Page 176 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Western Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 San Jose, California

Headliners/Opening Night Concert

Headliners Lyyra

Chanticleer

Lyyra is the new all-women vocal ensemble from
The VOCES8 Foundation and is based in the United
States. Lyyra records exclusively for Warner Classics.
Known around the world for its eclectic repertoire Creating world-class musical experiences to inspire
and dazzling virtuosity, the Grammy Award-winning audiences, Lyyra seeks to redefine the genre of up-
vocal ensemble Chanticleer—under the leadership of per voice music in the choral landscape, highlighting
Music Director Tim Keeler—has been hailed by the the astonishing capabilities within the full spectrum
Boston Globe as “breathtaking in its accuracy of intona- of women’s singing. The sound of this bright, young
tion, purity of blend, of color and swagger of style.” group combines velvety richness alongside star-like
Founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musi- brilliance. With a broad texture and exhilarating range
cologist Louis Botto, Chanticleer quickly took its place of sound, the group’s talented members specialize in
as one of the most prolific recording and touring en- classical, jazz, pop, and folk music from diverse tradi-
sembles in the world, an “orchestra of voices” perform- tions and backgrounds. Lyyra tours both at home in
ing thousands of live concerts and selling more than the United States and internationally. The group gave
one million recordings. Rooted in the Renaissance, its debut performances in 2024, including ACDA, and
Chanticleer’s repertoire has expanded to include classi- released its debut EP More Love on the VOCES8 label.
cal, gospel, jazz, and popular music, and the group per- Lyyra is Anna Crumley, MaryRuth Miller, Elizabeth
forms its beloved “A Chanticleer Christmas” program Tait, Aryssa Leigh Burrs, Ingrid Johnson, and Cecille
on tour every December. A new Christmas album, Joy Elliott. Lyyra’s creative director is Erik Jacobson.
to the World, released in fall 2025. The group is the re-
cipient of Chorus America’s Dale Warland Commis-
sion Award and the Chorus America/ASCAP Award Opening Night Concert:
for Adventurous Programming.
Collegiate Consortium

The Western ACDA Region Conference will open
with the debut performance of the Collegiate Consor-
tium, an honor chorus bringing together singers from
northern California colleges and universities. Under

174 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5