Message to Membership – May 12, 2022

From the Music Director …

Dear Hartford Chorale,

Monday’s rehearsal was particularly exciting and productive. My appreciation for all of the energy, investment, and commitment made manifest by those who are staying-the-course for our epic undertaking is boundless. It is from you that I receive my own inspiration for what we seek to accomplish. After over two years of hibernation, we soon bring our message to our audience, now suddenly (it seems) an almost unexpected privilege and responsibility. On Monday May 16, we meet, for the first time, with Scott Perkins, who will be present to advise (maybe even admonish!) us. That rehearsal will cover all of the concert’s music, so be prepared. Also, please be sure that you have entered into your scores the various logistics that were sent with last week’s M2M (attached). What we all now must do without fail is to self-protect! We must not place ourselves in any circumstance whatsoever that could jeopardize our ability to present this musical gift to our audience (and to ourselves). Be smart, stay safe!

While one would never intentionally schedule a rehearsal of the Beethoven Ninth three days after our “Big 50,” we had no choice whatsoever but to do so. Therefore, in anticipation of Monday, May 23, I ask that you find the time to preview that score, review the edit masters, read all of the materials, and listen to Cynthia Mellon’s excellent tutorial of the German diction. For some of us, rehearsing the Ninth will be like polishing a favorite pair of shoes, and for others, in particular our many new members, this could be a first-ever engagement with this magnificent work, crowned by twelve minutes of thrilling choral music!

Please remember that our rehearsal on Wednesday, May 18, in the Bushnell is in “full dress” for professional photography which will serve our needs both as souvenirs but also for marketing for years to come. Once the formal shots are completed (these occur just after the break), we can take off any clothing that may have encumbered us earlier. It is important to honor our 6:45 p.m. call for both the Wednesday and the Thursday rehearsals, as we must at that time confirm all seating and logistics and be ready to rehearse, without fail or distraction, at exactly 7:00 p.m. Both of these rehearsals will conclude at 9:45 p.m., after the 9:30 p.m. dismissal of the orchestra.

Thanks, and all the best,

Rick

From the Board President …

Dear Hartford Chorale,

We are getting close! As the Maestro rightfully says, please continue to be careful with your activities. We have worked so hard and want to enjoy every moment next week.

Some of you wrote asking me to repeat the announcements from last week, and here they are!

  1. We will be hosting a reception after the concert. Please see Joanne’s note below with details on RSVP, masking, etc.
  2. We will be doing photos on Wednesday, May 18. Please arrive in full concert attire for that rehearsal. I am particularly excited for this opportunity for two reasons. First, imagine the membership 50 years from now seeing us singing with masks. I mean… how can we keep from singing! Second, our Chorale has grown, and this gives our new people an opportunity to be featured.
  3. The second half of the concert (the Perkins piece) will be sung with just our scores and no binders. We want to show off the amazing artwork that Kris Fallon put together for us.
  4. Speaking of Perkins, he will be with us all week next week.
  5. Joanne and I are on Fox61 on Friday at around 10:40 a.m. to speak of the concert. The segment is called “CT Creative Futures”. Many thanks to Diane Link for her hard work getting us the interview!

Our marketing team led by Fred Baker is working all channels to move sales. Historically, the week before the concert is when a majority of our patrons begin purchasing tickets. Please help marketing by asking your friends, family, and colleagues to join us. We are in the big hall, and people can spread out with peace of mind.

Thank you all for your attention and good cheer. Next week is almost here!

Lalitha

From the 50th Anniversary Chair …

You are invited to celebrate with us!

The Board of Governors of Hartford Chorale is pleased to invite you and one guest to join us at a post-concert reception in the Autorino Great Hall immediately following our anniversary concert on Friday, May 20.

Since there is limited space, this reception requires confirmation that you are going to attend by Monday, May 16. Please respond tojoannehuelsman@outlook.com with your response.

While singing members have met all vaccination requirements, we request that any guests you invite are fully vaccinated as well. To ensure the safety of all, we ask that you remain masked during the reception while not eating or drinking.

We look forward to seeing you at the reception!

Joanne Huelsman

REMINDER Message from the COVID Safety Committee (formerly Reopening Committee)

Thank you to everyone for conscientiously wearing masks during rehearsals. Due to increases in cases due to the highly contagious subvariant BA.2, please see below our current guidelines.

