countertenor
Praised by the New York Times for his “clear voice and attractive timbre” and San Francisco Classical Voice for his “flawless singing,” Grammy Award Winner Ian Howell sings with a warm and seamless tone rarely heard from countertenors. In 2006, Mr. Howell won First Prize at The American Bach Soloists International Solo Competition with an acclaimed performance of Bach’s Cantata BWV 170, Vergnügte Ruh, and Third Prize at the Oratorio Society of New York’s Vocal Competition. Ian Howell’s début solo CD, 1685 and the Art of Ian Howell with The American Bach Soloists was released in March 2009 and features repertory by Domenico Scarlatti, J.S. Bach, and Handel. He can also be heard with the all male chamber choir Chanticleer on one DVD and eight CDs, including the GRAMMY AWARD winning Lamentations and Praises and the GRAMMY nominated Our American Journey.
His 2009-2010 season features solo débuts with the Ravinia Festival (Beginner’s Ear), The Handel Choir of Baltimore (Messiah), The Hudson Valley Singers (Handel’s Susanna – Joacim), Chatham Baroque (Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and J.C. Bach’s Lamento), Musica Angelica (Bach St. John Passion), and in recital at The Columbus Guitar Society in Ohio. He will return for performances with The American Bach Soloists (Messiah) and The Staunton Music Festival.
In recent seasons Mr. Howell has appeared with ensembles and orchestras across the USA and Canada, including The American Bach Soloists, The Oratorio Society of New York, Musica Sacra, The Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, The Vancouver Chamber Choir, The Portland Baroque Orchestra, The Berkshire Choral Festival, The Princeton Glee Club, Tableau Baroque, and The Choir of St Thomas Fifth Ave (NYC). He holds a Master of Music Degree in Voice conferred jointly by the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and the Yale School of Music.