Why We Created Aeternum

When Bailey Cooke and I started Aeternum, we had a pretty ambitious goal: we wanted to build the best choir in the world.

I know that sounds cheesy. Maybe even unrealistic. But I also think that if you are going to put this much time, energy, and heart into creating something, you should be honest about what you want it to become.

Bailey is one of my lifelong friends, and music has always been a major part of our lives. For as long as I have known him, he has had an incredible ear, a clear artistic vision, and a deep love for music (especially choral music). He did not want to create just another choir. Together, we wanted to build an ensemble made up of some of the finest choral singers in the world — a group capable of performing at the highest level while still creating something that feels personal, moving, and real.

That is why we created Aeternum.

We wanted to bring together extraordinary singers from around the world and bring that sound to California, starting here in the Napa Valley. There is so much incredible choral talent in the world, and we believe audiences here deserve the opportunity to experience it up close. Eventually, our dream is to take Aeternum beyond California and share this ensemble with audiences around the world.

We are still at the beginning, but it has been amazing to see what this idea has already become.

In a short amount of time, we have brought together singers from across the United States and the United Kingdom, presented concerts we are incredibly proud of, and recently recorded our first professional album. Watching these musicians rehearse, perform, and spend time together has made it clear that Aeternum is becoming exactly what we hoped it could be: a group built around excellence, friendship, and a real love for the music.

For me, one of the most meaningful parts of this journey is seeing audiences respond to what Bailey and I have created together. Choral music can be deeply powerful when it is performed at this level. It can make a room feel completely still. It can bring people together. It can remind us why live music matters.

Aeternum is also about more than our performances. We want to build something lasting in our community. We want to inspire young musicians, introduce more people to this kind of music, and make Napa Valley a home for an ensemble that brings world-class artists together year after year.

We know this dream is ambitious. Building one of the world’s great choirs will take time, work, support, and a lot of belief from the people around us. But every concert, every rehearsal, every donor, and every audience member helps move us closer to that goal.

Bailey and I had a dream of bringing together the world’s best choral talent and creating something truly special. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together so far, and even more excited about where this journey may lead.

We are just getting started.