"The Birds Take Flight!"
Nightingale began as the brainchild of five intrepid musicians: Kelvyn Koning, Fran Daniel Laucerica, Jennifer Muñoz, Laura Nevitt, and Benjamin Perry. We met as Master’s students in the Conductor’s Choir at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee and found that we shared similar passions for taking choral music in a new direction. We held a meeting on Monday, December 11, 2018 at 3:15pm at Woody’s Grill and Tap to discuss the formation of a vocal ensemble that would perform a variety of music, particularly our own compositions. We explored how we wanted to be different from other vocal and choral groups, as well as what we could contribute to the musical world with our voices. Unique programming, original compositions, and tight harmonies were the name of our game. In May 2019 we performed our premiere concert, An Exploration of the Senses, which included music, poetry, and sensory elements such as grapes and essential oils.
By our next concert in December 2019, Sacred: A Life’s Journey, we grew to an octet, adding Peter Fletcher, John Haukoos, and Alissa Voth to the nest. We branched out into collaborations, first recording established composer Andrew Maxfield’s vocal compositions for SALT Contemporary Dance, then joining the Cøda Ensemble for their concert, The Invisible and Eternal, culminating with the performance of Arvo Pärt’s Stabat Mater. In January 2020, while Fran and Jennifer moved on to other pursuits, we expanded further to thirteen members, adding Mason Bynes, Katheryn Currie, Nicholas Ford, Josephine Kraemer, Jeannette Lee, Daniel Esteban Lugo, and John Moorman. By March 2020 we were well into rehearsing music for two spring concerts, one on the concept of Space and the other comprised of music by Andrew Maxfield. Our work on these concerts was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Although these concerts were cancelled, we continued meeting virtually to remain connected as an ensemble.
During the summer of 2020 we began laying the foundation for our organization and planning our 2020-2021 concert season for the virtual world. We produced over 2 hours of completely original music during the pandemic, which you can enjoy on our youtube channel.
~Written by founding members
Kelvyn Koning, Laura Nevitt, and Benjamin Perry
By our next concert in December 2019, Sacred: A Life’s Journey, we grew to an octet, adding Peter Fletcher, John Haukoos, and Alissa Voth to the nest. We branched out into collaborations, first recording established composer Andrew Maxfield’s vocal compositions for SALT Contemporary Dance, then joining the Cøda Ensemble for their concert, The Invisible and Eternal, culminating with the performance of Arvo Pärt’s Stabat Mater. In January 2020, while Fran and Jennifer moved on to other pursuits, we expanded further to thirteen members, adding Mason Bynes, Katheryn Currie, Nicholas Ford, Josephine Kraemer, Jeannette Lee, Daniel Esteban Lugo, and John Moorman. By March 2020 we were well into rehearsing music for two spring concerts, one on the concept of Space and the other comprised of music by Andrew Maxfield. Our work on these concerts was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Although these concerts were cancelled, we continued meeting virtually to remain connected as an ensemble.
During the summer of 2020 we began laying the foundation for our organization and planning our 2020-2021 concert season for the virtual world. We produced over 2 hours of completely original music during the pandemic, which you can enjoy on our youtube channel.
~Written by founding members
Kelvyn Koning, Laura Nevitt, and Benjamin Perry
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Co-Artistic Directorship for 3 years
Benjamin Perry and Laura Nevitt
One aspect that makes Nightingale unique is that, since its inception, the leadership model was shared. From the first concert in early 2019 to the summer of 2022, Laura Nevitt and I shared the responsibility of programming, recruiting, and shaping the musical experiences that Nightingale offers. We led with a 50-50 leadership style, and we balanced each other in many ways (often with one of us being the dreamer and the other the practical one, and vice-versa). In Nightingale's fourth season, Laura Nevitt is no longer an artistic director as she heads up her new treble ensemble: Lilith. We wish her the best and thank her for her invaluable and inspiring leadership over the years. Nightingale could not be what it is without her skillful conducting, thoughtful programming eye, and sheer musical passion. Laura wrote a moving piece entitled "Clean Air and Clean Water", setting the words of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for our Fall 2022 concert "Winds of Change". Laura has been commissioned to compose a piece for 12 voices and string quartet which will be premiered in Spring 2024.
I am honored to work with an insanely talented team of artists, composers, conductors, and singers, and this season I have delegated artistic leadership into multiple Project Lead roles, each of whom takes the lead in the curation and production of an individual concert experience. It is this co-creation and collective trust in our members that will continue to make Nightingale an innovative voice in Boston's professional musical world.
Join us for a spectacular season ahead!
—Ben Perry, Artistic Director
I am honored to work with an insanely talented team of artists, composers, conductors, and singers, and this season I have delegated artistic leadership into multiple Project Lead roles, each of whom takes the lead in the curation and production of an individual concert experience. It is this co-creation and collective trust in our members that will continue to make Nightingale an innovative voice in Boston's professional musical world.
Join us for a spectacular season ahead!
—Ben Perry, Artistic Director
