espressivo Gala Opening
A two-day art exhibitand sale featuring Connecticut artists with proceeds to benefit CONCORA.

Attnedees were invited to view and purchase art work at the Gala Opening and meet many of the artists. The evening will included hors d'oeuvres, wine,and musical entertainment provided by members of CONCORA with Steve Metcalf, pianist.

“Songs and Stories of Liberation”
with storyteller Valerie Tutson

Honoring the ideals of President Abraham Lincoln through music of freedom and human dignity. Storyteller Valerie Tutson captivated listeners during the performances with a free all-ages story time prior to the concert in Hartford.

In January of 2007, after the after the holiday rush, guests enjoyed an evening of wine tasting with Sommelier Ray Petke and cool jazz by CONCORA singers with the Sir William Trio! This special event was presented by the CONCORA Friends of Bach at the home of Ken and Ruth Jacobson in Simsbury.

Richard Coffey conducts
the Bach Christmas Oratorio

CONCORA joined forces with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Hartford Chorale under the baton of Richard Coffey in J.S. Bach's triumphant holiday masterwork, The Christmas Oratorio, in December at the Bushnell's Belding Theater, Hartford.

CONCORA tenor Jack Anthony Pott sang the role of the Evangelist.

The three musical organizations began this holiday collaboration in 2004, presenting Part I of the Christmas Oratorio to a sold-out house.

Brother, Sun, Sister Moon Opens the Season!

On November 4, 2006, CONCORA opened its 2006-2007 season in Hartford's magnificent Cathedral of St. Joseph, with "Brother Sun, Sister Moon." Richard Coffey, Artistic Director, conducted.

Touching on themes of peace, justice, community, and love of the natural world, the concert illumined the life and ideals of Francis of Assisi through music and readings. Whatever connects you to these ideals - your faith tradition, your place in the global community, or your hope for the future of our planet - the beauty of the music is timeless and the message is timely.

BICYCLE ADVENTURE: June 2006
Our sincere thanks to all who pledged to make CONCORA's annual bikeathon a success!

Peter Perkins and his team completed the fifty-mile ride, and another group, led by Betsy Perkins and Cynthia Mellon completed 20 miles.

Your contributions helped to keep CONCORA's wheels turning, and we are grateful.

CARMINA BURANA
- Carl Orff
— Performance —

• EVENT SOLD OUT
• Thank you for attending
• Workshop Brochure
  [ PDF 1.67MB ]

Stunning performance of the great 20th century masterwork, in Orff's arrangement for two pianos, five percussionists, and chorus that featured the CONCORA Festival Chorus!

Music in the Life of Frank Lloyd Wright
Music in the Life of Frank Lloyd Wright interspersed music that inspired one of the 20th century's greatest architects with his own words about music. Wright's fascinating first person narrative was be read by C. James Lawler, FAIA. Works from Wright's favorite composers included Palestrina, J.S Bach, turn-of-the-20th century parlor songs, Unitarian hymns, and music from his family and childhood.

This concert was made possible in part by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and with the support of the American Institute of Architects.

Christmas with CONCORA “Dancing Day”
This holiday presentation captured the dance-like nature of the season, celebrating Christmas, winter, and any other reason for dancing! The featured work was American composer Lloyd Pfautsch’s suite, “A Day for Dancing,” nine colorful arrangements of both traditional and unusual carols with flute, oboe, bassoon, and percussion. The noted dance troupe, Spectrum in Motion, brought the dances to life with original choreography.

The Consort of Voices: Songs
and Stories of Liberation

Event Cancelled
The last big snowstorm presented us with a situation that has never before happened in CONCORA’s thirty years – the complete cancellation of a concert. However, there is good news: we are convinced that, more than ever, the world needs to hear Songs and Stories of Liberation, and we have committed to presenting it next season. In fact, you may want to look ahead and hold the dates for a performance February 11, 2007 with a firm snow date of February 25.

For those who had already purchased tickets to the February 12, 2006 performance, we will make every effort to do right by our audience members. Please call our office, and we will gladly take care of it. You have three options:

1. You may keep and use your tickets for Songs and Stories of Liberation next season.
   
   
2. You may consider the value of your tickets a charitable donation to CONCORA. For this we would be very grateful, and we will issue a tax receipt and include you in our donor list.
   
   
3. We will issue a refund upon request.

About This Event
Honoring the ideals of President Abraham Lincoln through music of liberty, freedom, and the affirmation of human dignity. Storyteller Valerie Tutson will captivate listeners of all ages at Charter Oak Cultural Center before the concert, and will be featured in the performance at Center Church. Works by Samuel Barber, Pablo Casals, Aaron Copland, Libby Larsen, Michael Tippett, and James MacMillan. Center Church and Charter Oak Cultural Center join us in presenting this event.

BACH!
Continuing our collaboration with the Hartford Symphony, we present two cantatas, a motet, and a Brandenburg Concerto.

• Motet VI
• Cantata #131
• Cantata #63
• Brandenburg Concerto III in G Major
• Sinfonia Partita #2 in C Minor, Margreet Francis soloist
• Sunday, March 19 - 4:00 pm
• Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford

Happy Birthday Mozart! A song recital
In honor of Mozart’s 250th birthday, our singers present a CONCORA benefit recital featuring many of Mozart’s beautiful vocal works, including selections from his magnificent array of art songs, opera arias and solos from the great liturgical works. (special event, single tickets only, not included in full subscription)

• Sunday, April 23 - 4:00 pm
• St. John’s Episcopal Church
• West Hartford

Mozart Requiem
CONCORA joins the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Hartford Chorale, Edward Cumming conducting.

• Saturday, May 6 - 8:00 pm
• Sunday, May 7 - 3:00 pm
• The Belding Theater
• The Bushnell, Hartford

Monumental Masses - April 2005
Inspiration and grand settings by Rheinberger, Zoltan Kodaly (“Missa Brevis”) and Antonin Dvorak (“Mass in D”).

• Program Notes (PDF 66KB)

BACH! - March 2005
Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford
Our ongoing collaboration with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

• Cantata #29, “Wir danken dir”
• Motet I, “Singet dem Herrn”
• Cantata #172, “Erschallet, ihr Lieder”
• Program Notes (PDF 81KB)

CONCORA in Song - Men of Melody - February 2005
The tenor and bass soloists of CONCORA presented an afternoon in celebration of the art of song.

J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, Part 1 - December 2004
CONCORA joined forces with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for Bach's beloved holiday masterwork. Richard Coffey conducted Cantatas 1, 2, and 3. Anthony Pott, Tenor.

• Program notes by Reverend Louis G. Nuechterlein
• Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248 - PDF Program (81KB)

Music of Remembrance & Hope - November 2004
This concert was offered in conjunction with the Charter Oak Cultural Center’s commemoration of Kristallnacht at the Center Church in Hartford, CT. Holocaust Cantata by Donald McCullough, Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein.

• PDF Program (82KB)

CONCORA in Song: Scintillating Sopranos
The scintillating sopranos soloists of CONCORA presented an afternoon in celebration of the art of song.  The audience was dazzled by the formidable talents of sopranos Christine Laird, Cynthia Mellon, Stacey Grimaldi, Jessica Nevins, Miriam Kennedy, Phred Mileski, and Angela Fraas.

Words and Music: a marriage made in heaven by Composer and Poet.  Featuring the music of Steven Sametz, John Corigliano, Aaron Copland and Robert S. Cohen, set to the poetry of Dylan Thomas, e.e. cummings, Wallace Stevens, Constance Carrier and others.

A glorious way that celebrated the holiday season and CONCORA's thirtieth season.  The program featured the favorites selected by our own singers.