Vox Nova Girls' Choir of the Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center

Under the direction of Emily John, the Vox Nova Choirs feature the students in grades 5-8 of the Special Music School at the Kaufman Music Center. The choruses focus on performing music from across eras and genres with a special focus on modern works. Recent noteworthy performances include Panda Chant II with the Meredith Monk ensemble at the Whitney Museum, Britten’s Voices for Today with the Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble the Messengers of Peace in the Opera Orchestra New York’s production of Wagner’s Rienzi at Avery Fisher Hall and collaborations with Melodia Women’s Choir, Queens College Choir and Canticum Novum Singers. Vox Nova has performed at Trinity Wall Street Church, St. Malachy’s (The Actor’s Chapel), St. Ignatius of Antioch, NYC Transit Museum, Grand Central Terminal and Merkin Concert Hall. The Special Music School is a groundbreaking NYC public school for musically gifted children. The mission of Special Music School High School is to develop students who have the skills, competencies and knowledge necessary for successful 21st-century music careers. The 21st-century musician can analyze, compose, and perform music at the highest level; has a strong sense of his/her own artistic “voice,” and is fluent in current music technologies. The 21st-century musician possesses the academic knowledge, skills, and habits that are keys to success in a rapidly changing world; he/she is also community-minded, inventive, and resourceful.

A unique public/private partnership between Kaufman Music Center and the New York City Department of Education, the school combines intensive instrumental instruction with a rigorous academic program, and is ranked number one in New York State.

The program is directed by Emily John, who serves on the adjunct faculty of Queens College – CUNY and the Special Music School at the Kaufman Music Center. Past conducting appointments include The Amadeus Chorale, the Center for Preparatory Studies in Music at Queens College, and the Mineola Choral Society. Her compositions and arrangements have been performed by groups as diverse as the Orleans All-County Elementary Chorus, the Mineola Choral Society, Bella Voce Singers and regional high school choirs, and selected works are available through Pavane Publishing and Carl Fischer Music. Her publications include an article in the American Choral Director's Association journal on the choral works of John Cage, an annotated bibliography of works for choir and harp in the American Harp Journal, a companion article, co-authored with her husband, James John in Choral Journal and “By the Book: An Annotated Bibliography of Music-Based Picture Books” in General Music Today. Ms. John is also a freelance harpist, performing with regional orchestras, choirs and for private events.