Vox Femina - women's chorus Los Angeles

In January 1997, under the artistic direction of Dr. Iris S. Levine, twenty-one women selected by audition came together to form Vox Femina Los Angeles. The ensemble debuted at the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles' concert to an enthusiastic audience. Since their inaugural season, VFLA has been invited to sing at many prestigious community events including the International Association of Women in Music International Conference; the Greater Los Angeles Coalition for Reproductive Rights anniversary celebration of Roe v. Wade; Women's Night '98 (benefiting women's services at The Center); ONE Institute's Celebration of Jim Kepner's Life and 50 Years of Gay and Lesbian Movement; and the Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration. In March 2000, VFLA received a standing ovation for their performance at the American Choral Directors Association's Western Division Convention.

Discography

Still I Rise

Los Angeles' 31-strong women's ensemble Vox Femina blew us away with their 2002 debut album "Simply," and we have waited a long time to be able to hold CD #2 in our hot little hands. "Still I Rise," directed by Dr. Iris S. Levine and accompanied by Lisa Edwards on piano, celebrates Vox Femina's 10^th anniversary season, highlighting the best of Vox's live performances. The 15 very different songs share fine arranging, flawless performances, and the exciting fact that they are live recordings. The rhythmic opening cut "Odi Odi," the spiritual "Deep River," Hildegard von Bingen and Roger Bourland's "O viridissima virga/Both Page and Pen;" Debussy's "Salut Printemps;" Ysaye M. Barnwell's lovely "Breaths;" Roy Brown's "Sky Dances;" Stuart Stotts' "Music in My Mother's House," Holly Near's "Imagine my Surprise;" Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's "At the Ballet" and the title tune by Rosephanye Powell are some favorites. But Vox is very special group of women, a bridge-building group, and each of these songs needs to be listened to, appreciated and savored. Besides piano, you might hear some flute, drums, bass, guitar, oboe and zils. Exquisite!

Simply

The 30 talented women of Vox Femina LA, directed by Dr. Iris S. Levine, went into the recording studio in July, 2002 to record repertoire from their first 5 seasons, showcasing two new commissions: "The Tolerance Project" and "Alarcon Madrigals, Book II." Founded in 1997, VFLA is a women's choral ensemble dedicated to the performance of quality choral literature with an emphasis on music by women composers. They are a family of diverse women who are lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual. This CD is in 3 parts, 8 songs from "Miniatures of Kin," 11 songs in "Alarcon Madrigals, Book II, and 3 from "The Tolerance Project," based on the poetry of LA high school students. All songs are lightly piano accompanied. Particularly nice are the opening cut, "The Gathering," the traditional "The Water is Wide," the Serbian folk tune "Niska Banja," "Wood River," "Both Page and Pen," "Another Language," "Totally Exposed," "Warrior," Holly Near's "Simply Love," "I Come From Good People," and "I Love A Rainbow." The extensive liner notes include all the touching, poignant and joyous lyrics. "SimplyŠ" is a gift.

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