About Solaris

Based in Burlington, Vermont, this choir of 24 to 32 auditioned singers is led by Artistic Director, Dr. Dawn Willis. Solaris performs a wide variety of choral literature ranging from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century – from evocative and introspective a cappella selections to more expansive dramatic works involving a variety of instrumental forces.

Our singers have a deep musical background, and include life-long singers, area music educators, and instrumentalists who occasionally leave their place on the risers to accompany us on their cello, flute, trumpet or banjo. You can read our bios here.

We traditionally give 2 major concerts a year, in December and April, in venues in northeastern Vermont, and we hope to see you at one of them soon! We rely on the financial support of our audience and friends to bring our captivating concerts to light. Find out how you can help here.

Visit the Solaris Repertoire page for a look at a list of selections we have performed. If you would like to be kept up-to-date about Solaris activities, please join our mailing list on this site so we can keep you informed about our exciting upcoming performances.

Solaris has two educational programs: Composer-in-Residence and Mentoring Program. The Mentoring Program offers the Conducting Intern the unique opportunity to advance in their musical careers through a supportive mentoring program that provides a variety of leadership experiences and direct feedback and instruction for each step of their conducting development from rehearsal preparation through performance. They become involved in the music leadership team and learn about planning and preparation, feedback, and skills needed for a successful choral program.