PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts Project presents House Blend on Saturday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds will be shared to benefit both Next Stage and House Blend, as the group prepares for its upcoming tour in France.
House Blend is a self-led a cappella chorus of experienced singers dedicated to the music of many cultures and traditions. Based in Saxtons River, the group is committed to sharing the joy of their music with the audience and to excellence in their performances, which include local concerts, benefits, and international exchanges.
Formed in 2006, House Blend is an assembly of 23 veteran singers from Vermont and New Hampshire devoted to the collective exploration of a cappella songs drawn from around the world in diverse historical settings. A democratically governed party of self-professed singing addicts, the “Blenders” look to the artistic direction of all of the members to guide the group, creating a harmonious brew that reflects their diverse musical backgrounds.
Coming together from differing walks of life undoubtedly influences the creative energy of this ensemble; their occupations include music and classroom teachers, carpenter, airline pilot, telecommunication manager, instrumentalists, theater composer, library media specialist, psychologist, social worker, therapist, professor of world language and environmental engineering and a web designer.
Together they share a profound love of music and an abundance of talent. Their diverse repertoire includes songs from American folk traditions such as spirituals, soulful gospel numbers, hill songs of Appalachia, and jazz, as well as lush Italian and Spanish ballads, work songs from the Republic of Georgia, South African freedom songs, village music of Italy, France, Quebec, as well as Renaissance madrigals, Jewish choral tradition, contemporary Latin chant and Bach.