How to Attend the Atlanta Vocal Arts Ensemble

The Atlanta Vocal Arts Ensemble (AVAE) is one of the most respected and dynamic choral organizations in the southeastern United States, known for its innovative programming, masterful vocal technique, and deep commitment to community engagement. Founded in 2008, the ensemble has grown from a small group of passionate amateur singers into a professional-caliber choir that performs regularly at prestigious venues across Atlanta, including the Atlanta Symphony Hall, the Spivey Hall, and the High Museum of Art. Whether youre a music enthusiast, a local resident seeking cultural enrichment, or a visitor planning a meaningful artistic experience, attending a performance by the Atlanta Vocal Arts Ensemble offers a profound and unforgettable encounter with the power of the human voice.

But attending an AVAE performance is more than simply buying a ticket and showing up. It involves understanding the ensembles mission, navigating its performance calendar, selecting the right seating, preparing for the acoustic environment, and engaging with the broader artistic context of each program. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to ensure your experience is seamless, rewarding, and deeply resonant. From the moment you first learn about an upcoming concert to the final note fading into silence, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge to attend with confidence, appreciation, and joy.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Ensembles Mission and Artistic Vision

Before you plan your attendance, take a moment to understand what makes the Atlanta Vocal Arts Ensemble unique. Unlike traditional choirs that focus solely on classical repertoire, AVAE blends historical works with contemporary compositions, often commissioning new pieces from emerging composers. Their performances frequently explore themes of identity, social justice, and cultural heritage, making each concert not just a musical event but a dialogue with the present moment.

Visit the official website at atlantavocalartsensemble.org and review their About and Mission pages. Familiarize yourself with their core values: artistic excellence, accessibility, inclusivity, and community collaboration. This context will deepen your appreciation when you attend a performance. Knowing that a piece was commissioned to honor a local civil rights leader, for example, transforms listening from passive consumption to active engagement.

Step 2: Review the Performance Calendar

AVAE typically presents three to four major concert series per year, with additional special events during holidays and community outreach programs. Their season usually runs from September through May, with summer workshops and pop-up performances in parks and libraries.

To find upcoming events:

• Go to atlantavocalartsensemble.org/calendar
• Filter by date, venue, or theme (e.g., Sacred Music, Modern Choral Works, Community Collaborations)
• Sign up for their email newsletter to receive automatic updates

Most concerts are scheduled on Friday or Saturday evenings, with occasional Sunday matinees. Popular eventsespecially those featuring guest soloists or premieressell out quickly, so mark your calendar as soon as a new season is announced, typically in late spring.

Step 3: Choose Your Ticket Type

AVAE offers several ticket options to accommodate different budgets and preferences:

• General Admission: $25$35 per person. Standard seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Reserved Seating: $35$50. Guaranteed seats with better sightlines, often in the center orchestra section.
• Student/Senior Discount: $15$20. Valid with ID; available for all performances.
• Group Rates: $20 per person for parties of 6 or more. Must be booked at least 7 days in advance.
• Pay-What-You-Can: Available for select community outreach concerts. No ticket requiredjust arrive early and contribute what you can.

Reserve your tickets through the official website. Avoid third-party resellers, as AVAE does not authorize them and prices may be inflated. Online purchases are processed securely and tickets are delivered via email as PDFs or mobile barcodes.

Step 4: Select Your Venue and Understand the Acoustics

AVAE performs in a variety of venues, each with distinct acoustic properties. Understanding the space enhances your listening experience.

• Atlanta Symphony Hall: Home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, this hall offers exceptional resonance and clarity. Seats in the center orchestra or lower balcony provide the most balanced sound.
• Spivey Hall: A smaller, intimate space with warm, natural acoustics. Ideal for arias, chamber choir pieces, and a cappella works. Front-row seats offer an immersive experience.
• High Museum of Art: Often used for themed concerts paired with visual art exhibits. The space is reverberant but less traditional; bring a light jacket as the temperature may be cooler.
• Outdoor Venues (e.g., Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden): Performances here are weather-dependent and feature amplified sound. Arrive early to secure shade or a good vantage point.

Check the venues website for parking, public transit options, and accessibility features. Most venues offer wheelchair-accessible seating and assistive listening devices upon request.

