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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact: Lisa Nappi
General Contact: [email protected]
Phone: 860-747-1022
Website: www.gmchorale.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gmchorale/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmchorale @gmchorale
Mailing Address: GMChorale, P.O. Box 527, Middletown, CT 06457
The GMChorale Announces its 2020 – 2021
Virtual Season of Choral Enrichment
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. (September 8, 2020) — The GMChorale is proud to present a Virtual Season of Choral Enrichment for their 2020-2021 season beginning on September 8th. Since performing live concerts in 2020 continues to be prohibited due to COVID-19, the GMChorale will meet on Zoom, as they have been since March. Internet sessions will focus on improving performance skills, building ear training and musical literacy, and studying choral music history to enhance musicianship for a time when the GMChorale is able to perform again.
Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM will primarily incorporate physical and vocal warmups, full group rehearsal periods, and smaller voice sectionals to create a fulfilling online rehearsal experience. Member accompanists and vocal coaches in each of the breakout “rooms” will assist singers in learning their music. Music will feature J.S. Bach’s Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in todesbanden; F. Schubert’s Mass in G Major; and W.A. Mozart’s Sancta Maria.
In addition, the season will include several virtual events and livestream performances. In January 2021, GMChorale will present a three-part speaker series to explore the impact of racial diversity, gender identity, homelessness, and PTSD on choral music.
New Singers. All who are interested in singing with the GMChorale have the unique opportunity of trying out rehearsals on September 22, September 29, and/or October 6, as well as meeting the Conductor, before committing to the season. Please call New Member Coordinator, Margie Livengood, at 860-633-6198, or email [email protected], to learn more about joining the GMChorale.
For more information, please visit www.gmchorale.org. Registration forms are available at https://forms.gle/k7hqyV82L3dF4oMFA
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Interviews: For more information, or to schedule an interview with Artistic Director Joseph D’Eugenio, please contact Lisa Nappi at 860-747-1022, or send an email to [email protected].
About the GMChorale (Greater Middletown Chorale) – The GMChorale has become one of New England’s most distinguished choruses since its founding in 1977 as The Greater Middletown Chorale. Under the artistic leadership of Joseph D’Eugenio since 1998, the GMChorale is celebrated for its innovative symphonic choral presentations, and often performs with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and other ensembles. The 80-voice Chorale performs a wide range of choral repertoire, from beloved masterworks to newly commissioned pieces. As the GMChorale enters its fifth decade, the organization is broadening its mission and the scope of its offerings to bring the transformative power and beauty of choral music to people and communities across Connecticut. Alchemy, the vocal chamber ensemble of the GMChorale, established and directed by Joseph D’Eugenio in 2016 as part of this broader mission, has already experienced great success with concerts of early to contemporary music, both a cappella and accompanied, in a variety of settings across the state. Alchemy’s company of musicians includes music educators, professional soloists and artists, and skilled ensemble singers and instrumentalists who also are members of the GMChorale.
Most recently, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the GMChorale has pursued its first educational initiatives with two online Zoom courses: “Canons from Around the World" and “Choral Music Through the Ages”. The GMChorale aims to nurture musical knowledge in domains such as literacy and history in members and audiences alike. (gmchorale.org)
About Artistic Director Joseph D’Eugenio – Recognized as one of Southern New England’s most engaging musicians, Joseph D’Eugenio has been bringing music to life across the region for nearly three decades.
As a conductor, artistic director, music director, educator, pianist, organist, and vocal and conducting coach, D’Eugenio combines imaginative programming, skilled conducting, and deeply-informed musical versatility when producing captivating performances of choral, chamber, keyboard, and orchestral music.
D’Eugenio’s passion for preparing and presenting the great choral masterworks has led him to conduct productions of major choral-orchestral works each season, most often with the GMChorale, where he has served as Artistic Director since 1998.
Under D’Eugenio’s leadership, the GMChorale, an auditioned symphonic chorus of 80 voices that performs a wide range of choral music from several centuries, has become known as one of New England’s finest choruses, celebrated for its creative choral presentations, exciting performances, and dynamic collaborations, including those with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (with D’Eugenio conducting). The GMChorale and Alchemy (the professional vocal chamber ensemble of GMChorale) have performed at conventions of the Connecticut chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. D’Eugenio conducted the GMChorale’s international concert debuts in Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, Rome, Florence and Venice, where the GMChorale performed at the historic St. Mark’s Basilica.
In 2009, D’Eugenio was named Conductor of the Year by the Connecticut Chapter of ACDA. He has championed commissions, and led premieres of, several new choral works and projects, including Sarah Meneely-Kyder’s oratorio Letter from Italy, 1944, and, most recently, Peter Niedmann’s choral cantata New Every Morning.
In demand as a guest conductor and clinician, D’Eugenio has led various workshops and festivals, and has worked with choral groups in high schools, colleges, and universities across Connecticut, including Wesleyan University in Middletown.
A collaborative pianist of the first rank, D’Eugenio frequently accompanies professional choral ensembles, All-State choral festivals, and song recitals with noted concert artists.
D’Eugenio has served as Director of Music and organist at the First Congregational Church in Cheshire, Connecticut since 2003, where he directs the church’s vibrant music program and chancel choir. D’Eugenio earned the Bachelor of Music (cum laude) in piano performance from The Hartt School, University of Hartford, and the Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Connecticut.
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