Symphonic Choir

we sing jubilation.

The Conspirare Symphonic Choir, established in 2000, is an auditioned, hundred-voice chorus of both professional and volunteer singers. Most reside in the Austin area, though several commute to rehearsals and performances from as far away as the Hill Country, San Antonio, and Victoria. All are highly skilled singers with significant previous choral experience.

Led by Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson, the ensemble carries on the great oratorio tradition of epic choral storytelling. The dedicated Symphonic Choir singers are collaborative artists who sing the greatest choral masterworks with orchestra as well as new works for voices and instruments. They participate regularly in Conspirare outreach programs and serve as singing hosts for Conspirare’s popular Big Sings.

The Symphonic Choir performs large choral-orchestral works annually in Austin and other cities as part of the Conspirare season, and collaborates frequently with other major arts organizations such as the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Austin, and Victoria Bach Festival. The choir has won several Austin Critics Table Awards, most recently for performances of Verdi’s Requiem in 2008 and Cary Ratcliff’s Ode to Common Things with the Austin Symphony in 2009.

Michelle Barrientes, Featured Singer of the Month

Michelle Barrientes earned a bachelor’s degree in choral music studies from the University of Texas at Austin and will graduate with a master’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas in May 2012.

Michelle is currently Head Choir Director at Lamar Middle School Fine Arts Academy in Austin, TX. She was named AISD’s Campus Teacher of the Year in 2008 and has also been named Teacher of the Week by KXAN News. The Lamar choirs have earned numerous awards and recognitions: superior ratings at the annual UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest; superior ratings in the Schlitterbahn Soundwaves Competition; and superior ratings and Best-in-Class ratings at the Music Choice Festival in San Antonio, TX. The choirs have performed at the Texas State Capitol as well as in Washington D.C. and have received a proclamation from former Austin mayor Will Wynn.

This is Michelle’s 5th year in Conspirare where she sings alto. She is grateful for the many opportunities to sing beautiful and challenging music and to collaborate with the many talented members.

previously featured singers