It is clear from the first page of the program listing the credentials and accomplishments of Vocal Arts Ensemble music director Earl Rivers that he knows what goes into creating beautiful music.

        In addition to serving as music director and conductor of the 24-person vocal group for the 13th season, he is also a professor of music at the University of Cincinnati' College-Conservatory of Music as well as the head of the college's division of Ensembles and Conducting.

        His conducting style for Saturday's Holiday Concert at the Athenaeum of Ohio in Mount Washington was passionate and energetic, and his rapport with the singers and audience revealed a driven desire to put vocal arts on the map in Cincinnati.

        Singers took turns introducing themselves — offering miniature music history lessons about certain composers and their works. But it's like Duke Ellington said,“It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.”

        A little less academia might have made the audience less fidgety during longer pieces like Ottorino Respighi's glorious “Lauda per la Nativita del Signore” (Laud to the Nativity). And for an ensemble known for performing in venues almost as exquisite as the music, the fact that the church kept the house lights on during the concert didn't help either.

        But those who braved the bad weather to attend (and many did because every pew was occupied) still saw a show worth the difficult drive.

        A 15th-century Spanish piece the ensemble performed while walking down the aisles of the church, one member beating a tambourine, (“E la Don Don, Verges Maria” by an anonymous Spanish composer) and a modern work by a New Orleans composer (Moses Hogan's “Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King”) were uplifting and inspirational. An English playing song (“There was a Pig” by Percy Grainger) sung by only female voices was humorous and affectionate.

        Through careful phrasing, dynamics that added dimension and texture, and soloists who just might have perfect pitch, the ensemble was able to convey the poignancy of every piece. A most poignant point was made at the end of the concert, when the audience was asked to sing the chorus to the French carol “Il est ne le Divin Enfant” and “Deck the Halls” (both arranged by Derek Holman). The point — there's a reason we were in the audience and not on stage.

        It was, however, one of the more engaging moments of the concert. Maybe next time the Vocal Arts Ensemble won't save the sing along for the end.

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