THE KING’S COUNTERPOINT

Choral Music to Stir the Soul

ABOUT THE KING'S COUNTERPOINT

Co-founded in 2014 by Dr. Judith Overcash Acres and David Acres, The King’s Counterpoint is a unique professional vocal ensemble that specializes in the performance of sacred and secular music from the Middle Ages through the modern era, combining polyphony, literature, art and dialogue to create exceptional music presented within an historical context. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, and utilizing vocalists from in and around the Lowcountry, KCP has as its primary mission the exploration of the variety and beauty found in a cappella vocal music: from chant to 20th-century, medieval carols to the avant-garde, The King's Counterpoint is committed to the creation of delightful programs designed to entertain, educate, and above all to stir the soul.

Though a relatively new ensemble, KCP has behind it a rich history of choral excellence and experience.

Trained from the age of six in the English Choral tradition, David Acres, Musical Director and professional countertenor, brings with him an extensive background in both the direction and performance of multiple genres of a cappella music. He has founded and directed numerous successful ensembles throughout the UK, and continues in his role of Musical Director for all three of The King's Counterpoint's 'sister' ensembles: Contrapunctus Early Music (Cleveland, Ohio), Cantores Charleston (SC), and Counterpoint (Exeter, UK). Tenor, countertenor and Assistant Director Gregory Pittman is an award-winning music educator whose choirs have earned Superior ratings in adjudicated festivals and whose students routinely earn acceptance into auditioned honor choirs throughout the Southeast. He is a 2017 GRAMMY Music Educator Award nominee, serves as President of the South Carolina Music Educators Association Choral Division, and has served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Charleston Southern University where he taught voice, music education, music appreciation, and directed CSU’s men’s choir. Associate Musical Director, organist and professional baritone Paul Thomas holds a Master of Music degree and Certificate in Church Music Studies from the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music, and is also an accomplished choral director, bringing with him a wealth of experience in leading youth, University, and adult choirs. And Executive Artistic Director Dr. Judith Acres is a professional Soprano and educator, holding both Master's and Doctoral Degrees in Historical Performance Practices and having served as Adjunct Faculty in music history, vocal pedagogy, graduate research methodology and applied voice at The College of Charleston, Hiram College, and Case Western Reserve University, where she also directed the CWRU Women's Choir. In addition to co-founding Contrapunctus Early Music, The King's Counterpoint and Cantores Charleston with Mr. Acres, she is currently the Executive Artistic Director of all three ensembles and co-Manages Counterpoint (UK).