Solaris Vocal Ensemble brings to light great choral works that span the ages, through compelling performances imbued with passion and musical artistry.
Solaris this Season!
Tidings of Joy
Saturday, December 17, 7:30 p.m., Waterbury Congregational Church
Sunday, December 18, 4:00 p.m., College Street Congregational Church, Burlington
Embrace the season with Shout for Joy –Robert De Cormier’s jubilant set of five Christmas spirituals. Solaris is celebrating our fond memories of Robert in this centennial year of his birth. These concerts will also feature memorable music of England and Scotland including works by Henry Purcell and beloved English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams born 150 years ago. Tim Cummings, a renowned bagpipe performer and educator, will be our guest artist for these concerts.
TIMOTHY CUMMINGS is a Vermont-based composer and multi-instrumentalist (chiefly a piper) who enjoys an uncommonly diverse repertoire. His music spans from the contemporary and sacred to the traditional melodies of the British Isles, Appalachia, Cape Breton, Brittany, and beyond. He is also a recording artist, writer, and publisher of piping music.
Deep River – A Spiritual Journey
Friday, April 14, Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 15, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, St. Albans, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 16, College Street Congregational Church, Burlington, 4:00 p.m.
Stirring spirituals and folk songs that reflect heartfelt longing, love and joy will celebrate the musical experience. These concerts will highlight beloved spiritual arrangements by Andre Thomas, Jacqueline Hairston, Undine Moore and Robert De Cormier and brilliant settings of early American folk hymns by Mack Wilberg. Solaris is excited to share jazzy tunes for voices with saxophone with our good friend, Clayton Hamilton, once again this season!
CLAYTON HAMILTON is currently the Band Director at Burlington High School. He leads four different bands and teaches theory, guitar, and piano classes. An avid performer, he has performed with the Burlington Civic Orchestra and been a guest soloist with the Houghton College Chamber Orchestra. Clayton holds a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Education from Houghton College.
Welcome to our new Assistant Conductor
Cameron Brownell
Cameron, a native Vermonter from Colchester, graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music with degrees in Music Education and Voice Performance. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Sacred Music from the University of Notre Dame where he received the Sacred Music Program’s Academic Achievement Award.
After living in Utah for three years, where he worked as a chorus teacher and parish music director, and sang with the Utah Chamber Artists under the direction of Dr. Barlow Bradford, Cameron moved back to Vermont to accept the job as Chorus Teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg in 2020. In February 2022, he took on the additional role of Music Director at Charlotte Congregational Church in Charlotte.
Concert Videos and More!
If you enjoyed our concerts last season or you missed it, check out our videos of both our Christmas and Spring concerts. They can be viewed on our video page on this website, and on our YouTube Channel.
In addition, during Covid when we were unable to sing together, we continued singing virtually, producing many beautiful videos, which may also be found on YouTube.
Latest Concert Review
Thanks to our sponsors!
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.