Message to Membership – June 16, 2022

From the Music Director …

Dear Chorale,

I write (on Tuesday June 14) to thank all who participated in our recent Beethoven IX marathon. By Sunday’s concert, we were at only 87 singers on stage. I congratulate and thank all of those who stayed the course, persevered throughout, and gave 100% of their time, talent, and energy, as our fiftieth-anniversary season drew to a close. How pleased I was that Maestro Boyles paid us two warm-up visits to thank us.

Come June 30, Interim Director of Operations, Lisa Nappi, ends her tenure with us. How grateful I am that she stepped into our administrative breach in such an effective fashion and helped keep us on course in countless ways. She and I have been friends and colleagues for over twenty-five years, making our current relationship more than ever special to me. Anticipating, at this writing, the introduction to us all of our new Executive Director, Emily Badger, I thank the search committee for its hard work in bringing Emily to us. I know that she will be an effective, capable, and successful administrator for the Chorale.

Don’t forget the golf tournament on Monday, June 27! Even non-golfers can have some fun in support of the Chorale by attending the “afterglow,” welcoming the players as they leave the course. Everyone present can participate in the auction and enjoy some very healthful outdoor time together. If you want to find me, I’ll be near the bar. Likewise, do remember that our Annual Meeting will be in Zoom fashion on Wednesday, June 29th. I look forward to seeing you there.

All best as our year soon draws go a close,

Rick

From the Board President …

Dear Hartford Chorale,

Last night’s celebration was a wonderful tribute to our beloved maestro. Many thanks to Dawn Bauer and her mighty team for bringing all of this together. It was an elegant and beautiful celebration. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the hours that Jim Barry and Jack Pott put in to create the wonderful programming. I loved the quartet, that had been so well modified by Jack Pott to honor Maestro Coffey. Many thanks to our speakers, Ed Below, Kristen Phillips and Joanne Huelsman for taking us down memory lane. And! Many, many thanks to Kris Fallon for that wonderful slideshow.

Looking ahead, all roads lead to golf. It is our biggest fund raiser and an important part of community development. Please look through Joan Hultquist’s requests and support our wonderful development team.

Thank you all for your patience regarding next season. Our planning was slow due to the pandemic, but we are very excited to share with you a season we know you are going to love! We have a few loose ends to tie up, and I can’t wait to shout it out from the mountaintops. In that regard, please maintain 7:00 pm, June 29th on your calendar for our annual meeting over Zoom.

Until I write to you again, have a wonderful week and weekend.

Lalitha

From the Golf/Auction Committee …

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP for our biggest fundraising event of the year – Monday, June 27, The Annual Hartford Chorale Classic Golf Tournament and Online Auction!

  • The Tournament will be played at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron, CT.
  • Scramble Format.
  • Registration at 9:00 AM and Shotgun start at 10:00 AM.
  • Price – $125 per player, lunch included.
  • After golf – join us for a Happy Hour where we can brag about our scores and take part in a Teacup raffle. Follow the link below to register your foursome.
  • Happy Hour for non-golfers available with a $35 fee to cover expense – please RSVP toadmin@hartfordchorale.org with GOLF HAPPY HOUR RSVP in the subject line. Please RSVP by Wednesday June 22nd.
  • Online Auction starts June 17th. Look for the eblast announcement later this week.

 

Sign up to play in the Hartford Chorale Golf Tournament HERE!!!

ITS NOT TO LATE FOR AUCTION ITEMS TO DONATE – Do you have something you’d like to donate, or can you create a themed gift package or basket? Please contact Dawn Bauer (dbauer658@gmail.com) We can add items into next week.

From your Accompanist …

Thank you for the recognition on Saturday of my twenty-five years with the Chorale, the anniversary taking place during our COVID lockdown. It continues to be a pleasure to be part of this musical organization, and I look forward to my 28th season with all of you. The Highclere Castle gin and four Hartford Chorale 50th anniversary martini glasses will be enjoyed this summer.

Jim Barry

From the Office …

There are quite a few members who have yet to pay Chorale dues for this season. If you are unsure whether you have paid, please contact Lisa in the office (admin@hartfordchorale.org) and she can tell you. Dues are $185 for the season. Please go to this link on the members page (password is Chorale21)https://hartfordchorale.org/members/#dues to pay on line, or mail a check to the office (233 Pearl Street, #17, Hartford, CT 06103) by end of business on Monday, June 20th. The end of our fiscal year quickly approaches, and we need to have all payments in as soon as possible, please. Thank you!