Lynn Gumert
Composing a Life through Creativity
Zorzal (Spanish for wood thrush) is a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to the performance of Spanish and Latin American music from the 12th century to the present. We focus on works that reflect how musical elements from Spain are influenced by and influence other musical cultures, including those from African, Native American, Sephardic, Arabic and other European sources.
We ourselves are a crossroads, bringing together a variety of musical backgrounds, education, and experience. Some of us are educators; several of us have extensive experience performing folk music, both American and Latin American. Our interpretations are based on ethnomusicological and musicological research, as well as on knowledge of classical and jazz composition.
Our performance practice is at a crossroads between folk vernaculars and classical training, and our mission is at the crossroads of education and pure performance. We perform in a variety of Spanish dialects as well as in Ladino (Sephardic Jewish) and Native American Quechua (Inca) and Náhuatl (Aztec).
As Artistic Director of Zorzal Music Ensemble, I research and arrange the music we perform, and also compose new works for the ensemble.
Zorzal has flexible instrumentation, from duo to small chamber ensemble. We feature vocal harmonies, recorders, guitar, harpsichord, viola da gamba, and Latin American, Arab, and African percussion.
For more information about the group and our repertoire, please visit our website at zorzal.org.