A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

While rummaging around the plethora of Vernon Chorale historical documents, I ran across a document from 2004 explaining a “unique opportunity for talented college and university students in Connecticut” which would result in “a hands-on musician-in-training program.”  The document was asking the community for support of VC’s Choral Fellowship program chartered, it said, in our 2003-2004 season. Here we are 21 years later and not only Choral Fellowships, but our Conducting Fellowship Award, which officially began 2015, have become a vital part of who we are and what we aim to accomplish.

Some of you may have noticed the slight change to our mission statement. The addition of “while supporting young musicians” was added in order to reflect our ever-growing passion to support the young choral artists living in our community. This past June, we had four fledgling conductors audition for our Conducting Fellowship Award. They attended Eastern CT State University, Western CT State University, UCONN, and Hartt. Word of this opportunity is out, the talent is great, the applicants outstanding. Deciding who will step on our podium? Difficult. We are proud of the exceptional experiences we offer Connecticut’s future choral singers, music teachers, and conductors.

This season, we welcome Conducting Fellow, Audrey Rivetta, a recent graduate of UCONN who stepped into the role confidently and seamlessly, and our Choral Fellows, Anthony Martini and Maggie Murray.  Anthony, a sophomore at UCONN, is sharing his voice with the tenor section and his palpable enthusiasm for the art of choral singing with us all.  Maggie also attends UCONN. She was eager to join us when she learned of the opportunity through Anthony.  She is lending her voice to our soprano section.  All our fellows are wonderful additions to our VC family.

The Board of Directors has also begun exploring new educational initiatives that would include high school music students. By offering an opportunity for students to engage with a community choir of adults of differing backgrounds, we believe the experience would be meaningful and demonstrate to students that choral singing can be a rewarding lifelong enjoyment.

All that said, we heartily welcome you to our 44^th season of excellent choral performances! As usual, our Artistic Director Ehren Brown, Collaborative Pianist, Kathleen Bartkowski, our Board of Directors, and talented singers of all ages have been working hard to offer you top-notch performances which includes music from all over the world and intended to inspire and uplift your spirits.

Enjoy!