Reena Esmail Can See the Future: Washington Post  

Big news for our Swan Family Artist-in-Residence Reena Esmail: The Washington Post recognized her as one of music’s young bright lights in its article “21 for '21: Composers and Performers Who Sound Like Tomorrow”. Post music critic Michael Andor Brodeur selected Reena and the others for their “exciting ways of imagining what our future together sounds like.”  

Also on Brodeur’s list was Derrick Spiva, Jr., whose “Ready, Bright” will receive its world premiere at our GALA 2021, held online on May 16. The piece, which was commissioned by the Master Chorale, will be one of a triptych of virtual choir performances that will include music by Meredith Monk and Reena.  

Thou Shalt Covet The Sacred Veil  

In her end-of-year round-up of the year’s best recordings, Julie Amacher of Classical MPR’s New Classical Tracks named the Master Chorale’s The Sacred Veil as her most coveted of the year. 

Opera News was similarly impressed with our recording of Eric Whitacre’s oratorio: it received their coveted Critic’s Choice designation as part of a recent review (subscription required).