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Dorothy Barnhart - Artistic Director, Conductor and Founder |
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| A native of Kansas, Dorothy Barnhart received her degree in music education from Kansas University and a Master’s Degree in music education from Wichita State University. She moved to New Haven, Connecticut in 1979 where she established Barnhart Voice Studio while studying conducting under Maestro Otto Werner Mueller during his tenure at Yale University. At the same time she was director of music at the First United Methodist Church in Meriden, conducting choirs and a brass ensemble.
She directed Wallingford Chorus from 1990 through 1996 and taught voice in the music department of Choate Rosemary Hall for a number of years. Ms. Barnhart studied voice with master teachers Madam Marga Mueller in New Haven and Madam Eva Likova in New York City. Ms. Barnhart was fortunate to sing under Robert Shaw's direction during her college years in Kansas. Later in her career she attended one-week Robert Shaw Choral Workshops held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She has participated as a conductor at the Keene Choral Festival under Dennis Keene, Master Conductor, held at the Kent School in Kent, CT. She attends the Connecticut American Choral Directors Association conference whenever possible.
In 2004 she attended the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference, "And all the Jazz", in New Orleans. In the summer of 2007 she participated in "Tools for Singing" workshop in Newport, RI, also presented by NATS. Chorus America’s "A Cappella Conducting Master Class" workshop held in Houston, TX, January 2010, gave Ms. Barnhart the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals and to refine her A Cappella teaching skills. In July, 2011, Ms Barnhart attended a Vocal Pedagogy Workshop sponsored by The Boston Conservatory. It was a rare opportunity for her to acquire the latest information regarding Voice Production and Vocal Health, and to observe internationally acclaimed master teachers of voice such as Tony Gonzalez, recipient of the prestigious National Citation Award as the Nation’s Outstanding Music Educator Of the Year Award. These musical experiences have been exciting and beneficial to her professional development.
In addition to directing Chorale Connecticut, Ms. Barnhart teaches voice in her Southington studio and is director of the hand bell choir at the First United Methodist Church in Meriden. She was the director of Travelers Choral Club, a non-profit organization under the umbrella (no pun intended!) of Travelers Insurance of Hartford from 2006 to 2009. She currently studies singing with professional soloist and master teacher, Beverly Myers, in New York City and Robert Edwin, master teacher specializing in Broadway technique, Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
Yes, Dorothy is from Kansas. However, after living in Connecticut for 33 years, New England has become her second home. She shares her full, rich life with Hannah Blue, a delightful and energetic six-year-old standard poodle. |
A Note from Dorothy
Music is my life. It began in a small rural community in Southwest Kansas. I remember the first time I heard music. I was three years old; the marching band was practicing its maneuvers in front of our house. The sound of those rhythemic drums and pounding feet stays with me to this day. Special teachers in my life have fostered my joy of music leading me to my present place directing students and adults in my studio and in rehearsal with Chorale Connecticut. My first singing teacher was Mrs. King - a dramatic and passionate former opera soprano who gave lessons to my siblings and me. I remember one exercise in particular; at the start of each choral reading lesson we recited the poetry of “The White Cliffs of Dover” mimicking the actions with the inflections of our very loud elementary school voices. Her discipline and structure are the core of my teaching methods. Another noteworthy influence was Mr. Rawlands. His instruction emphasized rhythm using drum sticks and a pad on a seemingly endlessly daily basis. These stellar teachers, along with many other musicians, built my skills giving me as a youngster a sense of self worth and pride in accomplishment. I hear the echo of their voices and feel their passions around me as I teach. My mission is to lead others as I have been led. When I listen to an immature voice gathering air, reaching for a high note, finding the right pitch, and giving way to the music, I glow with pride and gratitude. I am blessed in my past and my present living a life of Music. |
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Sandy Antonelli - Accompanist |
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Sandra Antonelli was born and raised in the small town of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, she attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio and received her Bachelor’s of music degree in Piano Performance and Music Education. She has accompanied high school and adult choruses as solo instrumentalists and vocalists all through her career. She has also taught choral music in the public schools.
In addition to being the accompanist for Chorale Connecticut since its inception in 1996, Sandra is the accompanist for the Wallingford Chorus, the Church of the Resurrection choir and the Hopkins Concert Choir, joining them on five European concerts in Hungary, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Bavaria, and Austria. For fifteen years she was a music teacher and accompanist for Kidsong, a two week vocal music camp for students ages 7 through 14 located in Woodbridge, Connecticut. Sandra also was the accompanist for the Lyman Hall High School Chorus for many years.
She lives with her husband Tony in Wallingford, Connecticut where she teaches piano. They are parents of two daughters and three sons and enjoy time with their nine grandchildren. |
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Board of Directors |
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Dorothy A. Barnhart |
Artistic Director
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Joan Kilby
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President |
| Terry L. Doyle |
Vice President |
Karen Ripa
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Secretary |
| Florence Thibodeau |
Treasurer |
| Sandra L. Antonelli |
Accompanist - ex officio |
| Suzanne Simpson |
Fundraising Coordinator |
| Christine B. Balanda |
Chorale Liaison |
| Flora Sittnick |
Publicity Chairman |
Chris Pearsall
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Program Ad Coordinator
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Maureen Binder
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Event Coordinator
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Edgar Flynn
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Member at Large |
Janet Flynn
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Member at Large |
| Nancy Lauretano |
Executive Secretary |
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Our Mission Statement |
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Music transforms life. As such, Chorale Connecticut strives to uplift the spirit by fostering the enjoyment and appreciation of choral music while promoting community involvement in the arts.
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Our Identity |
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Chorale Connecticut is a chamber ensemble of mixed voices. We are dedicated to providing high quality performances of diverse choral music. These works are presented in the style originally intended by the composer.
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Our Goals |
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- Continually expand our repertoire through the performance of substantial
works by composers from the Renaissance through the 21st century.
- Increase the Chorale membership to fifty singers while maintaining balance of vocal parts.
- Develop a strong base of supporters to assist in the achievement of our mission. This group
will be composed of business and community leaders who have an active interest in the arts.
- Collaborate with other musical organizations through combined performances.
- Promote choral singing among young people by encouraging qualified high school
and college students to sing with the Chorale.
- Bring the Chorale's music to Central Connecticut and other communities outside of Connecticut.
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