  • Masking for rehearsals will continue.
  • The Committee strongly recommends that all Chorale members wear the KN95 mask (or equivalent) because it gives the greatest protection against the movement of pathogens.
  • KN95 masks are widely available at a low cost, but if you do not have access to one, the Chorale will have a small supply available at the next rehearsal.
  • A decision has not yet been made about requiring masks for the concert on May 20. However, if masks are required for the concert, all members must wear a black mask.
  • During production week, starting May 16, all members who are “COVID-free” must be physically present for rehearsals.

From the Office …

  • There will again be a supply of black KN95 masks available at rehearsal on Monday, May 16, for wear during production week, including the May 20th performance. If you have taken a black mask already, please wear it next week for the duration. If you don’t have one, please take one! Thanks.

  • Attached is a document providing detailed production week logistics for singers – the what, when and where. Very helpful! (Thank you, Joanne.)

Reminders …

 

Women Chorale Members: A few of you were asking about concert attire. Please contact our wonderful costumer, Mary Ann Haar, with questions. Her email is laylockcottage@gmail.com. This would also be a good time to bring out your concert attire for a post pandemic audit! The link to purchasing our concert attire can be found here.

Interns: We are actively looking for interns (high school juniors and seniors, and college students) to sing in the B9 concert. If you know of anyone, please reach out to Russ Hammond, our intern chief, at (internships@hartfordchorale.org).

From the Marketing Committee …

Ticket Sales and Attendance:

We continue to make progress selling concert tickets. Please reach out to all of your friends and family to purchase tickets to our wonderful concert. To ensure maximum ticket sales and attendance, we need your help. What I’m asking from you is multi-faceted:

  1. Please complete thisGroup Sales Contact form with the names and contact information of groups (Senior Living Communities, Performance Arts schools, Church Choirs, Social groups or Clubs, etc.) that would be interested in purchasing tickets using our Group Sales discounts.

ž Group Sales discounts are:

    • 10 – 24 tickets receive a 15% discount (plus fees)
    • 25 or more tickets receive a 25% discount (plus fees)

ž Group tickets do not need to be purchased in a single section of Mortenson Hall, but

ž Group Sales tickets do need to be ordered at the same time in order to receive the discount.

  1. We are also offering tickets to high school and college students for $10.00 plus a $4.00 fee ($14.00) with a valid, current student id.

  1. Send us the name and contact information of any local newspapers in your area so we can provide them press announcements.

Let’s sell this concert out!

Thank you for all that you are doing for Hartford Chorale.

Fred Baker

Marketing Chair

#KEEPTHESONGSTRONG

From the Golf/Auction Committee …

Save the date on Monday, June 27, for our biggest fundraising event of the year – The Annual Hartford Chorale Classic Golf Tournament and Online Auction! Please see the attached flyer.

  • The Tournament will be played at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron, CT.
  • Scramble Format.
  • Registration at 9:00 AM and Shotgun start at 10:00AM.
  • 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.

 

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

 

Online Auction starts June 13th. More details to follow.

SPONSORS – Do you know or support a local business owner? Ask them if they would like a bit more exposure by sponsoring a Tee Box or a hole for our upcoming tournament. There is still time; please contact Joan Hultquist (jbhultquist@comcast.net), for more information.

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)

From our Friends …

The Music Series at South Church welcomes the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center Professional Ensemble on Sunday, May 15, at 4:00 pm, South Church, 90 Main Street in New Britain. Based at Wesleyan University, the Center preserves, teaches and promotes various styles of Japanese contemporary and traditional music, with a focus on the shinobue bamboo flutes and Japanese percussion, including the taiko drum. Their mission includes fostering a community of practitioners, scholars and admirers of Japanese performing arts. Come hear this innovative ensemble representing the best of the art form! A free-will donation will be accepted.

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The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s MasterWorks Series presents Opera’s Greatest Hits on Sunday, May 15th, at Naugatuck Valley Community College. WSO has invited students from Yale School of Music’s Opera Department to perform some of opera’s most beloved selections from La Bohéme, Rigoletto, and Samson et Dalila. There is a 2:00 pm lecture preceding the 3:00 pm performance. Ticket information can be found at www.waterburysymphony.org. Be sure to enter the code “CSOF” at checkout for a 15% discount!

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Farmington Valley Chorale, under the direction of Artistic Director Ellen Gilson Voth, celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a concert at The Bushnell’s Belding Theater on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 7:00 pm. The program will include Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with pianist Anchie Donn, and recent works by Jake Runestad, Colin Britt and Dr. Voth. Chorale is accompanied by Stephen Scarlato on piano and professional orchestra. Tickets range from $25 – $35 and are available at this link, which takes you directly to the Bushnell box office: please come to our concert!