The Esoterics is a vocal ensemble based in
Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is a port, seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the county seat, seat of King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in bo ...
that performs contemporary
a cappella
''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Ren ...
choral settings of poetry, philosophy, and spiritual writings from around the world.
It was founded in 1992 by director
Eric Banks for his Master's and Doctoral recitals in Choral Studies at the
University of Washington
The University of Washington (UW, simply Washington, or informally U-Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington.
Founded in 1861, Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast; it was established in Seattle a ...
. He chose a name based on εσοτερικος, the ancient Greek adjective that describes a close-knit community and secret knowledge. The Esoterics incorporated with this name in early 1993.
The Esoterics has presented 21 seasons of virtuosic choral compositions composed in many languages and based on world religions. The Esoterics has performed over 400 concerts throughout the Pacific Northwest, has commissioned and premiered more than 100 new works for a cappella voices in dozens of languages, and has mastered many of the most virtuosic choral compositions of the last century. " As the only chorus from North America, it has been invited to compete in the 2000
Cork International Choral Festival
The Cork International Choral Festival is held annually in Cork, Ireland and features choirs from all over the world. About 5,000 choristers take part every year; they come from all over Ireland, from Britain, from the European continent, and s ...
, the 2001 Certamen Coral de Tolosa in Spain, and the 2006 Harald Andersén International Choir Competition in
Helsinki
Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the Capital city, capital, primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Finland, most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of U ...
,
Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
. In 2005, The Esoterics announced the inauguration of its annual choral composition competition, Polyphonos, which awards three premiere commissions each year to a national composer, an international composer, and a young composer under 30 years of age.
[Kiraly, Philippa.]
Always creative Esoterics are ready for the night with 'Notturna'
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (2006-07-21). In 2011, The Esoterics appeared at the National Convention of The American Choral Director's Association in Chicago as the only community ensemble appearing from the West Coast.
In recognition for its efforts in choral education and innovation, The Esoterics has been honored four times with the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for the Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music (in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2008). The Esoterics has received several grants from the arts commissions of Washington State, King County, and the City of Seattle, as well as from The Ann Stookey Fund for New Music, ArtsFund, The Seattle Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts. The Esoterics is a member of the American Choral Director's Association, Chorus America, the International Federation for Choral Music, and GALA, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses.
Discography
Beata Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (1997).
Antiphonia Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (1999).
Elementia Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2001).
Penitentia Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2004).
Immaginosa Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2005).
Sonettaria Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2006).
Nottura Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2006).
Mandala Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2008).
Ru'ia Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2009).
Ourania Seattle, WA:Terpsichore (2009).
Barber Seattle, WA: Terpsichore (2010).
Haptadama Seattle, WA: Terpsichore (2011)
Chiaroscura Seattle, WA: Terpsichore (2011)
References
External links
Official site*Ponnekanti, Rosemary
The News Tribune (2007-05-04)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Esoterics
Choirs in Washington (state)
A cappella musical groups
Musical groups established in 1992