Sonus Chamber Choir Announces Debut Recording Project, Sanctuary: Choral Music for Sacred Spaces
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dawson Wagner
Email: press@sonusks.org
Phone:
Featuring Three World-Premiere Works and a Reflection on Sacred Music’s Enduring Beauty
TOPEKA, Kan. (July 1, 2025) – The Sonus Chamber Choir is proud to announce its debut professional recording project, Sanctuary: Choral Music for Sacred Spaces, set to be recorded in July 2025 and released in spring 2026. This recording is the culmination of the ensemble’s emergence as a powerful voice in professional choral music, bringing together exceptional singers and a thoughtfully curated repertoire that spans centuries.
More than just an album, Sanctuary seeks to explore the quiet grandeur of sacred spaces—both in a literal sense and in the contemplative nature of the music itself. The project highlights compositions that capture the austerity, reverence, and severity inherent to sacred choral music, while introducing three brand-new works of never before heard music.
"This album is a unique take on sacred literature which is often written for a 'high church' experience," notes Kolby Van Camp, the ensemble’s founder and conductor. "We want to highlight the beauty of this music, for the sake of it being beautiful, while acknowledging the sacred tradition from which it originated. I'm proud of the repertoire selection, especially the new music we are going to bring into the world with this recording.
A Landmark Recording with Three World Premieres
In addition to showcasing rarely performed choral works, Sanctuary will include the world premiere recordings of:
A new Missa Brevis by Nicholas Paradas, a Kansas State University alumnus whose work blends 21st century lyricism and structural clarity,
A contemplative and newly commissioned setting of the traditional Locus Iste text by Jesse Kaiser, the ensemble’s composer-in-residence, which possesses thick textures that explores the vastness of the sacred music tradition, and
A new mass setting by Dr. Bragi Þor Valsson, an Icelandic composer whose music reflects both modern and ancient sacred traditions, while incorporating stark harmonies characteristic to the Icelandic choral tradition.
These new works will stand alongside timeless sacred compositions by Herbert Howells and Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson that elevate the album’s themes of grandeur, reverence, and reflection. The goal of Sanctuary is not only to preserve and celebrate choral music’s rich history in the sacred setting, but also to push it forward with new voices and perspectives.
A Vision for the Future of Choral Music
This recording represents the first major recording milestone for Sonus Chamber Choir. Building on the momentum of its acclaimed 2023 debut performance of GRAMMY® Award winning composer Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil and a growing reputation for artistic excellence, Sonus Chamber Choir is poised to establish itself as a major force in the choral world.
Recording sessions will take place July 25-26, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas, with the album anticipated for a spring 2026 release. A documentary of the session will be created by Fotopro Media and be available for release with the album in the spring of 2026.
Media availability with members of the ensemble, executive staff, and board of directors will be held from 7-8pm on July 26 at 1434 SW Glick Road, Topeka, KS 66615. Media members are welcome to interview singers, the conductor, members of the board of directors, etc. during the period of media availability.
To learn more about Sonus Chamber Choir, its upcoming projects, and how to support this initiative, visit sonusks.org.
About Sonus Chamber Choir
Sonus Chamber Choir is a professional vocal ensemble based in Kansas, dedicated to elevating choral artistry through world-class recordings, innovative programming, and new music commissions.
About Kolby Van Camp
Kolby Van Camp is a conductor, composer, and founder of Sonus Chamber Choir. His work blends innovation, tradition, and expressive musical storytelling to create transformative choral experiences.