Celebrating Women’s Choral Compositions

Concentus (con-CHEN-tus) from the Latin meaning “singing together, harmony”

Founded in 2000 by conductors Edna Yeh and Gwendolyn Gassler, the Concentus Women’s Chorus is devoted to exploring the wide variety of classical music, ranging from medieval chant through contemporary compositions, written specifically for women’s voices. Ensemble members are experienced singers and are expected to share a commitment to lifelong learning as musicians.

In addition to yearly full length concert presentations each year, Concentus performs at special events in the Greater Rochester and Central New York area. Recent highlights have included participation in the Bi-annual Choral Prism Concert (sponsored by the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium), and three performances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, a special, featured performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets with Penfield Symphony Orchestra, and a collaboration with the Buffalo Girls Choir at Babeville in Buffalo, NY. Concentus regularly premiers, and has also commissioned the composition of music specific for women’s voices, including Deanna Witkowski’s work, “And I heard her name was Proverb.”

Weekly rehearsals (September–May) are held Sunday evenings from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Pittsford, NY. Auditions are held before each season commences, and by appointment as needed at other times of the year. Learn how you can join us.

Concentus is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and a member of the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium.

Mission

• To cultivate, promote, and develop an appreciation and understanding of choral music written for women through performance and discussion.
• To discover, study and perform women’s choral music from a diversity of musical eras and in a diversity of styles.
• To engage with the community to promote our common interest in classical choral music and add our collective voice wherever it serves.