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Debra Poulter founded the Phoenix Quartet in 2002 to explore the vast vocal quartet repertoire and bring it to the public in unique settings and innovative formats. She envisioned a three-fold mission: performing music composed or arranged for vocal quartet, commissioning new music for vocal quartet and educating and reaching out to audiences of all ages. The Phoenix Quartet initiated the first part of its mission in fundraising soirees that successfully introduced a diverse group of listeners to the musical and dramatic possibilities of vocal quartet repertoire. In this venue, the ensemble developed an intimate performance style that it has successfully transferred to larger venues.
In 2003, the Phoenix Quartet made its official New York City Debut, in a concert at Bargemusic and followed its success there with a performance on the Christ Chapel Chamber Series of The Riverside Church in New York City. The following year, the Quartet performed Copland’s Old American Songs with the Hudson Valley Wind Symphony and continued its intimate soiree series, expanding its repertoire to include ensembles from contemporary American chamber operas and musicals.
The Phoenix Quartet reached a major milestone in 2004, when it premiered its first commissioned work for vocal quartet, Ascension, with words and music by Richard Pearson Thomas. Soon after, Phoenix premiered a second commissioned work: Four Negro Spirituals arranged by K. Scott Warren.
May, 2005 saw Phoenix back in a return engagement at Riverside Church. The Quartet also performed on the Trinity Wall Street Concerts at One series and on the South Country Concerts series in Bellport, New York. Other highlights included a debut performance of Theodore Wiprud's The Open Door at a soiree concert in March as well as a return engagement at Riverside Church in June 2006. This concert, Songs of War and Peace, included works written especially for Phoenix by Paul Stephan and K. Scott Warren, A Sentimental Journey, a medley arranged for the quartet by David Root and Richard Pearson Thomas and additional original music by Mr. Thomas. Phoenix also developed a winter holiday program adaptable for corporate or private functions which continues to provide cheer at numerous holiday celebrations each December.
In 2007, the Quartet repeated the Songs of War and Peace program at a number of venues, including the Park Avenue United Methodist Church’s Second Sunday Series. This program included the premier of The Three Mystical Choruses by Theodore Wiprud as well as a rousing rendition of When Johnny Comes Marching Home, arranged especially for Phoenix by Mr. Thomas. In November, the Quartet premiered a new program, Fairy Tales & Lullabies, a whimsical and varied program of music from Strauss to Billy Joel, including original music and arrangements by many composer friends.
For information about our more recent performances, please see our "Latest News" page.
The Phoenix Quartet
The Phoenix Quartet is dedicated to
...performing music composed or arranged for vocal quartet
...commissioning new music for vocal quartet
...conducting educational outreach.
Vocal music is an especially powerful form of communication that can encourage a better understanding of the struggles and achievements that define people and can develop values that sustain people in life’s experiences. It has a unique power to create community. Throughout its rich cultural history and directly because of its melding of poetry and music, vocal music has had a place in all celebrations of life - to herald new life, mourn the passing of life, mark holidays, and to explore the human condition.
For repertoire and booking information, please contact Debra Poulter, Artistic Director
Phoenix Quartet
(212) 222-2064 or click here
The Phoenix Quartet is proud to be a member of
Chamber Music America
The Phoenix Quartet is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation and donations are tax-deductible as determined by law.
The Phoenix Quartet Mission
The Phoenix Quartet believes that song, with its melding of poetry and music, creates community and celebrates life. We are dedicated to enriching audiences by performing music composed or arranged for the vocal quartet, commissioning new music for vocal quartet, and conducting educational outreach.
