Биография

Octarium was founded in 2003 by Krista Lang Blackwood, the current artistic director. As the director of choirs at a large Kansas City church, Blackwood hired eight section leaders to support her choral program in 2001. As the program developed, the section leaders formed an octet to provide music at special liturgies. As the octet rehearsed and performed together, a remarkable thing began to happen: musical synergy. The singers began to read each other’s minds; taking unplanned breaths together, phrasing identically and beautifully without discussing it first and creating impromptu choral dynamics in rehearsal and performance. This kind of artistry inspired Blackwood to expand beyond the walls of the church. Octarium produced a subscription season, performed at the national American Choral Directors Association convention and initiated an educational outreach program. In 2013 Octarium scaled back its subscription season but continued to perform during the holiday season until 2016. The group considers additional performances by special arrangement but no longer takes the stage regularly. Musically and professionally, Octarium continues to evolve, but it has never changed its vision and mission.