Biography
“Beckemeyer returned shortly thereafter to display the advantage of presenting soloists of different expressive capabilities as he sang [Thou shalt break them.]”
“...an apt flourish at slowed final cadences, starting with tenor Blake Beckemeyer’s picturesque “rough places” in the oratorio’s first aria.”
Tenor Blake Beckemeyer thrives on performing a wide range of musical works, from newly-composed pieces to small-ensemble renderings of sixteenth- through eighteenth-century German and British compositions. His most memorable performance to date is singing the Evangelist and arias with Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra last spring. His passion for diverse musical styles has led him to collaborate with renowned ensembles such as Seraphic Fire, based in Miami, and Washington-based ensembles Washington Bach Consort and The Thirteen.
In the coming season, Beckemeyer celebrates the release of two more discs: a all-Christmas affair with Seraphic Fire, and a Washington Bach Consort release featuring a Trevor Weston commission. He also takes the stage for the first time with the New York Philharmonic and Jeannette Sorell in performances of Israel in Egypt by Handel. He also makes his Cantata series debut in the spring with Dana Marsh in BWV 103, “Ihr werdet weinen und heulen.”
In previous seasons, Beckemeyer has had the opportunity to lend his vocal talents to an array of esteemed groups, including The Thirteen, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Spire Chamber Ensemble, True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Tonos del Sur, Charlotte Bach Akademie, Bach Ensemble-Helmuth Rilling, Vox Orchester & Choir, the Weimar Bach Kantate Akademie, the Berwick Chorus of the Oregon Bach Festival, Border CrosSing, and the early music festivals in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and Amherst. In the Indianapolis area, he serves as a staff singer with Christ Church Cathedral. His discography includes releases by Acis Productions with The Thirteen and Deutsche Harmonia Mundi with Vox Orchester.
In his discography and recording history, Beckemeyer has been involved in two projects that earned nominations for prestigious awards. As a member of Vox Orchester and Choir, he appeared as chorister on a disc, Alexander's Feast, that received multiple nominations for Opus Klassiks. Additionally, the video recording of the Runestad Earth Symphony, in which Beckemeyer appeared as a choir member, earned two Rocky Mountain Emmy awards. He has also appeared as soloist on Ordway The Outer Edge of Youth and Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 recordings. Beckemeyer is a member of The Recording Academy.
He holds degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music;s Historical Performance Institute and DePauw University and lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Shannon. In extramusical pursuits, Beckemeyer works as a software engineer specializing in data analytics and environment infrastructure.