| Who are we? |
The Countertop Ensemble was formed in 2005, beginning as a Quartet, to
perform music for upper voices, primarily with two sopranos and two
countertenors. In 2008, artistic director Chris Dudley, expanded the group
into an ensemble with 8 singers, while also maintaining its original core.
Concerts with Countertop now allow listeners to not only hear the full
ensemble, but the smaller aspects of the group too, with the quartet of
sopranos and countertenors, and the consort, involving the countertenors,
tenors and basses.
Countertop now delights audiences with their varied and exciting
performances throughout the year. They do not specify the performance of
one genre though. Each year, at the Modern Voices concert, Countertop
performs modern music, sometimes by local composers and often performs
King's Singer's arrangements or barbershop music.
Since becoming an ensemble, Countertop has received several critically
acclaimed reviews from the Washington Post for its "fine singers who blend
and balance..." from Joan Reinthaler (2008) and its "consistently beautiful
performance...because of their exotic inscrutability..." from Charles T.
Downey (2009). In May 2010, The Ensemble joined with the Orchestra of
the seventeenth century, to perform the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610.
perform music for upper voices, primarily with two sopranos and two
countertenors. In 2008, artistic director Chris Dudley, expanded the group
into an ensemble with 8 singers, while also maintaining its original core.
Concerts with Countertop now allow listeners to not only hear the full
ensemble, but the smaller aspects of the group too, with the quartet of
sopranos and countertenors, and the consort, involving the countertenors,
tenors and basses.
Countertop now delights audiences with their varied and exciting
performances throughout the year. They do not specify the performance of
one genre though. Each year, at the Modern Voices concert, Countertop
performs modern music, sometimes by local composers and often performs
King's Singer's arrangements or barbershop music.
Since becoming an ensemble, Countertop has received several critically
acclaimed reviews from the Washington Post for its "fine singers who blend
and balance..." from Joan Reinthaler (2008) and its "consistently beautiful
performance...because of their exotic inscrutability..." from Charles T.
Downey (2009). In May 2010, The Ensemble joined with the Orchestra of
the seventeenth century, to perform the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610.
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The Countertop Ensemble has been invited to perform Bolivian Baroque music
in Bolivia during the summer of 2012, followed by a Bolivian Baroque Music
Festival, sponsored and led by the Smithsonian Institution.
In February 2012, the ensemble will tour the East Coast, stopping in Norfolk,
Williamsburg & the College of William and Mary, the University of Tampa,
Florida, and many other locations.
Originally, the founded group was named The Countertop Quartet. The name
was more of a clever play on words. There were two countertenors and two
sopranos in the quartet. The Counter (in the name) refers to the two
countertenors, and the top (also in the name) refers to the two top parts.
In addition to remembering our innovative sound, people also go away
remembering our unusual name.
Even though we now have a full ensemble of sopranos, countertenors, tenors
and basses, it was decided that we keep the original name of Countertop.
in Bolivia during the summer of 2012, followed by a Bolivian Baroque Music
Festival, sponsored and led by the Smithsonian Institution.
In February 2012, the ensemble will tour the East Coast, stopping in Norfolk,
Williamsburg & the College of William and Mary, the University of Tampa,
Florida, and many other locations.
Originally, the founded group was named The Countertop Quartet. The name
was more of a clever play on words. There were two countertenors and two
sopranos in the quartet. The Counter (in the name) refers to the two
countertenors, and the top (also in the name) refers to the two top parts.
In addition to remembering our innovative sound, people also go away
remembering our unusual name.
Even though we now have a full ensemble of sopranos, countertenors, tenors
and basses, it was decided that we keep the original name of Countertop.