Who we are
Early music choirs specialize in performing vocal music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque periods. Their sound is often described as exceptionally pure and luminous. Unlike many modern choirs, singers typically use very little vibrato and focus on producing a straight, blended tone. This allows the individual voices to merge seamlessly, creating a clear and transparent sound where the harmonies can be heard with remarkable detail.
Much of this repertoire, including works by composers such as Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, was written for sacred settings where balance and clarity were essential. Early music choirs are usually smaller ensembles, which further enhances the precision of tuning and blend. When sung in resonant spaces like churches, the harmonies naturally bloom and linger in the air, giving the music an almost floating quality.
The result is a style of singing that feels both intimate and timeless. By emphasizing purity of tone, careful tuning, and historical performance practices, ensembles recreate a sound world that is serene, transparent, and deeply moving.
New Director:
Mark Johnson 2026 - Present
Originally trained in England and with decades of choral directing experience to draw on, Mark Johnson is taking on the job of Artistic Director for Sine Nomine Choral Ensemble’s 2026/27 season.
“I have known Mark for many years, dating back to when he ran a very successful children and adult choirs at Grace Episcopal Church in Providence,” said Tom Cardea, Sine Nomine’s Past President. “He’s a brilliant director (and organist, by the way), and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Mark has been inspired by music in the church for as long as he can remember. He started as Assistant Organist at Christ Church, Andover, MA, in 1974, and became Organist and Choirmaster there shortly after completing his time as a pupil at the King's School, Canterbury.
Over the past five decades, Mark has served churches in New York, Kentucky, and Rhode Island, most notably as Director of Music at Grace Episcopal and the Cathedral of St. John in Providence.
Beyond parish commitments, he served as a musician to the House of Bishops throughout the term of the late Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, and taught singing and played the organ at St. George's School (2004-2019).
Currently, in addition to leading Sine Nomine Choral Ensemble, Mark is Director of Music at the historic Zabriskie Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist in Newport, RI.
Mark will be leading Sine Nomine in a pair of holiday concerts titled “Sing We All Nowell”. Visit our Choral Events Page for information and tickets.
Past Directors:
While attending graduate courses at Brown, Giuttari assisted in the founding of The Providence Singers, a choral performing group based in the Providence area. The Harpsichord Clearing House specializes in the global sale, restoration and repair of new and used historical keyboard instruments.
Glenn Giuttari, Founder 1993-2005
Cited by the Huffington Post for his “inner sense of creative flow, fueled by an abundance of musical imagination and desire,” harpsichordist Paul Cienniwa has an active career as a soloist, ensemble player, recording artist, and teacher. He strives to bring the harpsichord to new audiences by creating a spiritual communion through focused interpretations intensified by memorized repertoire.
Paul Cienniwa 2006-2013
Dr. Joseph Fort is a conductor, musicologist, and Senior Lecturer in Music at King's College London, where he has served as College Organist & Director of the Chapel Choir since 2015. He directs the choir in services, recordings, and tours, with a research focus on 18th-century music and dance.
Joseph Fort 2013-2015
Dan Ryan is a Boston-based conductor, composer, and artistic leader known for his imaginative vision, theatrical flair, and musical precision. He is also the Co-Founder of the Gena Branscombe Project, dedicated to the recovery and digitization of lost musical works by early twentieth-century women composers, while supporting emerging conductors, composers, and arts administrators through scholarships and mentorship.
Daniel P. Ryan 2015-2017
John Verkuilen 2018-2020
Michael Galib is a pianist, composer, and conductor with over 15 years of teaching experience. He was formerly Artistic Director of the Sine Nomine Choral Ensemble and Music Director at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County. He performed as a pianist with the Rhode Island All-State Choruses, as well as other top youth choruses in the area, and served as asst. conductor of the Providence Singers for seven seasons.
Michael Galib 2021-2024