Step 5: Plan Your Arrival and Entry

Doors open 45 minutes before showtime. Arriving early allows you to:

• Find your seat without rush
• Review the program booklet (distributed at the entrance)
• Explore any pre-concert exhibits or artist interviews
• Engage with other attendees and share your anticipation

Bring your ticket (printed or digital) and a valid photo ID if using a discount. No bags larger than 12 x 12 are permitted in the main auditorium. Coats and large purses may be checked at the coatroom free of charge.

Photography and recording devices are strictly prohibited during performances. This policy ensures the integrity of the artistic experience and respects the performers rights. Use your phone only to access the digital program or to capture a quiet moment before the lights dim.

Step 6: Prepare for the Performance

Attending a choral concert is a different experience from a rock show or opera. Heres how to prepare:

• Arrive with an open mind: AVAE often performs unfamiliar works. Let yourself be surprised.
• Read the program notes: Each concert includes detailed program notes explaining the historical context, composer biography, and lyrical themes. These are available online in advance and in print at the venue.
• Consider the language: Many pieces are sung in Latin, German, French, or African dialects. Dont worry if you dont understand every wordfocus on the emotion conveyed through tone, dynamics, and phrasing.
• Practice quiet attention: Silence between movements is part of the ritual. Avoid coughing, whispering, or rustling programs during pauses.

Consider bringing a small notebook to jot down impressions. Many attendees find that writing down their thoughts during intermission deepens their emotional connection to the music.

Step 7: Engage During and After the Performance

When the lights dim and the first note sounds, allow yourself to be fully present. Choral music is not background noiseit is a living, breathing conversation between singers, composers, and audience.

At the conclusion of the final piece, wait for the conductor to lower their arms before applauding. Its customary to offer a moment of silence after particularly moving or sacred works. If the ensemble performs an encore, respond with warm, sustained applause.

After the concert, consider staying for the post-performance reception (often held in the lobby or adjacent gallery). This is your opportunity to meet the artistic director, speak with singers, and learn more about upcoming projects. Many AVAE members are happy to discuss their creative process, favorite repertoire, or even recommend recordings to explore further.

Step 8: Extend Your Experience

Attending one concert is just the beginning. To deepen your connection with the ensemble:

• Join their Choral Circle donor program for exclusive behind-the-scenes access
• Volunteer as an usher or event helper
• Participate in their free community workshops, open to all skill levels
• Subscribe to their annual season for discounted tickets and priority seating

Many attendees return year after year, not just for the music, but for the sense of community AVAE fosters. Youre not just an audience memberyou become part of a living tradition.

Best Practices

Respect the Art and the Artists

Choral music is the result of hundreds of hours of rehearsal, personal sacrifice, and emotional vulnerability. Singers often spend years training their voices, studying languages, and memorizing complex scores. Treat each performance as a sacred offering.

Arrive on time. Latecomers are seated only during appropriate pauses in the music, and disruptions can affect the entire ensembles concentration. If you must leave early, do so between pieces, not during them.

Dress Appropriately

There is no formal dress code at AVAE performances, but most attendees choose business casual or smart attire. Avoid overly casual clothing like athletic wear, flip-flops, or clothing with large logos. For outdoor or community events, layering is recommendedAtlanta evenings can be unpredictable.

Remember: the singers are in formal attire. Matching their level of respect in your dress enhances the collective experience.

Minimize Distractions

Turn off your phone completely. Even silent notifications can be distracting to performers and fellow audience members. If you must keep your phone on for emergencies, set it to vibrate and keep it out of sight.

Refrain from eating, drinking, or chewing gum during the performance. Even quiet snacks can be amplified in a quiet hall. Water is permitted in sealed containers but should be consumed only during intermission.

Learn to Listen Deeply

Choral music is layered. In a four-part harmony, you might hear the soprano melody, but the alto and tenor lines carry emotional weight too. Try this exercise: in your next concert, focus on one vocal section for an entire piece. Notice how their tone changes, how they blend, how they breathe together. This practice transforms passive listening into active musical discovery.

