Essential Voices USA

Music Director and Conductor

Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA (EVUSA), one of New York’s preeminent choral ensembles, brings together a roster of seasoned professionals and auditioned volunteers. With this unique choral model, created by Clurman, the size of the ensemble is constantly changing, dictated by the specific musical needs of each project. Currently in residence with The New York Pops on Carnegie Hall’s subscription series, EVUSA is no stranger to New York’s iconic performance venues; the group produces its own classical concerts, workshops, and recordings at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and participated in the Leonard Bernstein Celebration at Symphony Space. EVUSA also regularly participates in The Composer Speaks, a series of concerts in workshop format, created and moderated by Judith, which has included the music of Larry Hochman, Bruce Ruben, Paul Schoenfield, Shulamit Ran, and Joshua Schmidt.

“A World‐Class Chorus called Essential Voices USA… If the nuanced, introspective and brainy aspects of Sondheim's work were layered beneath the surface, they often came brilliantly to light with Clurman's disciplined ensemble… It’s natural that Clurman would want to squeeze out every drop of truthfulness in performance.”

—The Sondheim Review

“It was an evening of great music and brilliant lyrics beautifully performed”

— New York Daily News

Judith leading a rehearsal.
Photo © Steve J. Sherman. All rights reserved.

Increasing its reach beyond New York, EVUSA was featured on NBC’s national broadcasts of the 2011 and 2012 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting. Its collaboration on Clurman’s critically acclaimed CD Celebrating The American Spirit (Sono Luminus), which includes the voices of Kelli O’Hara and Ron Raines, was featured on NPR on Inauguration Day, 2013. The group also recorded the song “The Music In My Mind” for Marvin Hamlisch’s children’s book, Marvin Makes Music. Judith conducted student members of EVUSA at the Washington National Cathedral in a recording of “Peace” by Howard Shore, with words by Eleanor Roosevelt. Still to come for Essential Voices USA is the “Sing Out Mr. President” Sing-Along at the “Church of the Presidents,” a performance and recording of Mozart’s “Raunchy Canons,” and another turn at Carnegie Hall in “The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz.”

For further information, visit the EVUSA website or contact EssentialVoicesUSA@gmail.com

 

EVUSA at Leonard Bernstein: A Celebration. Photo © Richard Termine. All rights reserved.