Welcome to luminatus vocal ensemble
Get in touch or book us for an event Make a donation to support usAbout us
We promote new early and contemporary music in the UK. luminatus creates imaginative concerts, recordings and education projects, taking listeners on a journey through time, and from the known to the unknown. Audiences comment positively on our superb sound, sense of connection and friendly approach. Recent reviews have described us as ‘spellbinding’ and a ‘choir of exceptional ability’, with a ‘rich and full’ sound. This reflects the quality of the singers, who are all established soloists, working as ‘first amongst equals’ by singing within the ensemble, or taking solos.
We provide a chance to try Renaissance, contemporary, or other styles of vocal music for the first time. Programmes provide a journey across time, cultures and styles. Listeners enjoy our relaxing, enjoyable and also inspiring concerts. Others appreciate the familiar pieces, and the chance to listen to unknown repertoire. You can hear us on all major streaming services, but we recommend listening to a CD for an insight into what we sound like. Or, even better, come to a concert. The experience of hearing us live is where the magic starts.
Superbly recorded and performed with stylish polish by the voices of luminatus, this is a release that should bring refined delight to everyone keen on excellent choral music both ancient and modern
Music Web International
Our key repertoire
We perform an eclectic range of music. We have shone a light on newly discovered, or edited, Renaissance pieces. Our focus has led to recordings of music by Tiburtio Massiano, Ippolito Baccusi and Francesco Stivori, as well as extended and unrecorded pieces by Phillipe de Monte and Francisco Guerrero. These ‘new’ pieces are often set alongside contemporary compositions, with a recent focus on female composers.
Recent recordings feature compositions by Cecilia McDowall, Melissa Dunphy, Becky McGlade, Agneta Sköld, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Eleanor Daley, Kerry Andrew and Rosa Elliott. We enjoy performing ‘new’ music, taking the listener on a cultural and spiritual journey across time, space and musical style. This highlights links and differences, bringing an audience into a relationship between pieces. We also perform more standard repertoire, including with a period instrument orchestra where required.
Hear about news or offersSing with us Donate to support us Become a trustee Become a VIP and support usThe voices of luminatus strike me as uplifting and positive in the best way – not in any way forced or artificial, but naturally bright and lively in colour, even where the music is minor-key and more profound or dolorous.
Music Web International
Our unique style
We consider carefully historically informed practice. We research high quality pieces which have rarely been performed, and may not have been recorded before. Our singers adjust their sound and style to reflect the context of the music and its cultural heritage.
Performances reflect the way relatively little is known about vocal sound, style or phrasing within some historical contexts. Our focus is on creating warmth, with a rich timbre. Finding meaning and context within the music is our guide. We take the listener on a journey which enhances discovery, emotion and engagement.
The unfamiliar Renaissance material is of high quality and is performed with languid elegance by the ensemble.
Early Music Review
Recent and future recordings
We record pieces not previously available. These are available via the main streaming services, or you can purchase recordings by visiting the shop page on this site. Here you will find a range of ‘new’ great pieces. Some are Renaissance gems, whilst others are more contemporary.
Almost all will not have been recorded before. If you are a composer and would like us to perform or record one of your pieces please use the ‘contact us’ link. We make no promises, but are genuinely interested in hearing from you.
The luminatus vocal ensemble sings with excellent balance and warmth, whether with gentle restraint or incisive power in this wide-ranging programme.
Church Music Quarterly
Concert and project location
We bring high quality music to a range of venues. We have experience of developing education projects in schools or music hubs, and wish to link with other creative organisations. Our singers are mostly based in the East Midlands and East of England, but distance and location are not limitations.
If you would like to know more, discuss how we can put on a performance, help to plan an education project, or collaborate in other ways please get in touch.
A fascinating selection of Renaissance and Contemporary choral music… unified principally by the excellent singing of this young 20-voice choir, and the experienced direction of David Bray.
Laudate Magazine
Find out more
This courageous, audibly enthusiastic and enterprising group takes ownership in committed performances
Choir and Organ
David Bray’s singers give every word, Latin or English, equal weight and sweetness, each text delivered with an admirable clarity… a genuine triumph.
Choir and Organ
Featuring a wonderful mass by Phillipe de Monte, based on Ancor che col partire by Cipriano de Rore. Plus a host of Renaissance delights by Stivori, Massaino, Baccusi, Verdelot. With wonderful contemporary settings by Cecilia McDowall, Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Rosa Elliott.
Order a copy now!
This is a release that should bring refined delight to everyone keen on excellent choral music both ancient and modern
Music Web International
Luminatus under David Bray offers some fine performances here…
A positively seraphic performance….
Fanfare magazine
‘The singing is superb’
Edinburgh Music Review
luminatus vocal ensemble is currently directed by David Bray – please use this link to contact him.
The idea behind this disc is fabulous Fanfare Magazine
‘An excellent showcase
for their a cappella sound,
a selection of previously
unrecorded works from their
favoured musical domains.’
Laudate Magazine
‘The performance here is
cogent, varied, well thought
out, and entirely convincing —
quite a coup for this
unheralded ensemble.’
Fanfare
‘The performances were
always full of interest and
pleasure… David Bray and
luminatus must be
congratulated warmly.’
Organists Review
‘The disc comes alive in the
modern works, particularly
Dunphy’s haunting Magnificat
and McDowall’s more
strident settings.’
Cathedral Music Magazine