Repertoire Innovation Through Tradition-Contemporary Synthesis

Advances contemporary choral artistry by commissioning new works from living composers and integrating them into its performance repertoire as part of its core artistic programming.

Operates an open audition process requiring unedited, live solo recordings from applicants to ensure vocal quality while building a professional ensemble that includes voices historically excluded due to systemic racism.

Connects diverse audiences with choral music through outreach initiatives designed to make performances more accessible and representative of underrepresented communities.

Presents four candlelight Christmas concerts annually, a long-standing holiday tradition in New York, featuring choral music in a candlelit setting to engage audiences during the holiday season.

Hosts an annual gala event featuring a musical program and dinner to celebrate the organization’s artistic achievements and support its future initiatives.

Researches, programs, and performs works by composers from historically marginalized communities in classical music, contributing to a more inclusive choral repertoire.

Organizes and presents a concert season between October and April each year, featuring performances by the Voices of Ascension Chorus and Orchestra that span early Western polyphony to contemporary compositions, including rare and theatrically staged works. The season includes immersive programming that bridges historical and modern choral artistry.

Runs the "Voices of Promise" emerging artist program, which offers young artists within the ensemble opportunities for solo performances and professional growth.

Produces and distributes commercial and live recordings of choral performances through partnerships with labels such as Delos International, resulting in best-selling and Grammy-nominated albums including "Beyond Chant," "Duruflé Album," and Berlioz "Te Deum."

Organizes an annual three-day retreat in U.S. cities that includes intensive choral rehearsals and culminates in a final performance of sophisticated choral repertoire; past locations include New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

Organizes and performs in international tours every 2–3 years, featuring concerts in major cathedrals and historic venues across Europe and other regions; tours include structured rehearsals and diverse repertoire in sacred and secular choral music.

Delivers public choral performances in religious and concert venues across the United States and internationally, including free concerts following religious services and joint performances with other choirs.

Offers members access to music downloads, practice tracks, sheet music, recordings of past performances, and an online system for paying annual dues and accessing information about upcoming events.

Assigns a peer buddy to each new member to facilitate integration via regular check-ins, guidance, and connection to the broader membership community.

Commissions and premieres new choral compositions, with over 400 works commissioned and premiered to date. Recent premieres include Conrad Susa's final composition, Jeffrey Parola's SONARE for more than fifty voices and organ, and Ed Thompson's "STEP INTO THE NIGHT" in 2022.

Operates the Choral Chameleon Institute, an 8-day immersive summer program established in 2012 that hosts up to 12 composers and 4 conductors per session with high faculty-to-student engagement. The program includes reading sessions, masterclasses, feedback, and culminates in the premiere of new works. Two annual sessions are held: one for conductors in January and one for composers in June.

Produces experimental and immersive choral experiences, including the world’s first choral sound bath titled "Washing" in collaboration with Bloom Sound Collective and the immersive choral rave dance party "BIGGER THAN MY SONG."

Offers a multi-year Music Directing Fellowship Program and a fellowship for emerging conductors, providing training in artistic, administrative, and organizational leadership of a choral ensemble at no cost to participants.