Collage Vocal Ensemble

The Collage Vocal Ensemble is a select mixed chamber choir dedicated to performing compelling and challenging repertoire from a wide range of time periods and musical traditions. Founded in May, 2011, the Portola Valley-based group presents a mix of full-ensemble and small-ensemble works in its concerts, and donates all net proceeds to local charitable organizations.

2024-25 SEASON

 “The Silver Swan”

Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 4 pm

St. Bede’s Episcopal Church

2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park

Our program explores contrasting emotions when facing death with defiance or serenity, even joy, and when living a rich life in good times and bad.  The “collage” of music ranges widely from the Renaissance composer Orlando Gibbons, whose song “The Silver Swan” gives us our title, through the early American composer William Billings, right up to the present day. We have songs of sublime beauty from two living luminaries in the choral world, Eric Whitacre and Eriks Esenvalds. Other songs give voice to profound wisdom as in Stephen Chatman’s “Do not stand at my grave and weep” or exuberance as in “The Rhythm of Life” from the musical “Sweet Charity” or Alice Parker’s spiritual “By and by”. From other popular genres, we sing the Beatles’ “In my life” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over troubled water”. We look forward to sharing these songs and many more with you.

We ask for $20. All proceeds will go to LifeMoves, a local charity addressing the problem of homelessness.

Visit our group on Facebook  collagevocalensemble