Support the Ensemble Beyond the Ticket

Financial contributions are vital to AVAEs sustainability. Donations fund new commissions, youth outreach programs, and free community concerts. Even a $10 contribution helps. Consider making a recurring gift or purchasing a commemorative program bookmany feature original artwork and essays by local writers.

Leave a review on Google, Yelp, or the ensembles website. Word-of-mouth is one of their most powerful tools for growth. Share your experience on social media using

AVAEAtlanta to help others discover the ensemble.

Bring a Guest

Choral music is most powerful when shared. Invite a friend, neighbor, or coworkereven someone who says they dont like classical music. Many first-time attendees are stunned by the emotional impact of live choral sound. AVAEs programs are designed to be accessible to all backgrounds.

Some concerts even offer pre-concert talks led by the artistic director. These 15-minute sessions explain the programs themes and are especially helpful for newcomers.

Tools and Resources

Official Website: atlantavocalartsensemble.org

This is your primary hub for all information: concert dates, ticketing, artist bios, program notes, and educational resources. The site is mobile-friendly and updated in real time. Bookmark it and check it weekly as the season approaches.

Email Newsletter

Subscribing to the AVAE newsletter ensures you receive:

• Early access to ticket sales
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes videos
• Invitations to member-only events
• Season previews and composer interviews

Sign up on the homepage. Youll receive one email per month, with urgent updates (like last-minute venue changes) sent separately.

Program Booklets

Each concert includes a professionally printed program booklet. These are not mere schedulesthey contain:

• Full lyrics with translations
• Composer biographies and historical context
• Notes from the artistic director
• Photos of the ensemble and guest artists
• Donor acknowledgments and sponsorship information

Programs are available in print at the venue and digitally on the website after each performance. Download them to study later or share with students or music groups.

Streaming and On-Demand Access

While live performance is irreplaceable, AVAE offers select recordings through their Voices in Residence digital archive. These are available for purchase or free streaming to donors. Titles include their acclaimed Songs of the Underground Railroad and Letters from the Front, both of which have been featured on NPR and BBC Radio 3.

Visit atlantavocalartsensemble.org/stream to explore. These recordings are excellent for study, teaching, or quiet reflection.

Mobile App: AVAE Concert Companion

Download the free AVAE Concert Companion app (iOS and Android) for:

• Interactive program guides synchronized with the performance
• Real-time translations of foreign-language texts
• Artist bios with audio clips
• Push notifications for last-minute changes
• A Listen Again feature that lets you replay favorite moments after the concert

The app is updated before each season and includes accessibility features like text-to-speech and high-contrast mode.

Local Partnerships

AVAE collaborates with Atlantas cultural institutions:

• Atlanta Public Library: Free choral listening stations with curated playlists
• Emory University Music Department: Joint lectures and student performance opportunities
• Atlanta History Center: Themed concerts tied to historical exhibits

Check their partners websites for bundled eventssuch as a museum tour followed by a concertoffering a richer cultural immersion.

Recommended Listening (Before You Attend)

To deepen your appreciation, explore these recordings in advance:

• Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen A cornerstone of modern choral repertoire, often performed by AVAE
• The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins A dramatic, multi-movement work frequently featured
• I Am the Light of This World by Adolphus Hailstork A powerful American spiritual-inspired piece
• Sankofa by Rene Bryan Commissioned by AVAE, blending West African rhythms with Western harmony

Many of these are available on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. Create a Before AVAE playlist to prime your ears.

Real Examples

Example 1: A First-Time Attendees Journey

Marisol, a 32-year-old teacher from Decatur, had never attended a choral concert. She saw a flyer at her local coffee shop advertising Songs of Resilience: A Tribute to the Civil Rights Movement. Intrigued, she visited the AVAE website, read the program notes, and bought a general admission ticket.

She arrived 40 minutes early, picked up her program, and sat in the center section. As the ensemble began singing We Shall Overcome in a newly arranged version with a solo cello, she felt tears well up. The program had explained how the arrangement incorporated field hollers from the 1960s. During intermission, she spoke with a singer who had participated in the original 2018 performance. That conversation changed her perspective on music as activism.

She returned the next season for Echoes of the Diaspora and now volunteers as a program usher. I didnt know music could make you feel like youre part of something bigger, she says. Now I cant imagine my life without it.

