial planners, school teachers, church musicians, a surveyor, a defense contractor, a park ranger, a flight attendant and a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City. In addition, they hail from nineteen different states in the Union: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and, of course, Washington, D.C.
The group actually began in October 2005 recording a small project of a cappella hymns (The Hymn Project) as a Christmas gift for one of their mothers. Well, long story short, nine singers met for the first time in a small, basement studio, spent about 10 hours recording some of their favorite hymns and the rest is, as they say, history. In fact, the group had never intended to continue singing together after the project was completed - but God had other plans.
Brethren is a versatile ensemble. At any given time, they may be found singing for a corporate function on the ‘hill’ in Washington, D.C., performing the National Anthem at a professional sporting event or presenting a full length concert at any number of churches in the DC/MD/VA area. They also spread the love of Christ in many different configurations. From Southern Gospel quartet to doo-wop group to chamber ensemble to a full choir, they have the ability to provide music for many different venues. Their repertoire is as eclectic as their configurations and encompasses all main stream genres of choral music - from Renaissance polyphony to traditional hymnody to spirituals to patriotic standards to southern gospel.
Read more...