VOCES8 Foundation launches new ensemble

Choral music education charity the VOCES8 Foundation has today launched its latest project, a new six-voice women’s a cappella ensemble Lyyra. With the release of the group’s debut single and premiere concert performance this afternoon, Lyyra aims to make its mark as the only professional six-voice women’s a cappella group in the US.

Today’s launch is the result of a global audition process for the group, which started with open-calls in May 2023 and live auditions in September. The group’s debut recording, When The Earth Stands Still was composed by Don Macdonald in 2017, and is the first single from the Lyyra’s debut EP More Love, which is due for release on 10 May.

With members specialising in classical, jazz, pop, and folk music from diverse traditions and backgrounds, the group will give its debut performance at a concert on 16 February 2024 at St Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston before setting off on its first US tour in April 2024. The performance will also include the world premiere of the Lyyra’s debut album’s title track More Love.

Lyyra is named after the star system which represents Orpheus’ famed lyre and was created to build support and visibility for upper voices. The ensemble, which is made up of MaryRuth Miller, Anna Crumley, Shabnam Abedi, Elizabeth Tait, Aryssa Leigh Burrs and Deborah Stephens, is managed and supported by The VOCES8 Foundation team and its creative director is Erik Jacobson for the VOCES8 Foundation USA.