Holst-Grubbe tops iTunes classical chart

SHARON — Sharon native Allison Holst-Grubbe is a member of the Etherea Vocal Ensemble whose debut CD, “Ceremony of Carols,” was in the top three on the iTunes classical music chart for three weeks last month. It also hit number 14 (out of 200) on the Billboard classical chart.The album was released to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other online musical outlets on Nov. 15. Locally it is available at Oblong Books and Music in Millerton.The Etherea Vocal Ensemble is a chamber choir of seven women and one man and was founded in 2008. Based out of New Haven and Fairfield, their performance debut was in December 2009.The group performs the choral repertoire for treble voices. They specialize in music of the Romantic era. Holst-Grubbe now lives in Glastonbury but is a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education and Vocal Performance at Ithaca College School of Music and then did graduate work at the University of Connecticut. She has been teaching music, mainly in Hartford, and is an active recitalist, soloist and vocal ensemble member in the greater Hartford and New Haven area. Here in the Northwest Corner, she is known and loved for her performances at public gatherings — notably the annual Memorial Day service at the war memorial.Holst-Grubbe said she grew up in a musical home and she has been singing all her life.“My first solo performance was in a preschool talent show, and I’ve been singing ever since.” While music is Holst-Grubbe’s lifelong passion, she is also passionate about her work as an educator. She is a program manager at a children’s literacy nonprofit agency in Hartford and coordinates reading enrichment programs for low-income, at-risk children in the greater Hartford area. When asked if she envisions a time when she would sing professionally on a full-time basis, Holst-Grubbe said, “I have no idea. It is not something I have pursued as a full-time job. I enjoy having each foot in a different world.”Concerning her group’s debut album going to the top of the classical music charts, she said, “I’m thrilled. It’s been a privilege to work with these really fine musicians and wonderful people, and I learned a lot in the process.”