CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists)
Richard Coffey, Artistic Director
Jane Penfield, Executive Director
CONCORA holds a unique place in the arts community as Connecticut's premier professional choir. CONCORA's mission, "to perpetuate and perform with excellence choral music of the highest quality for the broadest possible audience," represents a commitment to the Connecticut community, a commitment to artistic excellence, masterful performances, and educational enrichment - enhancing the lives of generations.
Over its thirty-year history, the chorus has built an extraordinary reputation for artistic excellence throughout New England. Announced by The Connecticut Commission on the Arts and presented by Governor John G. Rowland, CONCORA is the recipient of the 2003 Governor's Arts Award, in recognition of remarkable artistic achievement and contributions to the arts in Connecticut.
The ensemble's versatility is demonstrated in its wide range of repertoire from the great choral masterpieces to newly commissioned compositions, including arrangements of folk music, spirituals and popular music. The CONCORA Consort of Voices is a small a cappella ensemble specializing in contemporary music.
CONCORA's extends its educational outreach through two programs: The CONCORA-to-Go quartet presents an interactive, multicultural program, "Around the World in Music," in area elementary schools and public libraries. The Summer Festival Workshop offers adult singers from the community and select high school and college singers an opportunity to join with CONCORA in preparing and performing great choral works. CONCORA is also proud to enrich the cultural life of the region by sponsoring concerts by exceptional visiting choirs, including recent performances by the National Youth Choir of Namibia and the China Children's Choir of Beijing.
CONCORA has appeared often with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and this season will unveil a new and ongoing collaboration with the HSO, "Bach in the Belding," at the Bushnell in Hartford. CONCORA has also performed and recorded with Orchestra New England. CONCORA served for several seasons as the resident chorus of the esteemed Bard Festival with the American Symphony Orchestra, and has enjoyed concert performances with Chanticleer, the Gregg Smith Singers, John Rutter's Cambridge Singers, and Bobby McFerrin.
CONCORA has produced seven compact discs, "Made in USA," "A Sacred Sampler," "Christmas with CONCORA," "Christmas in Our Time," "A Retro Christmas with CONCORA," and "Sing, My Soul," (the choral works of Ned Rorem) which received national acclaim in The Choral Journal. "The Six Motets of J.S. Bach" is our newest release.