Vox Olympia’s upcoming concert — 'Breviary'

Originally published on The JOLT News on February 3, 2026

Chatting with people these last few weeks, I have noticed some conversational trends and common phrases, including “Brrr it is so cold outside!” and “Did you hear about (insert headline), how awful!” The days we live in contain a certain chill that expands beyond the weather itself, and it is hard to not want to sink into it, give up, and dwell in the despair of it all.  

Normally, I would suggest to hold on to the promises of the spring yet to come, but I think there might be a better way: attend a show, specifically Vox Olympia’s “Breviary” on Feb. 6. Click here for more event information. 

Corresponding with Director and Conductor Dr. John Guarente, I learned about the many ways this concert will invite the audience to find warmth in music and meaning in this moment. Much of the discussion was focused around the title piece of this concert,  “A Winter Breviary” by composer Reena Esmail.  

Writing this column gave my heart a little hope and brightened my spirits, and I hope it has a similar effect on you after reading it and attending the concert.  

The program 

Saint Michael Parish is the perfect venue for this concert because of the nature of the program. For those unfamiliar with the Catholic church, the term “breviary” refers to a book containing the order for a sacred service or just the order of service itself, and of course music is a big part of this.

Dr. Guarente described how “the concert itself contains mostly sacred works (with only two secular works) that we will sing roughly in the order they would appear in a church service.” 

The program includes Franz Biebl’s Ave Maria, Alessandro Scarlatti’s Exultate Deo and Muusika by Pärt Uusberg, which is a “secular meditation on music and harmony.” The program will also feature guest musicians — oboist Karen Gheorghiu and organist Dan Colgan (who is also a vocalist for Vox) 

'A Winter Breviary' 

The title for the “Breviary” concert is also fitting because one of the pieces will be “A Winter Breviary” by composer Reena Esmail, but here is the plot twist: it is one of the two non-sacred pieces that will be featured in the concert.

“Though it could certainly be used as a collection of carols,” Dr. Guarente explained, “it contains no direct references to Christianity and is meant to be more about the winter solstice.”  

Putting together these ideas of a sacred order with the winter solstice invites deeper contemplation, poetry and purpose to this moment.

“It can be said that our country is going through some difficult times right now,” Dr. Guarente said. “Esmail’s piece talks about the darkest night of the year, and emerging from the bitter cold of the winter with new life and unbounded energy. Perhaps this piece can inspire us to trust in hope that there are better times to come.” 

 Esmail is a modern Indian American composer whose story is inspirational, whose work is heartfelt, intentional, innovative, and a reminder that diversity makes our society beautiful.

Guarente shared that she is one of his favorite living composers.

“Esmail’s works successfully combine idioms from Western classical music and Indian classical music in a unique style that is accessible to all,” Dr. Guarente stated. “If you watch interviews with her, you can tell that she is a joyful human that is happy to share her art and her culture with the world.” Read more about her here or watch this interview. 

Support Vox Olympia 

 What makes Vox Olympia so unique is its professional caliber and ability to enchant, educate and expand the musical horizons of their audiences. 

Vox Olympia is a nonprofit organization that runs entirely on donations, much of which comes from “our fan base here in Olympia,” Dr. Guarente says.

He added, “When we first began, we weren’t sure if this would be sustainable. But we are going into our fourth year, and our audience continues to grow little by little.” 

By donating to Vox Olympia, people are helping the organization pay for musicians, music, programs and all the things that make the concerts possible.

“If our donations continue to increase, we can hopefully give more concerts and look towards making professional recordings of our group to share with our audience.” Dr. Guarente shared.  

Visit their website to learn more about how you can be a part of the effort to help Vox Olympia flourish. You can also donate to them in person at the concert! 

 I look forward to seeing you at the concert!  

 Click here for more event information. 

https://thejoltnews.com/stories/vox-olympias-upcoming-concert-breviary,28036