Conducting Change for Rachmaninoff Vespers Performance

Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE), the city's premier professional choral ensemble, announces a conducting change for the upcoming performance of Rachmaninoff's Vespers on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Memorial Hall. The original conductor for this program, VAE Music Director, Craig Hella Johnson, is unable to conduct due to illness.

In his absence Johnson has called upon one of his colleagues, Elena Sharkova, to take his place as conductor for the performance. Currently, in her 17th year as Music Director of Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale, Ms. Sharkova is recognized nationally and internationally as an influential conductor, clinician, music educator, and lecturer. She is also a passionate proponent of Russian choral music and has lectured extensively on the subject, having conducted multiple premieres of Russian works across the United States.

Well-acquainted with the piece and history behind Vespers, she is an excellent addition to this evening performance, and we are looking forward to having her in Cincinnati leading the Vocal Arts Ensemble.

For tickets and information on the concert, please visit vaecinci.org

Russian-American conductor Elena Sharkova is recognized nationally and internationally as an inspirational and versatile conductor, clinician, music educator, and lecturer. She has conducted professional, university, youth, and community choirs and orchestras in seventeen countries across North America, Asia, Eastern and Western Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, and has served as jury member at national and international music festivals and competitions. View her full bio here: http://www.mcp.us/elena-sharkova

The Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE) is Greater Cincinnati's premier professional vocal ensemble dedicated to presenting passionate and innovative performances of choral music that raise and nurture the public's appreciation of the life-enriching qualities of the choral arts.

VAE fulfills a unique niche in the region as a professional chamber choir with exceptional artistic quality, a creative balance of traditional yet innovative programming, and intimate performances of unparalleled precision and virtuosity. This dynamic artistic activity contributes to the quality of life in Cincinnati for both performers and audience members alike, and VAE plays an integral role in the cultural landscape of Greater Cincinnati.

Founded in 1979, for 38 years VAE has brought the power of spectacular choral chamber music to audiences of all generations in distinguished architectural and acoustic venues throughout the region.

VAE has enjoyed artistic leadership by some of the nation's leaders in choral conducting; Grammy winner/six-time nominee Craig Hella Johnson currently leads the talented and dynamic core of 24 (and full roster of 51) members. Praised for his visionary approach, Johnson is considered one of the most influential voices in choral music in the US today. Over the years, creative collaborations have resulted in unique productions and reached diverse audiences.