Solaris Vocal Ensemble brings to light great choral works that span the ages, through compelling performances imbued with passion and musical artistry.
Upcoming Concerts
Holiday Cheer Concerts – A Festive Celebration!
Saturday, December 20. 2025, 7:30 pm
Waterbury Congregational Church: Tickets
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 4:00 pm
College Street Congregational Church, Burlington Tickets
Celebrate the magic of the season with Solaris Vocal Ensemble and the Skylark String Quartet, an acclaimed contemporary string ensemble joining as guest artists for this year’s Holiday Cheer concerts!
At the heart of the program is Randol Alan Bass’s brilliant Feast of Carols—a dazzling centerpiece for strings, oboe, percussion, and piano. The concerts also feature two world premieres by Solaris’ Composer-in-Residence, Dr. James Stewart, including his stunning new arrangement of I Wonder as I Wander.
The evening opens with Healy Willan’s jubilant Hodie, Christus Natus Est and unfolds into a luminous journey of sound—from John Trotta’s mystical setting of O Nata Lux and Toby Young’s radiant O Be Joyful to the ethereal beauty of Brent Pierce’s How Still He Rests, where oboe and wind chimes intertwine with voices. The celebration concludes with the rhythmic energy of the Nigerian carol Betelehemu and a sparkling, joy-filled rendition of Jingle Bells performed by Solaris’s own music educators.
Join us for a concert filled with brilliance, warmth, and wonder—where ancient carols and new creations unite to bring Holiday Cheer to all.
Tickets on sale now – reserve your seats early for this unforgettable celebration!
Skylark is an eclectic contemporary string ensemble based in northern Vermont. With decades of experience in the professional music community, SKYLARK’s sound and repertoire challenge the boundaries between the classical and folk traditions, creating innovative and original works for all audiences. Influenced by the Nordic, Celtic and American regions, SKYLARK’s music is melody-driven with unique energy, irresistible flair and undeniable beauty.
Known for their vibrant quartet concerts, Skylark is also an avid collaborator. Within the last six months, Skylark’s concert projects have included performances with Guster, Henry Jamison, Mary Bonhag and an album recording with Jazz trumpeter Connor Young.
Violinist, teacher and curator Jane Kittredge can be seen and heard performing with numerous ensembles across the northeast. A graduate of the Mannes College of Music (BM, MM), she is the Violin Professor at the UVM School of the Arts.
Violist Ana Ruesink is an active freelance musician and performs with orchestras and chamber groups throughout the region. With degrees from Swarthmore College and UVM, she teaches viola from her home and at the UVM School of the Arts.
Ben Lively is a versatile violinist and multi-instrumentalist with a wide-ranging musical background including classical, jazz, bluegrass, and tango music. He holds degrees from Middlebury College and Parisian jazz conservatory Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood.
John Dunlop has been playing music for audiences in the northeast for over thirty years as principal cello with Vermont Symphony as well as many other regional ensembles. He teaches the next generation of cellists at his private studio in Richmond VT.
Spring Concerts: Solaris Blue Skies
Saturday, April 11, 7:30 pm
Waterbury Congregational Church
Sunday, April 12, 4:00 pm
College Street Congregational Church, Burlington
We asked!
What is the one thing you would tell someone considering attending a future concert by Solaris?
Every Solaris concert is so unique and extraordinary. They never cease to surpass my expectations! i brought a friend who had never been to a Solaris concert and she was so surprised to find out what she had been missing out on. She’s putting the future concerts on her calendar now.
The quality of performance is excellent and the program selections are always interesting.
Solaris concerts are some of the best concerts I have ever attended in my life. I never look at my watch and I never want them to end.
Don’t miss it!
We have so much more in store for you….save the dates for our upcoming concerts!
Thank you to all who attended our April Concerts! Check out the video of our Waterbury concert here.
Accessibility
Solaris does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission, or access to, or employment in its programs and activities. Solaris welcomes all of our community to our performances and events. We are committed to ensuring our venues are as accessible as possible. Large print programs are available at every performance. If other accommodations are needed, please inquire in advance by emailing admin@SolarisEnsemble.org.
Become a SUSTAINING MEMBER!
Just use the Donate button below and choose the monthly option.
Sustaining Members provide Solaris with a dependable base of revenue used to sustain the performances in our community. As a monthly sustainer your contribution is ongoing, and is always active until you say otherwise giving you complete control. Sustainers will be noted in performance programs as Sustaining Members. Most importantly, sustainers have the satisfaction of knowing they are always actively doing their part to keep Solaris thriving.
Call for Volunteers!
If you’d like to help out with Solaris concerts we’d love to have you! We often need ushers, ticket takers, CD sellers, etc. We would love help engaging with the business community for support through sponsorships or program advertising.
To inquire contact Molly at Volunteer@solarisensemble.org.
Thanks to our sponsors!
Sponsors
Concerts are supported in part by the Concert Artists Fund of the
Oakland Foundation
Sustainers
Benefactors
Show your support for Solaris and share your business with our audience in our concert program! We have advertising options for each concert season in a variety of sizes and prices. Advertising revenue is vital and supports our artistic programming, guest artists, staff, performance space, and necessary operating expenses.