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Krista Blackwood

Krista Blackwood

  • Info
  • Videos(16)
  • Choirs(1)
  • Activity

Personal Information

  • First Name Krista
  • Last Name Blackwood
  • Gender Female

Location

  • Country United States

Musical Information

  • Musical Activities Conductor, Voice Teacher, Administration, Marketing
  • Member of Choirs Octarium

More

  • Website www.octarium.org
  • About Me Octarium's Artistic Director Dr. Krista Lang Blackwood brings a diversity of education and experience to her conducting that helps make Octarium one of the freshest vocal sounds in American choral music. Octarium’s philosophy is more one of chamber musicians than traditional choral singers, exemplifying the concept of “musical synergy,” and singing with such combined artistry that phrasing, breath, nuance, and dynamics all happen spontaneously. The eight singers become so connected that they think and sing as one, and the results are “breathless unity, polish and meticulously crafted balance” (Paul Horsley, Kansas City Star).

    Blackwood has been a professional singer since 1987, when she became soprano section leader in an Episcopalian church choir under the direction of acclaimed composer, director, and organist James Buonemani. An accomplished mezzo-soprano, Blackwood has toured internationally as a soloist and performed a wide range of musical genres from opera to musical theatre, choral music and oratorio. She graduated cum laude from Texas Christian University in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in All-level Vocal Music Education. She completed her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance in 2000, her Master’s degree in Musicology in 2002, and her DMA degree in Voice in 2003, all from the University of Kansas. While at the University of Kansas, Blackwood sang under the baton of Simon Carrington, founding member of the Kings Singers. This experience was the culmination of a choral education garnered through the years under such choral directors as Ronald Shirey, Larry Palmer, Jing Ling Tam, Gordon Nelson, Craig Jessop, Z. Randall Stroope, Almeda Berkey, and Charles Bruffy.

    Blackwood was director of choirs for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City from 2001-2007. While developing the choral program there, she hired eight section leaders. These section leaders formed an octet to provide music at special liturgies, and Octarium was born. Octarium has now expanded beyond the walls of the church and onto the world of international choral music, garnering a reputation for an almost uncanny choral blend, their voices “coalescing as a single instrument of tremendous power and depth” (Paul Friswold, RiverFront Times).

