About Amuse
Amuse is an ensemble of 12-16 skilled amateur women singers formed in the fall of 2002 by Lee Ryder. As a small ensemble, Amuse offers singers an opportunity to work together in a setting where every voice matters. Each singer can hear her own musical line as it weaves a thread in and around the other musical parts. Everyone’s contribution—whether in the blend, intonation, entrances, cutoffs, or enunciation—makes a very real contribution to the quality of the performance. It's a big challenge and it has enormous rewards.

We differ from other choral organizations in several important ways. Our rehearsal schedules are intense with all seven rehearsals taking place in the three weeks just prior to each concert. And, we come together to make music, not learn notes. so singers must take more responsibility for musical preparation. You can find out more about the level of commitment we need from singers in the ensemble by reading the expectations of singers.

We hold auditions on an ongoing basis during the season. To find out more about what is required and how to schedule an audition, click on the word audition anywhere on this page.

Our repertory, a combination of sacred and secular classical works, both accompanied and a capella, is drawn from the 16th to 21st centuries. While the full ensemble sings numerous works, smaller ensembles are selected to perform other works to add variety to each program and to give individual singers the opportunity to perform solos or duets. To get a better sense of our repertory and programs, click on Concerts below and look at our 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, or 2007 programs.

Our debut concert took place on September 14, 2003 at St Michael's Church, New York City. Since that time we have presented 2-3 concerts per season. During the summer of 2004, Amuse was invited to participate in the New York premiere of John Tavener's all-night vigil The Veil of the Temple, the concluding work of the Lincoln Center Festival. At the conclusion of our 2005 and 2006 seasons Amuse toured to the Boston area, presenting two concert on the North Shore and a concert in Brookline under the direction of it's former Music Director, Barbara Bruns.
Since 2007, Amuse has been an ensemble-in-residence at St. Ignatius of Antioch at 87th and West End Ave.