Opus 7 was formed by
Loren Pontén in 1992 as a professional vocal ensemble specializing in
19th- and 20th-century a cappella music. The group is known for its
imaginative programs, singing unusual or rarely performed works as well as
standard choral masterworks. They also have an active program of
commissioning new pieces. Opus 7 maintains a flexible membership of up to
28 singers and produces a subscription concert series in the Seattle area.
Opus 7 became a resident ensemble at St. James Cathedral in 1994. In March
of 2000 they were a featured performer at the Northwest American Choral
Directors Association Convention in Seattle. As part of its 1999-2000
season, Opus 7 inaugurated a Student Choral Composition Awards Program for
high school and college students. The goal of the program is to foster the
creation and performance of new choral music by talented young composers.
Loren
Pontén,
founder and artistic director of Opus 7 vocal ensemble, holds
undergraduate degrees in Music and Music Education and completed graduate
studies in choral conducting from the University of Washington. In January
of 1992 he formed Opus 7. He is on the Steering Committee and is the Vocal
Coordinator for the adult festival workshop Midsummer Musical Retreat, and
leads workshops throughout the Pacific Northwest on choral conducting,
vocal technique and ensemble singing. He has been an assistant conductor
for the Cathedral Choir of St. James in Seattle and also performs as a
freelance singer.
Northwest composer
John Muehleisen has served as composer-in-residence for Opus 7 Vocal
Ensemble since 1996, during which time Opus 7 has commissioned seven works
from him. Two of those works, De profundis and The Great ‘O’
Antiphons, appear on Opus 7 CDs on the Loft Recordings label. He recently
received a commission from the Dale Warland Singers as part of their 1999
/ 2000 New Choral Music Program. Other composition awards include a
Breicheman Award at the University of Washington and a Dean’s Prize at
Indiana University. Muehleisen holds a Master of Music in Composition from
the University of Washington, where he studied with William Bergsma and
William O. Smith. During his doctoral composition studies at Indiana
University he studied with John Eaton, Donald Erb, Eugene O’Brien, and
Harvey Sollberger.
