Zenith Ensemble - Directed by Matthew Leese

03/24/2026

Zenith community singers got together to do some early prep work for the Monteverdi Vespers concert scheduled for June 27th here in Keene! Thanks to Keene State College for providing a great rehearsal venue!

03/21/2026

Tickets for Zenith Ensemble's performance of Monteverdi "Vespers" are now available! Reserved seating in front and back of house available - purchase now to get the best seat!

vespers instruments

Avaloch Farm Residency and concerts of Byrd, Duruflé, Poulenc and Messiaen in Colchester, VT, Keene NH and Manchester, NH. Collaborations with Mt Mansfield Union HS in Vermont and Cecilia Ensemble in New Hampshire.

03/13/2026

Zenith Ensemble is preparing a June performance of Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, presented with period instruments and a collaboration of professional and community musicians.

We’re looking for supporters to help bring this incredible project to life!

🎶 Chamber Ensemble Sponsor – $500
🎶 Project Donor – $250

If you’d like to be part of making this project possible, please message us or reach out to learn more. Thank you for supporting live music in our community!

02/19/2026

Our first Mardi Gras event was enjoyed by attendees. Thanks to Joe Darby for presenting and to our board for providing some delicious food for our guests!

01/22/2026

Last call for singer auditions for the Monteverdi Project being held on January 31st - please send an email to [email protected] if interested in auditioning and we will find you a slot!

This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians and experience one of the most remarkable masterpieces of the choral repertoire.

In June 2026, we will present Claudio Monteverdi’s groundbreaking Vespro della Beata Vergine (1610) performed with orchestra on period instruments under the direction of Matthew Leese and concertmaster Marika Holmqvist.
Audtions will be held on January 31st, 2026. The location of the audition will be Keene State College, Redfern Arts Center, room (215).
Rehearsal dates are as follows:
May 11th (Monday)
June 1 (Monday)
June 24 (Wednesday)
Concert weekend:
June 25, 26, 27 (Thursday/Friday/Saturday)
Before applying to audition, please check the above schedule ensure that you are able to attend ALL planned rehearsals. Given the nature of this music, we need everyone who is accepted to be fully committed to the project.
All auditioning singers will:
A) perform excerpts from the following specific movements and
😎 sight-read their preferred vocal part of another movement from the Vespers
ALL SOPRANOS
Nisi Dominus (Sextus line)
ALL ALTOS
Nisi Dominus (Altus [1] line)
ALL TENORS
Laetatus Sum (Tenor line)
ALL BASSES
Laetatus Sum (Bass line)
If you are interested in auditioning, send an email to [email protected] and we'll schedule a time for you!

01/17/2026

We still have a few slots open for interested singers! Sign up to audition for our Monteverdi project!

Zenith Ensemble is thrilled to announce auditions for community singers who would like to join us in an extraordinary musical event this coming year. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians and experience one of the most remarkable masterpieces of the choral repertoire.

These auditions are for Zenith Community Singers and Zenith Scholars in consideration for the Monteverdi Vespers performance, June 2026.

In June 2026, we will present Claudio Monteverdi’s groundbreaking Vespro della Beata Vergine (1610) performed with orchestra on period instruments under the direction of Matthew Leese and concertmaster Marika Holmqvist.

Audtions will be held on January 31st, 2026 and will be conducted by Melly Hughes & Vladimir Odinokikh. The location of the audition will be Keene State College, Redfern Arts Center, room (215).

Rehearsal dates are as follows:
May 11th (Monday)
June 1 (Monday)
June 24 (Wednesday)
Concert weekend:
June 25, 26, 27 (Thursday/Friday/Saturday)

Before applying to audition, please check the above schedule ensure that you are able to attend ALL planned rehearsals. Given the nature of this music, we need everyone who is accepted to be fully committed to the project.

All auditioning singers will:
A) perform excerpts from the following specific movements and
😎 sight-read their preferred vocal part of another movement from the Vespers
ALL SOPRANOS
Nisi Dominus (Sextus line)
ALL ALTOS
Nisi Dominus (Altus [1] line)
ALL TENORS
Laetatus Sum (Tenor line)
ALL BASSES
Laetatus Sum (Bass line)

If you are interested in auditioning, please sign up through the google calendar link here - and click ‘next bookable date’, which should take you to Jan 31st and show you the available slots.

https://calendar.app.google/fqqR4pvzFmasJHCcnst

12/13/2025

‘Ave Verum Corpus’ by New Zealand composer David Hamilton, recorded live in Keene New Hampshire June 2025 For more of David’s music visit https://youtube.com/

12/03/2025

Zenith Ensemble is thrilled to announce auditions for community singers who would like to join us in an extraordinary musical event this coming year. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians and experience one of the most remarkable masterpieces of the choral repertoire.

These auditions are for Zenith Community Singers and Zenith Scholars in consideration for the Monteverdi Vespers performance, June 2026.

In June 2026, we will present Claudio Monteverdi’s groundbreaking Vespro della Beata Vergine (1610) performed with orchestra on period instruments under the direction of Matthew Leese and concertmaster Marika Holmqvist.

Audtions will be held on January 31st, 2026 and will be conducted by Melly Hughes & Vladimir Odinokikh. The location of the audition will be Keene State College, Redfern Arts Center, room (215).

Rehearsal dates are as follows:
May 11th (Monday)
June 1 (Monday)
June 24 (Wednesday)
Concert weekend:
June 25, 26, 27 (Thursday/Friday/Saturday)

Before applying to audition, please check the above schedule ensure that you are able to attend ALL planned rehearsals. Given the nature of this music, we need everyone who is accepted to be fully committed to the project.

All auditioning singers will:
A) perform excerpts from the following specific movements and
😎 sight-read their preferred vocal part of another movement from the Vespers
ALL SOPRANOS
Nisi Dominus (Sextus line)
ALL ALTOS
Nisi Dominus (Altus [1] line)
ALL TENORS
Laetatus Sum (Tenor line)
ALL BASSES
Laetatus Sum (Bass line)

If you are interested in auditioning, please sign up through the google calendar link here - and click ‘next bookable date’, which should take you to Jan 31st and show you the available slots.

https://calendar.app.google/fqqR4pvzFmasJHCcnst

11/09/2025

An excerpt from Patricia Van Ness’ ‘Michael’, a movement from her stunning cycle Nine Orders of the Angels

09/20/2025

Big news! Zenith Ensemble is now officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 🎉 — which means your support is fully tax-deductible!

We’re also launching our 2026 Project: Monteverdi’s legendary 1610 Vespers, performed with period instruments and featuring professional artists alongside community singers and students.

Every gift is matched up to $5,000, so your support goes twice as far. Join us in bringing this extraordinary music to life!

Experience the immersive choir concerts performed by Zenith Ensemble, the Keene-based professional choir dedicated to delivering captivating performances. Matthew Leese, Artistic Director.