Artistic Director and Accompanist
THE MYSTIC RIVER CHORALE was founded in September 1984. About 30 singers participated in the first concert, "A Concert of Modern Invention", held in the spring of 1985, which featured works of William Billings, Randall Thompson and Gabriel Fauré. The Mystic River Chamber Singers, drawn by audition from the Chorale, were organized two years later. In 1987 the Chorale became an independent, not-for-profit performing arts organization.
The group has performed with the Con Brio Choral Society, the Norwich Diocesan Choir, and the Storrs Collegium Musicum as well as with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In 1995, under the direction of Dr. Michele Holt, members of the Chorale and friends visited Germany, Austria and Switzerland and in 1997, toured Belgium and France. Members of the Chorale have also sung back-up for Paul Anka and Rosemary Clooney at Foxwoods.
Beginning in 1997, the Chorale extended its community involvement by awarding a college scholarship to a senior attending Fitch or Stonington High School who will be pursuing college study in music. The Chorale has also commissioned works by Edward Tyler and Alice Parker.
The Mystic River Chorale has performed many major works including Poulenc’s Gloria, Requiems by Duruflé and Fauré, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Rutter's Gloria, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Handel’s Messiah. In January 2001, the Chorale gave the second known public performance of the recently discovered Mendelssohn Gloria in conjunction with his Magnificat.
The Mystic River Chorale has had five directors through the past quarter-century: James and Patricia Dehls (1984-1992), Michele Holt (1992-1997), Joan Cook (1997-2007) and Frank Martignetti (2008-present).
The group has performed with the Con Brio Choral Society, the Norwich Diocesan Choir, and the Storrs Collegium Musicum as well as with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In 1995, under the direction of Dr. Michele Holt, members of the Chorale and friends visited Germany, Austria and Switzerland and in 1997, toured Belgium and France. Members of the Chorale have also sung back-up for Paul Anka and Rosemary Clooney at Foxwoods.
Beginning in 1997, the Chorale extended its community involvement by awarding a college scholarship to a senior attending Fitch or Stonington High School who will be pursuing college study in music. The Chorale has also commissioned works by Edward Tyler and Alice Parker.
The Mystic River Chorale has performed many major works including Poulenc’s Gloria, Requiems by Duruflé and Fauré, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Rutter's Gloria, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Handel’s Messiah. In January 2001, the Chorale gave the second known public performance of the recently discovered Mendelssohn Gloria in conjunction with his Magnificat.
The Mystic River Chorale has had five directors through the past quarter-century: James and Patricia Dehls (1984-1992), Michele Holt (1992-1997), Joan Cook (1997-2007) and Frank Martignetti (2008-present).
Board and Staff Members...
| President | Michael Sullo |
| Vice President | Thomas Meisenzahl |
| Chorus Manager | Barbara Mow |
| Secretary | Megin Walden |
| Treasurer | Isabella Zagare |
| Sponsorship | Gordon Thompson |
 Publicity |
vacant |
| Venues | vacant |
| Tickets | Carolyn Kelly |
| Programs | Jim Gauld |
| Webmaster | John Demlein |
| Members at Large | Gerard Carriera |
| Betsy Dotolo | |
| David Rinzler | |
Section Leaders... |
|
| Soprano | vacant |
| Alto | Gretchen Leming |
| Tenor | vacant |
| Bass | Raymond Brown |
The Mystic River Chorale...
Soprano |
Alto |
| Youlander Bethel Marlene F. Brouwer Meaghan Brown Abigail Bruce Joan Cook Betsy Dotolo Nadine J. Gorrell* Carolyn P. Kelly Barbara Luftglass-Morea Michelle Mencer* Barbara Mow* Kathleen P. O'Beirne Sandra L. Streeter Barbara Strother Megin Walden* Donna Weimer |
Ann Cady Suzanne E. Cullen Suzanne Donch Val Fast* Honore E. Feeney Stephanie Fiala Rosemarie Huysman Barbara D. Kennedy Gretchen Leming* Susan R. Lund Pam Ryley* Isabella M. Zagare* |
Tenor |
Bass |
| Joseph Benedict Roger Cook Karen Greene* Thomas C. Meisenzahl* David M. Rinzler* Garrett Starasinic |
Raymond N. Brown Stephen Bruce Gerard J. Carriera John H. Kennedy Mathew Mormino Roger Ryley* Michael Sullo* Gordon Thomson* |
* Also a member of The Mystic River Chorale Chamber Singers