Example 2: A Corporate Group Experience

A tech company in Midtown Atlanta hosted a team-building event at AVAEs Harmony in the City concert. Twenty employees received discounted group tickets and arrived early for a guided tour of the venues acoustics. After the performance, they attended a reception where they met the artistic director and learned how the ensemble had collaborated with local poets to write new texts.

One participant, a software engineer, said: I thought I didnt like classical music. But hearing voices blend without instrumentslike a living instrumentit made me think about how our code teams need to harmonize too. The company now sponsors an annual AVAE scholarship for a high school student.

Example 3: A Students Transformation

Jamal, a 16-year-old from Southwest Atlanta, attended a free AVAE outreach concert at his high school. Hed never heard live choral music before. The ensemble performed a piece based on his favorite rap artists lyrics, reimagined as a four-part fugue. He was stunned.

He applied to AVAEs youth mentorship program, received voice lessons, and now sings in their junior ensemble. He recently performed as a soloist in Voices of the Next Generation, a concert he helped curate. They didnt just let me sing, he says. They made me feel like my voice mattered.

Example 4: A Visitor from Abroad

Dr. Elena Moreau, a musicologist from Lyon, France, visited Atlanta for a conference and attended AVAEs Transatlantic Choral Dialogues concert. She had studied many of the composers on the program but had never heard them performed by an American ensemble with such authenticity.

She later wrote a feature article for Choral Journal International, calling AVAE a model of cultural intelligence in choral performance. Her article led to an invitation for AVAE to perform in Lyon the following year.

FAQs

Can I bring children to an AVAE concert?

Yes, children are welcome. However, performances are typically 90120 minutes long and require quiet attention. We recommend children be at least 8 years old and able to sit quietly without distraction. AVAE offers family-friendly Junior Choral concerts during the summer, specifically designed for younger audiences with shorter durations and interactive elements.

Is there parking available at the venues?

Most venues offer paid parking, but many are also accessible via MARTA (Atlantas public transit system). Spivey Hall has a dedicated lot; Atlanta Symphony Hall has a garage adjacent to the building. For outdoor events, street parking is often available. Check the venues website for detailed parking maps and recommendations.

What if I cant afford a ticket?

AVAE is committed to accessibility. Pay-What-You-Can concerts are offered at least twice per season. You can also request a complimentary ticket through their Community Access Program by emailing access@atlantavocalartsensemble.org. No documentation is requiredonly your willingness to attend and engage.

Are the concerts wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All venues are ADA-compliant with designated seating, accessible restrooms, and assistive listening devices. If you require special accommodations, notify the box office at least 48 hours in advance.

Can I meet the singers after the concert?

Yes, during the post-concert reception. Singers often stay to greet attendees, answer questions, and sign programs. This is one of the most cherished aspects of the AVAE experience.

Do I need to know how to read music to enjoy the concert?

No. AVAEs concerts are designed for audiences of all backgrounds. The program notes and app provide all the context you need. Your heart and ears are your only required tools.

Can I record the performance for personal use?

For the protection of the artists and the integrity of the performance, all audio and video recording is strictly prohibited. This includes phones, cameras, and wearable devices. We encourage you to be fully present in the moment.

How do I support the ensemble if I cant attend?

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook, share their posts, and encourage friends to attend. You can also make a tax-deductible donation online or purchase merchandise like scarves, posters, or recordings. Every act of support helps keep their music alive.

Conclusion

Attending the Atlanta Vocal Arts Ensemble is not merely an act of entertainmentit is an act of communion. In a world increasingly fragmented by screens and silence, the human voice singing in harmony offers a rare and powerful reminder of our shared humanity. Each note, each breath, each silence between phrases is a deliberate choice made by artists who have devoted their lives to this sacred art.

This guide has walked you through every practical stepfrom discovering a concert to reflecting on its meaning. But the most important step is the one you take next: choosing to show up.

Buy your ticket. Arrive early. Listen deeply. Let the voices move you. And when the final chord fades, dont just clapfeel it. Because when you attend the Atlanta Vocal Arts Ensemble, you are not just hearing music. You are participating in a living legacy, one that invites you to be part of something greater than yourself.

Find your next concert. Bring a friend. Be present. And let your soul be lifted by the sound of voices united.