Album Notes

Hailed by the San Jose Mercury News as "a Bay Area jewel", and extolled by the Bay Area Reporter as "pure balm for the ears", The Choral Project is celebrating its eleventh season.

The Choral Project, founded by Artistic Director Daniel Hughes in 1996, has developed an outstanding reputation for performing high-level choral literature and bridging the gap between text and music, singer and spectator. The 45-voice ensemble has performed throughout Northern California in concert performances, interfaith services, as well as choral festivals and invitationals, including performances for conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), showcase concerts for the National Association of Composers of the USA (NACUSA) and a performance by invitation to represent the State of California at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as part of the California State Day Celebration Service.


In July of 2004, The Choral Project took 2nd place in the Mixed Choir competition at the 58th annual International Eisteddfod in Wales. At the end of the competition, The Choral Project scored 274 out of 300, trailing the first place choir by only one point. Their performance of Juris Karlsons' "Neslegtais Gredzens," received the highest individual score of any performing group (95 out of 100) and was described by the international panel of judges as a "tour de force." In June of 2001, The Choral Project received rave reviews and standing ovations at concert performances during their first international tour to Mexico and Costa Rica, which included highly acclaimed performances on Mexican National Radio, and a joint concert with the Café Chorale in Costa Rica.


This year marks the release of two new recordings from The Choral Project on the Clarion label -- Winter, featuring the first commercial recording of Eric Whitacre's composition "Winter" with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra and sitar player Dr. Prasad Jogalekar; and One is the All, a recording that will accompany their June 2006 production of the same name, featuring the world premiere of "Kerámos", a new choral work by Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz. Also on the Clarion label, their critically-acclaimed recording entitled Water & Light, featuring the music of Eric Whitacre as well as selections by Lauridsen, Clausen, Tavener and others. The Choral Project has performed world premieres of compositions by numerous composers including Brent Heisinger, Brian Holmes, and Theodore Lucas.