About Us

Blend of sound is one of our primary concerns, so that we are never simply a disparate group of session singers. Bearing in mind that every singer has a distinct individual timbre, combinations of voices are selected extremely carefully in order to achieve the specific vocal sound required for each project. We take the time to liaise with composers and conductors to establish exactly what sound they have in mind. Our in-house director, Micaela Haslam, then works with each team to achieve that sound prior to the first general rehearsal.

All our singers are accomplished, versatile musicians, renowned for their professionalism, enthusiasm (and rhythm!) Whilst having the flexibility of an unlimited pool of singers, our aim is always to generate the team-spirit of a fixed ensemble through enjoyment, commitment and hard work.

We also take pride in our efficient administration. Our wealth of experience guarantees a smooth-running and stress-free working environment.

Background

The group’s origins can be traced back to 1996 when Micaela, then a member of the Swingle Singers, was approached by the London Symphony Orchestra to sing Steve Reich’s Tehillim. She and her three female colleagues formed the ideal combination for a piece requiring a seamless vocal blend and rhythmic agility. The vocals were prepared under Micaela’s direction and Steve Reich was so delighted with the results that he asked her to put together another vocal ensemble for his new piece Three Tales, and for the first European recording and tour of Music for 18 Musicians.

In 1997 Micaela chose the name Synergy for the growing pool of singers and since then the group has developed into a highly respected team, renowned for its vocal blend, rhythmic precision and dynamic performances.

So Far

Closely associated with many leading contemporary composers, Synergy has performed in prestigious venues and festivals all over the world – in the UK (including the BBC Proms), Europe, the USA, Australia, and the Far East.  The group’s long-standing relationship with Steve Reich is well known, and Synergy Vocals is also the favoured vocal ensemble of many other composers including Louis Andriessen, Christian Henson, Steven Mackey and the composers of Bang on a Can.

Collaborating regularly with Ensemble Modern, Steve Reich & Musicians, Ictus and London Sinfonietta, Synergy has also sung with Asko Schönberg, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruckner Orchester, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Colin Currie Group, Dresdner Philharmonie, Ensemble Bash, L’Ensemble de Basse-Normandie, Ensemble InterContemporain, Hebrides Ensemble, Kroumata, London Symphony Orchestra, LA Philharmonic Orchestra, Lontano, musikFabrik, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Nexus, Orchestre National de Lille, Orchestre National de Lyon, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège, Orchestra of St Luke’s, Orquesta de Valencia, Percussion Claviers de Lyon, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Remix Ensemble, Het Residentie Orkest, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, St Louis Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia 21, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Smith Quartet, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Tempo Reale Ensemble, Tiroler Symphonieorchester and the Ulster Orchestra.  They have also performed in collaboration with the Royal Ballet (UK), Mark Baldwin (UK), Rosas (Belgium) and Opéra de Paris dance companies.

The group’s recordings include Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians with Ensemble Modern; Tehillim with LA Philharmonic/Stefan Asbury; Drumming with Ictus; Three Tales with Steve Reich & Musicians/Bradley Lubman; Steven Mackey’s Dreamhouse with BMOP/Gil Rose; Louis Andriessen’s De Staat with LA Philharmonic/Stefan Asbury; and Karl Jenkins’ Imagined Oceans.

Their voices can also be heard on an increasing number of films, soundtracks and TV advertisements, as well as pop backing tracks for a variety of bands including Funeral for a Friend, Example, Hikaru Utada, Kompendium and Henry Priestman.