Monterey Herald
"The vocal ensemble Vajra Voices program “In a Medieval Garden” showcased Vajra’s all-female ensemble beginning with stunningly executed music of Hildegard of Bingen. Sacred chant to songs of courtly love were accompanied by medieval harp, bells, vielle and citole. The vocal and instrumental artistry of this group in the vaulted setting of Santa Cruz’s Holy Cross Church made a powerful impression. The 47-year-old Festival’s artistic director Linda Burman-Hall said ____Many people have spoken to us saying it was their all-time favorite. And the musicologists who teach this but have not heard it live before were in heaven!” Barbara Rose Shuler, Intermezzo
"The vocal ensemble Vajra Voices program “In a Medieval Garden” showcased Vajra’s all-female ensemble beginning with stunningly executed music of Hildegard of Bingen. Sacred chant to songs of courtly love were accompanied by medieval harp, bells, vielle and citole. The vocal and instrumental artistry of this group in the vaulted setting of Santa Cruz’s Holy Cross Church made a powerful impression. The 47-year-old Festival’s artistic director Linda Burman-Hall said ____Many people have spoken to us saying it was their all-time favorite. And the musicologists who teach this but have not heard it live before were in heaven!” Barbara Rose Shuler, Intermezzo
San Francisco Classical Voice
"Vajra Voices moves, breathes and sings as one, with a striking level of vocal artistry, unbelievable accuracy and precision, and an obvious delight in performing this kind of music in this unique ensemble." Niels Swinkels, January 9, 2018
Vajra Voices Gives Soul-Stirring New Year's Concert
"Vajra Voices moves, breathes and sings as one, with a striking level of vocal artistry, unbelievable accuracy and precision, and an obvious delight in performing this kind of music in this unique ensemble." Niels Swinkels, January 9, 2018
Vajra Voices Gives Soul-Stirring New Year's Concert
Choir & Organ Magazine
"The seven women of Vajra Voices – richly voiced, contrasted individuals who shine as soloists or conspire without egotism in vivid, full-blooded ensemble – sing out with tremendous intensity. Led by the wide emotional spectrum of Karen R. Clark’s contralto, the shimmering resonance of their elegantly paced performances with entirely credible phrasing and selection of note lengths, coloured at times by instrumental accompaniment, vocal drones, and oganum (sparing and tasteful), is delightful. Lovely, thoughtful, and inspiring instrumentals adorn this, the most convincing Hildegard disc I’ve yet heard from the USA." Rebecca Tavener, September/October 2016
"The seven women of Vajra Voices – richly voiced, contrasted individuals who shine as soloists or conspire without egotism in vivid, full-blooded ensemble – sing out with tremendous intensity. Led by the wide emotional spectrum of Karen R. Clark’s contralto, the shimmering resonance of their elegantly paced performances with entirely credible phrasing and selection of note lengths, coloured at times by instrumental accompaniment, vocal drones, and oganum (sparing and tasteful), is delightful. Lovely, thoughtful, and inspiring instrumentals adorn this, the most convincing Hildegard disc I’ve yet heard from the USA." Rebecca Tavener, September/October 2016
Audiophile Audition, International Online Magazine
“A special vocal group is required to do justice to Hildegard’s music, and we have it here in Vajra Voices, an ensemble of seven women dedicated to mediaeval and modern music. Contralto Karen Clark is the director, and the only instrumental accompaniment is by Shira Kammen on mediaeval harp, and a bowed-stringed instrument called the vielle. A hearty recommendation for this album. I very much enjoyed the full CD of music by Hildegard von Bingen.”
---Paul Kennedy, November 4, 2016
“A special vocal group is required to do justice to Hildegard’s music, and we have it here in Vajra Voices, an ensemble of seven women dedicated to mediaeval and modern music. Contralto Karen Clark is the director, and the only instrumental accompaniment is by Shira Kammen on mediaeval harp, and a bowed-stringed instrument called the vielle. A hearty recommendation for this album. I very much enjoyed the full CD of music by Hildegard von Bingen.”
---Paul Kennedy, November 4, 2016
American Record Guide
"Vajra Voices, under the direction of Karen R. Clark, offers a very fine survey of nearly every genre of chant represented in Hildegard’s repertory—antiphons, responsories, hymns, and sequences. Clark herself has a beautiful voice that shows flexibility and nuance through the very broad range that Hildegard covers in her chants. Her performance of the antiphon ‘O Quam Magnum Miraculum Est’ to Shira Kammen’s vielle accompaniment is gorgeous." Peter Loewen, September 2016
"Vajra Voices, under the direction of Karen R. Clark, offers a very fine survey of nearly every genre of chant represented in Hildegard’s repertory—antiphons, responsories, hymns, and sequences. Clark herself has a beautiful voice that shows flexibility and nuance through the very broad range that Hildegard covers in her chants. Her performance of the antiphon ‘O Quam Magnum Miraculum Est’ to Shira Kammen’s vielle accompaniment is gorgeous." Peter Loewen, September 2016
Repeat Performances
"Vajra Voices - an unexpected treat- electric! This seven-voice women’s ensemble, led by Karen R. Clark, delivered the religious music of Hildegard von Bingen in slow, modal statements. Their pure harmonies explored and hallowed a women’s heritage that is nearly one thousand years old, but it felt not only contemporary but almost electric."
---Adam Broner/San Francisco Music Day, 2016
"Vajra Voices - an unexpected treat- electric! This seven-voice women’s ensemble, led by Karen R. Clark, delivered the religious music of Hildegard von Bingen in slow, modal statements. Their pure harmonies explored and hallowed a women’s heritage that is nearly one thousand years old, but it felt not only contemporary but almost electric."
---Adam Broner/San Francisco Music Day, 2016
San Francisco Chronicle
"The chant melodies, rendered here with heartfelt elegance by the women’s chorus Vajra Voices under the direction of Karen R. Clark, are striking in both their shapeliness and the spiritual fervor that runs through them."
---Joshua Kosman
"The chant melodies, rendered here with heartfelt elegance by the women’s chorus Vajra Voices under the direction of Karen R. Clark, are striking in both their shapeliness and the spiritual fervor that runs through them."
---Joshua Kosman
SF Gate
"The music — vocal excerpts by 12th century composer Hildegard von Bingen dispatched splendidly by Vajra Voices — was the most substantial of the evening."
---Allen Ulrich
"The music — vocal excerpts by 12th century composer Hildegard von Bingen dispatched splendidly by Vajra Voices — was the most substantial of the evening."
---Allen Ulrich
San Francisco Classical Voice
"Vajra Voices Embodies Hildegard."
---Feature Article by Trista Bernstein
"Vajra Voices Embodies Hildegard."
---Feature Article by Trista Bernstein
Dance Commentary
"Garrett+Moulton's Divining was a standout piece. Prayerful, spiritual and meditative, but not at all quiet or solemn. A glorious all-female sextet– Vajra Voices directed by Karen R. Clark– sang the early music of Hildegard von Bingen." Heather Desaulniers
"Garrett+Moulton's Divining was a standout piece. Prayerful, spiritual and meditative, but not at all quiet or solemn. A glorious all-female sextet– Vajra Voices directed by Karen R. Clark– sang the early music of Hildegard von Bingen." Heather Desaulniers