| Who are we? |
The Countertop Quartet was formed in the summer of 2004 when four
friends, all professional singers living in Washington DC at the time, realized
that their combination of voices – two countertenors, a female alto/mezzo-
soprano, and a female soprano – was one with a very unique sound. They
began to explore the repertoire of music for upper voices and delighted
concert audiences with their uncommon blend and unusual voicings.
friends, all professional singers living in Washington DC at the time, realized
that their combination of voices – two countertenors, a female alto/mezzo-
soprano, and a female soprano – was one with a very unique sound. They
began to explore the repertoire of music for upper voices and delighted
concert audiences with their uncommon blend and unusual voicings.
| What does the name mean? |
Being that there are only upper voices in this quartet, the name fits almost
perfectly. There are two countertenors, a mezzo and a soprano in the
quartet. The "Counter" refers to the two countertenors, and the "top" refers
to the two top parts, a.k.a the soprano and mezzo. In addition to
remembering our innovative sound, people also go away remembering our
unusual name.
perfectly. There are two countertenors, a mezzo and a soprano in the
quartet. The "Counter" refers to the two countertenors, and the "top" refers
to the two top parts, a.k.a the soprano and mezzo. In addition to
remembering our innovative sound, people also go away remembering our
unusual name.
| What is the mission of the Countertop Quartet? |
It is the mission of The Countertop Quartet to research, study, prepare,
perform and record music specifically written for upper voices within a mixed
gender ensemble of at least two male altos and two female upper voices; to
bring excellent performances to audiences in the Washington, DC
metropolitan area and in other suitable locations on tour.
perform and record music specifically written for upper voices within a mixed
gender ensemble of at least two male altos and two female upper voices; to
bring excellent performances to audiences in the Washington, DC
metropolitan area and in other suitable locations on tour.
| If you need to call us: (866)364-6418 |
The Countertop Quartet expanded in September 2008. We added some Tenors and Basses.
Now there are three groups. They are:
The Countertop Quartet
This name you are already aware of - and we will continue to specialise in upper voiced
music, covering all the centuries.
The Countertop Consort
This is a group that will specialize in lower-voice music, men only, Countertenors, Tenors
and Basses. This will give us the opportunity to perform much of the Baroque and
Renaissance music that was originabally written for men.
The Countertop Ensemble,
The all-encompassing group containing all the singers. Here we can perform larger,
sometimes two-choir, great music.
Now there are three groups. They are:
The Countertop Quartet
This name you are already aware of - and we will continue to specialise in upper voiced
music, covering all the centuries.
The Countertop Consort
This is a group that will specialize in lower-voice music, men only, Countertenors, Tenors
and Basses. This will give us the opportunity to perform much of the Baroque and
Renaissance music that was originabally written for men.
The Countertop Ensemble,
The all-encompassing group containing all the singers. Here we can perform larger,
sometimes two-choir, great music.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Ensemble is in its first full year under the direction of Chris Dudley. They have been rewarded
with several critical acclaimed reviews by the Washington Post.
In the 2009/2010 season, the Ensemble will perform its 'Modern Voices' concert and also the
Monteverdi Vespers. The Ensemble has also been invited out to Bolivia in August 2010 to perform
Bolivian Baroque Music and appear on a documentary about Bolivian Baroque Treasures.
The Ensemble heads down to Norfolk, VA in the Fall to perform with the Norfolk Chamber Consort
and in 2011, be off on Tour down the East Coast.
with several critical acclaimed reviews by the Washington Post.
In the 2009/2010 season, the Ensemble will perform its 'Modern Voices' concert and also the
Monteverdi Vespers. The Ensemble has also been invited out to Bolivia in August 2010 to perform
Bolivian Baroque Music and appear on a documentary about Bolivian Baroque Treasures.
The Ensemble heads down to Norfolk, VA in the Fall to perform with the Norfolk Chamber Consort
and in 2011, be off on Tour down the East Coast.