Rising LYYRA

• 1 The Hymn of Acxiom 03:36
• 2 Caritas abundat 03:47
• 3 Dusk in June, Op. 82 02:38
• 4 Moonrise 03:46
• 5 A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square 04:08
• 6 Will the Circle Be Unbroken 02:25
• 7 Rise Up My Love 03:56
• 8 She 05:25
• 9 What Was I Made For? 03:41
• 10 Dark Out of the Night 04:22
• 11 Someday We'll All Be Free 03:25
• 12 America 05:10
• Total Runtime 46:19

Info for Rising

Lyyra is the new all-women’s vocal ensemble from The VOCES8 Foundation and is based in the USA. Creating world-class musical experiences to inspire audiences, Lyyra seeks to redefine the genre of upper voice music in the choral landscape, highlighting the astonishing capabilities within the full spectrum of women’s singing. The sound of this bright, young group combines velvety richness alongside starlike brilliance. With a broad texture and exhilarating range of sound, the group’s talented members specialize in classical, jazz, pop, and folk music from diverse traditions and backgrounds.

Formed by The VOCES8 Foundation, Lyyra – made up of the six bright singers Anna Crumley, MaryRuth Miller, Elizabeth Tait, Aryssa Leigh Burrs, Ingrid Johnson, and Cecille Elliott – takes its name from the constellation of stars in homage to Orpheus’s lyre in Greek mythology. The group comes from diverse traditions and backgrounds in classical, jazz, pop, and folk, which is represented in their repertoire that spans genres and decades. Risingbrilliantly exhibits Lyyra’s full, exhilarating spectrum of women’s vocal artistry; the multi-genred album forms a constellation of connections between time periods – from medieval to modern – and features brand new compositions and arrangements.

“As a newly formed ensemble, our road has been full of uncertainty and incredible growth. Along the way, we’ve found deep community through music,” shares the ensemble. “This recording is a reflection of that journey, and of the powerful connection we’ve built. Our album is an ode to hope and togetherness.”

The album’s opening song, “The Hymn of Acxiom” by singer-songwriter Vienna Teng, muses on a modern concern, humanity in the digital age, through an ethereal harmonization that is magically ambiguous of era. This flows into the album’s oldest selection, 12th-century composer Hildegard von Bingen’s “Caritas abundat” (“love abounds”), a step back in time that feels soulfully seamless. Other highlights include the colorful “Dusk in June” by late-Romantic American composer Amy Beach; the romantic standard "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square"; the traditional Appalachian folk song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” in rich gospel style; Donny Hathaway’s 1973 single “Someday We'll All Be Free”, a moving expression of the singer’s struggle with a mental disorder that has since grown into a deeper ode to resilience; and Simon & Garfunkel’s “America”, two lovers’ quest for meaning across the United States. Lyyra also offers a nod to one of recent years’ most iconic celebrations of womanhood with Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”, from the 2023 Barbie movie.

Reflective of music, harmony, and the night sky, Lyyra takes its name from the constellation that represents Orpheus’s famed lyre. Lyyra is Anna Crumley, MaryRuth Miller, Elizabeth Tait, Aryssa Leigh Burrs, Ingrid Johnson, and Cecille Elliott. Lyyra’s Creative Director is Erik Jacobson.

Lyyra

LYYRA
New ensemble Lyyra looks set to reach a glittering place in choral music’s constellation – it was created by The VOCES8 Foundation to build support and visibility for upper voices and their potential. The group’s sound combines velvety richness alongside starlike brilliance. With a broad texture and exhilarating range of sound, the group’s members specialize in classical, jazz, pop, and folk music from diverse traditions and backgrounds. Lyyra is the only professional six-voice women’s a cappella group in the US.

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston plays host to Lyyra’s debut concert on February 16, 2024. The group’s launch day will also be marked by the release of its debut video single “When The Earth Stands Still” by Don Macdonald and the world premiere performance of “More Love,” written for Lyyra by Taylor Scott Davis.

Lyyra joins colleagues VOCES8 to perform at the American Choral Directors Association conference in Providence later in February before setting off on its first US tour in April. Preceded by single and video releases, including works arranged for Lyyra by its own members, Lyyra releases its debut EP, More Love, on May 10 in time for Mother’s Day.

Reflective of music, harmony and the night sky, Lyyra takes its name from the constellation that represents Orpheus’ famed lyre. Formed of six exceptional women, Lyyra seeks to redefine what is possible for upper voices in this genre, and to extend The VOCES8 Foundation’s global mission to deliver world-beating concert experiences alongside integrated learning and participation work. Lyyra delivers inspirational, uplifting, dynamic performances and has the desire to make change in the world.

Booklet for Rising