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Choral composer, arranger, singer and pianist Nathaniel Adams (b. 1986) uses his vast performance experience in contemporary music, Anglican chant, renaissance/baroque masterworks, a cappella and vocal jazz to create music that is accessible, surprising and emotionally charged.

Nathaniel’s works have quickly made their way around the international choral scene – performed in the USA, Canada, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Venezuela. He holds the position of composer in residence with the St. Charles Singers (Jeff Hunt, director) and has received commissions from groups such as Manhattan Chorale, the St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys under John Scott, Home Free, Cantamus of Iowa State University, Ringmasters, and The World Youth Choir.

Most recently, The Manhattan Chorale commissioned a new work from Adams – He Came All So Still – for their performance at Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center. Before that, the prestigious St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boyson 5th Avenue commissioned Nathaniel’s first setting of the Anglican responses and have used them in the liturgy multiple times since their premiere in January of 2016. Shortly after, Nathaniel was commissioned to compose Love is Patient, a setting of Corinthians 13:4-18 written for SATB choir and acclaimed soprano, Sylvia McNair.

In addition to composing new works, Adams is also an accomplished arranger. His arrangement of Black is the Color gained traction among women’s choirs around the USA, and to date has been performed by Vox Musica (Daniel Paulson) at the ACDA National Convention, Cantus Femina (Dee Gauthier) at the NCCO Conference, Cantamus of Iowa State University (Kathleen Rodde), Shasta College (Elizabeth Waterbury), Glenbard West HS (Andy Jeffrey), Jenison HS Chorus (Les Rowsey), Augsburg College (Nancy Grundahl), Gettysburg College (Robert Vance), University of North Texas (Matthew Brady), Bowling Green University (Jessica Allen), Wisconsin Choral Directors Association All-State Choir (Kathleen Rodde), Juan Gorrin of Venezuela, Western Washington University (Natalia Luzuriaga) and Allendale HS (Emily Verdonk). 

The breadth of styles in Adams’ vocabulary is a direct product of his history as a choral performer. Nathaniel is currently a proud member of the Choir of Men and Boys at St. Thomas Church on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, Pomerium (specializing in early music) and Early Music New York (works pre-1700). He has also sung with groups such as Ekmeles, Dwende, The Chamber Choir of Europe, and the World Youth Choir – and has fun and loving memories of his days on the road in an a cappella €œboy band€: The Cat’s Pajamas Vocal Band. He holds a B.A. in Music from Western Michigan University where he studied under Dr. Steve Zegree and sang in their prestigious vocal jazz group, Gold Company. Nathaniel currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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