Our Name, Vox Camerata.

We named ourselves after the Florentine Camerata in the simple spirit that we are simply people coming from all walks of lives to discuss and learn more about the melodious delights our voices can actually create.  Some knew nothing about singing, except for the days of music classes back in primary school; others have varied experiences in choirs at various levels or just plainly enjoy belting out the occasional song in a karaoke bar. In a nutshell, we've all been drawn like a moth to a candleflame, in our weekly discovery of the simple delight, of making music.

The Camerata originated from a group of humanists, musicians, poets and intellectuals in late RenaissanceFlorence that gathered under the patronage of Count Giovanni de Bardi to discuss and guide trends in the arts, especially music and drama. They met mainly from about 1573 until the late 1580s, at the house of Bardi. Known members of the group besides Bardi included Giulio Caccini, Pietro Strozzi, and Vincenzo Galilei (the father of the astronomer Galileo Galilei).

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Founded by its former artistic director Shahril, Vox was established with a mission; to make choral music accessible to anyone who is keen on making choral music, regardless of their musical knowledge and background.

Vox Camerata, has, since its inception, organized and participated in numerous performances. Its maiden recital was held in November 2004 at the function room of the Kg. Ubi Community Center. Since then, Vox has gone one to bring its annual Musica Intimœ series of concerts to the Legends@Fort Canning, as well as the Esplanade Recital Studio.

Apart from regular recitals, Vox Camerata also performs in various collaborations with other organizations, as well as guest performs in various events. Vox Camerata has previously collaborated with St. Margaret's Secondary School in the musical 'Anne of Green Gables' which was performed at the University Cultural Centre. Vox Camerata also had had the opportunity to work with the Singapore Police Force Band and Choir in the SPF Band's 80 th anniversary concert held at the Esplanade Concert Hall. It has also been invited to guest perform at the gala dinner organized by Australian Alumni Association in 2005, and of late, the 'Rock Opera' organized by IMG Productions which was part of the PopAgenda during the Singapore Arts Festival at the Esplanade Theatre. Christmas caroling is also a prominent feature in Vox' annual itinerary, having the honour to guest perform at the Asian Civilization's Museum in December 2005, and at the German School in November 2007.

Despite the new ground Vox Camerata breaks into, and the higher standards it sets for its performers, it remains as a non-auditioned community vocal ensemble, taking in everyone and anyone with a passion for singing. It remains true to its original calling - to allow the regular person, regardless of their prior musical knowledge and experiences,   to experience the joys of choral singing, and to inculcate an appreciation for choral music amongst the audience here in Singapore. Rehearsals at Vox Camerata are never a boring occasion, the spirit of camaraderie being evident among the members of Vox Camerata, not only in rehearsals, but even in between. We are not merely a group of singers trying to forge an existence in Singapore, rather, we are a group of friends who happen to sing together and who enjoy making music together. In that lies the true essence that is Vox Camerata.