What’s in a name? Everything and nothing when you are a member of the Sine Nomine Singers -- the group’s name means, literally, "without a name."

The reason behind the name is quite simple.

"We had a concert lined up but we didn’t have a name," explains artistic director and founder Gary Anderson. "So I suggested it as a lark and it stuck because we couldn’t come up with something better. Whenever I tried to interest them in talking about names, they would rather sing and told me just to keep the name Sine Nomine Singers."

And so they have. This group of music professionals would rather sing than spend time on selecting a name for their group. This trend has continued for the past eight years, with the group concentrating on their music, excluding all else when they are together.

Of course, that concentration is needed due to the group’s lofty goals and intense performance calendar, a matter complicated by the fact that they all have hectic work schedules.

For example, on top of his responsibilities to the Sine Nomine Singers, Anderson is a professor of music at Transylvania University, as well as director of music for First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. Most of the group’s members are spread equally thin.

"Most of us are professionals," says Anderson. "We either perform, conduct or teach music for a living."

The 20-member group rehearses only five times before each concert. Given the level at which the group performs and the fact that their selections are performed in the original language, rehearsals are intense, to say the least. However, they are not willing to compromise on quality.

"We strive for a very high level of performance," Anderson notes. "That is our ultimate goal."

Music that spans the ages

The group’s name also works well on a number of levels.

"It doesn’t connect us with one kind of music," he continues, "which is good because we perform so many different kinds."

In fact, the Sine Nomine Singers have gained quite a reputation for providing diverse and uncommon musical selections. They perform music written from the 14th century to present-day with everything in between, including classical, popular, spirituals and show tunes.

While the Sine Nomine Singers perform the music of highly regarded composers, many of the pieces they perform are relatively unknown.

"We search for pieces not normally done; we look for the exceptional work," he continues. "We love learning new pieces."

Appealing to the emotions

The Singers also strive to create a close relationship with their audience, he explains.

"We provide an intimate experience with vocal music," he says. "It’s more of a chamber experience than a concert hall experience."

One way the group achieves this effect is by carefully choosing pieces for each concert that will appeal to the audience emotions and senses.

"Every concert covers all the emotions of the human experience," he points out. "It is a tremendous experience."

The Sine Nomine Singers’ final performance of the season will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Transylvania’s Carrick Theater. Featuring Brahm’s love song waltzes, "A Night for Dancing" will include songs about dance, songs with dance themes and songs with dance rhythms.

"We plan to work our way around the world to feature dance songs and we will have some dancers to perform with the music," Anderson concludes. "It should be fun."

For information about the Sine Nomine Singers or to obtain tickets, call 606/233-8141 or 606/259-0198.

Deanna Mascle is a staff writer for The Lane Report.