“The full Essential Voices chorus sang in glorious harmony, backed by the full and rich orchestra.”

– Broadway World

Click here to contribute: EVUSA Giving Portal

EVUSA at Carnegie Hall, Judith Clurman, Conducting (© Richard Termine used with permission)

“The members of EVUSA do exquisite work. . .”

– The Huffington Post’

ABOUT ESSENTIAL VOICES USA

Judith Clurman’s Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) is one of New York’s preeminent choral ensembles. EVUSA performs in many of the city’s iconic venues and events, and records and premieres works by America’s finest composers and lyricists. The ensemble is comprised of a talented roster of seasoned professionals and auditioned volunteers, dynamically fitted to the unique needs of each project.  

The chorus held a month-long residency at National Public Radio, performed for many years with The New York Pops in its Carnegie Hall subscription series, performed on NBC’s July 4th Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular and at the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, performed at Lincoln Center, and participated in President Obama’s Inaugural activities. On July 4, 2022, they performed Washington Women, the choral cycle they commissioned, on the National Public Radio Tiny Desk Concerts. They have recently performed in educational programs in the New York City schools. 

EVUSA has produced The Composer Speaks at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, a series of musical performances complemented by panel discussions with composers and lyricists. The chorus premiered works and collaborated with composers and arrangers Samuel Adler, Milton Babbitt, Jason Robert Brown, David Chase, Josh Clayton, Shawn Crouch, Bill Cutter, Michael Gilbertson, Marvin Hamlisch, Rupert Holmes, Sheldon Harnick, Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum, Perre Jalbert, Katie Jenkins, Andrew Lippa, Paul Moravec, Nico Muhly, Stephen Schwartz, David Shire, Howard Shore, Roberto Sierra, Mark Sirett, James Sizemore, Georgia Stitt, and Jonathan Tunick. 

They have recorded with opera and musical theater luminaries, including Jamie Barton, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ron Raines, and Kelli O’Hara. Their recordings include America at Heart, Celebrating the American Spirit, Appalachian Stories, Cherished Moments: Songs of the Jewish Spirit, Devotion, Holiday Harmonies: Songs of Christmas, Cradle Hymn, May You Heal, Season of Light: Songs of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, New Year, Rejoice! Honoring the Jewish Spirit, Remember-Revere-Rejoice, Washington Women, Winter Harmonies, and Words Matter.

The group’s educational program, Project Youth Chorus, has provided select high school students the opportunity to sing with the chorus on recordings and in concerts at Carnegie Hall.  They recorded Howard Shore’s work Peace, for the composer’s Palace Among Ruins recording,at the Washington National Cathedral, with the St. Albans School for Boys and National Cathedral School for Girls. They participated in anti-bullying workshops with choruses in NYC, where they studied the piece Testimony by Stephen Schwartz and sang the NY Premiere of the Chase/Clurman Washington Women with students at the Celia Cruz High School for Music in the Bronx.

During the 2023-2024 EVUSA released their Christmas Joy recording, returned to Carnegie Hall, performed community sing-alongs, and recorded newly commissioned music. Their recording of Songs of Freedom: A Celebration of Chanukah was heard at the Indianapolis’ Art Museum – Newfields holiday light show.   During the 2024-2025 season, EVUSA will release recordings of holiday music, return to Carnegie Hall, present a Sing Along of Handel’s Messiah, and record music by Stephen Sondheim.  Their recordings will be heard at the Indianapolis holiday light show.

EVUSA’s mission is threefold:

  • Engage diverse audiences through dynamic programming and recordings, and by presenting new works that showcase composers and the art of composition;
  • Entertain through innovative and soul-stirring performances;
  • Enrich the lives of our singers, the New York community, and our audience-at-large by sharing our dedication to excellence and our deep love of music.

Contact: EssentialVoicesUSA (@) gmail.com

EVUSA Bio for Press is available here:
EVUSA Bio Word Doc (Download) or EVUSA Bio PDF (Download)

Judith Clurman and EVUSA at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, July 1, 2022

To learn more about EVUSA and membership, find us on Facebook.

“With gorgeous harmonies and soaring vocal chorale sounds, Essential Voices USA, conducted by Judith Clurman, is a mixed group of skilled singers who bring thoughtful and rich performances. . . there are glorious sounds here. . . .”
– Sound Advice

“As a freelance professional singer in New York City, I look forward to opportunities to work with Judy Clurman and her Essential Voices USA. Judy has quite a knack for blending amateurs, professionals, and superstars together to produce top-notch concerts, workshops, and recordings.”
– EVUSA Member