Help Us Make History: A New Choral Work for the Nation’s Stage

Music has the power to move, inspire, and unite—and we have a rare opportunity to bring something brand new to life. This year, at the Chorus America National Conference, Continuum Vocal Ensemble has the chance to premiere a commissioned work by the inaugural Continuum Catalyst Composer - James Keller. But we need your help to make it happen!

A new piece isn’t just notes on a page—it’s a story waiting to be told, voices ready to be heard, and a legacy in the making. By supporting this commission, you become part of the creative journey, ensuring that this music is not only performed but will inspire singers and audiences for years to come.

Every dollar brings us closer to the premiere. Will you help us bring new music to life?

Donate today and be a part of choral history! 🎶✨

📜 Meet the Composer 🖋️

James Keller (he/him) is a composer, conductor, and baritone from Kansas City, Missouri.
James received his Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Missouri - Kansas
City, where he studied with Pulitzer Prize-winning composers Chen Yi and Zhou Long among
other distinguished faculty, and his Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Louisiana State
University. As a composer, James’ music has been commissioned and performed by ensembles
from the high school to professional levels across the United States, including the
award-winning Los Angeles-based ensemble Choral Arts Initiative and the historic LSU A
Capella Choir. As a conductor, James has worked as assistant conductor and clinician for high
school and collegiate groups in Missouri and Louisiana, and is the founder of BRACE New
Music Choir, the Baton Rouge-New Orleans area’s first dedicated New Music chorus.

💡 Where do you find inspiration for creating new works?

My inspiration comes from all kinds of music, of course including works by other living choral composers and the historical greats, but also from non-classical music. Recently I've been particularly influenced by Japanese progressive rock bands like Jyocho and Tricot; video game scores and music from film and TV have been large inspirations for me as well.

✨ What drew you to choral music?

There is something about the sound of a group of people singing that, simply put, sounds like nothing else. Take all of the unique and intricate sonorities and complexities of the human voice and multiply it by 15, 20, 30 - it's almost magical.

The text

Heaven-Haven by Gerard Manley Hopkins reflects Continuum's Chorus America program performance's theme of finding home and belonging.

I have desired to go

Where springs not fail,

To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail

And a few lilies blow.

And I have asked to be

Where no storms come,

Where the green swell is in the havens dumb,

And out of the swing of the sea.

Continuum Catalyst Campaign

By Continuum Vocal Ensemble

Continuum Catalyst Campaign

Commission the music of tomorrow!