GSCC Member Organization

Description

Named for the “First Lady of Estonian Music”, Ester Mägi, the core ensemble is a treble group of nine talented singers. The Mägi Ensemble performs and records compositions from the Baltic region that are rarely heard outside of that area and to be an ambassador of the power of music in inter-cultural dialogue and identity.

The focus on Baltic music stems from the strong relationship between the choral department and the Baltic studies department at the University of Washington. This relationship helped establish the UW Baltic Choral Library, the first of its kind in the United States. During her time at the UW, Heather MacLaughlin Garbes was asked to help organize this collection and that started her great interest in not only Baltic choral music, but also the use of music in political identity. The UW Baltic Choral Library continues to grow and develop and now has over 1000 pieces in the collection.

The Mägi Ensemble was honored to participate in the 2013 Latvian National Song Festival and has released their first CD “Baltic Sounds”, which is available on CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes. They are in the process of recording their next CD “Musica Baltica”, which will be released in 2017. The ensemble performs at many community events, including the Seattle Mariners game, as well as Baltic and Scandinavian concerts and celebrations. The Mägi Ensemble is an Affiliated Artist and a Resident Ensemble of Thomsen Chapel at St. Mark’s Cathedral.

Auditions or How to Join: Membership is by invitation, but we are always interested in hearing great musicians!