Virginia Arts Festival celebrates the holiday season with truly joyful noise, presenting the GRAMMY-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 in Norfolk, Williamsburg and Richmond this December. Hailed by Gramophone magazine for their “impeccable quality of tone and balance” and “meticulous timing and tuning,” this critically acclaimed group brings “a perfect blend of calm contentment and soaring spirit” (The Independent, UK) to the season. 

With a centuries-spanning repertoire and eight vocalists possessing extraordinary vocal gifts, VOCES8 has performed around the world to rave reviews like this one from BBC Music Magazine - “Gorgeous sound. Hearing them sing is a joy.” They have lent their signature sound to music of all kinds, from a collaboration with Paul Simon to performances with the great orchestras of the world. 

“This is one of the most exalting, moving, and glorious sounds I’ve ever experienced,” said Virginia Arts Festival Perry Artistic Director Robert W. Cross. “Each of the churches where we will present these holiday performances adds architectural beauty and rich history to these celebratory performances.”      

VOCES8
Tuesday, December 16 - Christ & St. Luke's Church, Norfolk
Wednesday, December 17 - St. Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg
Thursday, December 18 - River Road Church, Baptist, Richmond

As a special benefit to Virginia Arts Festival Donors, tickets are available September 3. Tickets go on sale to the public September 5. Visit vafest.org, call 757-282-2822, or buy in-person at the Festival Ticket Office, 440 Bank St, Norfolk (Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm).

About Virginia Arts Festival
The largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, Virginia Arts Festival has transformed the region's cultural scene, presenting great performers from around the world and making this historic region a cultural destination for visitors from across the United States and around the world.  Artist-led, Virginia Arts Festival places artistic excellence above all.  The Festival's artistic leadership includes Robert W. Cross, the Festival's Executive Director / Perry Artistic Director and a Grammy Award-winning percussionist; Olga Kern, the Festival's Connie and Marc Jacobson Director of Chamber Music and a Van Cliburn Gold Medal-awarded pianist; and Tony award-winning Broadway music director Rob Fisher is the Goode Family Director of Music Theater and American Songbook. Renowned vocal artists who have performed at the Festival include Renée Fleming, Kristin Chenoweth, Brooke Shields, Kelli O’Hara, Vienna Boys Choir, The King’s Singers, The Tallis Scholars, Voces8, Soweto Gospel Choir. The festival has presented numerous world premieres and new productions of classical music, dance, and theatre from some of today’s most influential composers, choreographers and playwrights. Each season, performances from the Virginia Arts Festival are broadcast nationwide on American Public Radio’s Performance Today. The festival’s arts education programs reach tens of thousands of schoolchildren each year through student matinees, in-school performances, artist residencies, master classes and demonstrations.

VAF Media Contact:
Alli Pereira
apereira@vafest.org
757-282-2804