    At each presentation, Octarium offers the polished choral sonority and embodiment of the philosophy, “Eight Singers, One Voice”.
  • 5:38 Octarium - ArtsKC Luncheon - Star Wars
    Octarium - ArtsKC Luncheon - Star Wars
    Tags: Pop/Rock, A cappella, Contemporary
    1318 views
  • 2:27 Highlights of Octarium at the 2005 ACDA National Convention
    Highlights of Octarium at the 2005 ACDA National Convention
    Tags: A cappella, Classical
    1055 views
  • 4:31 Sing Me To Heaven - Octarium
    Sing Me To Heaven - Octarium
    Tags: Classical
    1887 views
  • 3:45 Octarium Recording Session
    Octarium Recording Session
    Tags: Pop/Rock
    1084 views
  • 2:00 The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
    The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
    Tags: A cappella, Classical, Sacred
    2955 views
  • 0:07:38 Octarium Backstage Pass - First Noel - arr. Meader
    Octarium Backstage Pass - First Noel - arr. Meader
    Tags: A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Holiday
    1872 views
  • 4:19 Octarium Backstage Pass - What Child Is This - arr. Parker/Shaw
    Octarium Backstage Pass - What Child Is This - arr. Parker/Shaw
    Tags: A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Holiday
    1241 views
  • 0:12:57 Octarium - Sing a Symphony
    Octarium - Sing a Symphony
    Tags: A cappella, Classical
    1197 views
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  • Octarium
    Octarium
    1 member
    The vocal octet Octarium, based in Kansas City, has gained a national reputation for performances suffused with what composer Morton Lauridsen called, “stunning artistry combined with an absolutely beautiful blending of voices.” Composer Stephen Hatfiel...  more The vocal octet Octarium, based in Kansas City, has gained a national reputation for performances suffused with what composer Morton Lauridsen called, “stunning artistry combined with an absolutely beautiful blending of voices.” Composer Stephen Hatfield raves, “Octarium’s ability to change the nuance of their tone and timbre without disrupting the flow of the music enables them to pack their performances with riches without ever over-reaching for their effects.” At each presentation, Octarium offers the polished choral sonority and embodiment of the philosophy, “Eight Singers, One Voice” for which the ensemble has become well-known and respected. The Riverfront Times writes that the “eight members of Octarium go beyond raising their voices together in song; their voices warp and weave together, coalescing as a single instrument of tremendous power and depth. Octarium wields this might gracefully, never overpowering, opting instead to revel in the pliancy of the human voice.” In addition to a Kansas City...    less
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  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    5:38Octarium - ArtsKC Luncheon - Star Wars
    Octarium - ArtsKC Luncheon - Star Wars
    The Men of Octarium sing the Moosebutter arrangement of "Star Wars - John Williams Is the Man" at the ArtsKC Awards Luncheon. January 27, 2012 Starlight Theater Kansas City, Missouri
    July 25, 2012
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    2:27Highlights of Octarium at the 2005 ACDA National Convention
    Highlights of Octarium at the 2005 ACDA National Convention
    Highlights of Octarium's appearance at the 2005 American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Los Angeles.
    July 25, 2012
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    4:31Sing Me To Heaven - Octarium
    Sing Me To Heaven - Octarium
    Sing Me to Heaven Daniel E. Gawthrop text by Jane Griner Performed by Octarium from the Essentials album In my heart's sequestered chambers lie truths stripped of poet's gloss. Words alone are vain and vacant, and my heart is mute. In respons...
    July 25, 2012
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    3:45Octarium Recording Session
    Octarium Recording Session
    A bit of behind-the-scenes footage recording our first in-studio album as well as an unmixed, unedited tidbit of things to come. Album scheduled for release in 2012. Recorded at Soundtrek Studios, August 2011.
    October 9, 2011
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    2:00The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
    The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
    Octarium performs Peter Lutkin's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" live as an encore. Listener's Choice concert, February 2011. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you. And give you peace. The Lord make His face ...
    September 11, 2011
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    7:38Octarium Backstage Pass - First Noel - arr. Meader
    Octarium Backstage Pass - First Noel - arr. Meader
    MCC Backstage Pass presents Octarium in Concert, December 5, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The First Noel - arr. Darmon Meader. Soloists in order of appearance; Brady Shepherd, baritone, Jaime Scherrer, alto.
    July 9, 2011
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    4:19Octarium Backstage Pass - What Child Is This - arr. Parker/Shaw
    Octarium Backstage Pass - What Child Is This - arr. Parker/Shaw
    MCC Backstage Pass presents Octarium in Concert, December 5, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Church in Kansas City, Missouri. What Child is This - arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. Jason Parr, tenor solo.
    July 9, 2011
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    12:57Octarium - Sing a Symphony
    Octarium - Sing a Symphony
    Highlights of Sing a Symphony, an educational outreach program presented by Octarium. This program is designed for 5th through 12th graders. To find out more about Octarium's education programs, please visit http://www.octarium.org/education.html
    July 9, 2011
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    4:49Explaining an Arts NonProfit
    Explaining an Arts NonProfit
    This is sometimes how the conversation goes. Octarium has many loyal supporters and this video does not represent any person in particular, but is, rather, a tongue-firmly-in-cheek amalgam of some of the more frustrating conversations I've had seeking do...
    July 9, 2011
  • Krista Blackwood
    Krista Blackwood posted a new video:
    4:41MCC Backstage Pass presents Octarium - The Wexford Carol
    MCC Backstage Pass presents Octarium - The Wexford Carol
    MCC Backstage Pass presents Octarium in Concert, December 5, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Church in Kansas City, Missouri. The Wexford Carol, arr. John Rutter. Soloists in order of appearance; Benjamin Winters, bass, Renee Stanley, soprano, Jason Parr, tenor...
    July 9, 2011
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