On May 28, 2024,  Elevation, non-profit Elevate Vocal Arts’ flagship ensemble of 39 vocal artists, releases their second album, Are You Looking For Me? at the Meyer Media label produced by GRAMMY award-winning Andreas Meyer. Available at all major online download and streaming sites. Preorder is now available on Apple Music and Amazon.

Are You Looking For Me? is an introspective work with nine world premiere tracks that explores the depths of faith. Through a meticulously curated repertoire that blends ethereal melodies with raw, emotive lyrics, the album invites listeners on a profound journey inward and outward. It questions the essence of belief in the divine, in the goodness within people, in the transformative power of art, and in the relentless march of time. And, it challenges us to reflect on our own convictions and human potential.

At its core, Are You Looking For Me? is a dynamic canvas for artists to explore the complex narratives of faith, resilience, and identity. Elevate Vocal Arts‘ unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and providing platforms for historically marginalized communities is evident in the range of vocal artistry showcased in this album. Through music, storytelling, and spoken word, the choir’s talent is on full display, a testament to the power of song and story. 

Album Teaser:

The works included on this album span centuries of choral stylings and landscapes. From “Laus Trinitati,” Faith Zimmer’s reworking of chants from the High Middle Ages, to “Were You There?” a Negro spiritual first published in 1899, sacred compositions are recontextualized for modern understanding. In keeping with the theme of modernity, contemporary works such as Dominick DiOrio’s newly commissioned piece “Are You Looking For Me?” and Reginal Wright’s “Tides” speak to modern meanings and expressions of faith in everyday life, while also commenting on timely social issues such as political division and police brutality.

Compositions on the album incorporate texts from diverse sources such as Indian mystic poet and saint Kabir, and writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson. Further inspiration is drawn from musical sources ranging from 11th-century Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen, Hip-Hop looping, and even Westminster Chimes, the ubiquitous set of pitches used by clocks around the world to toll the hours of the day.

The team that produced Are You Looking For Me? is led by Artistic Director & CEO, Arreon A. Harley-Emerson, along with Dr. Jillian Harrison-Jones, Associate Artistic Director, L. Jay Besch, Operations Manager and Assistant Conductor, and Erik Meyer, Collaborative Keyboardist.

WORKS (ALL WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS) INCLUDE:

I. Divine Commentary
1. Laus Trinitati, Faith Zimmer
2. Were You There, Christopher H. Harris
II. Searching For Faith
3. Are You Looking For Me, Dominick DiOrio
4. Tides, Reginal Wright
III. Odes to Joy
5. Joy Never Leaves, Christopher H. Harris
6. Elevate, Lori C. Hicks
IV. Infinite Song
7. The Gift To Sing, Erik Meyer
8. Hymn to Time, Lee R. Kesselman
V. The Majestic
9. You Are Worthy of All The Praise, Kevin B. James

Elevate Vocal Arts (EVA)
Arreon A. Harley-Emerson
Andreas K. Meyer