Farmington Valley Chorale

Farmington Valley Chorale The Farmington Valley Chorale is a non-auditioned group of more than 80 men and women committed to bringing quality choral music to our local area.

The Farmington Valley Chorale is seeking an experienced, dynamic and inspiring music professional to lead our singers in...
09/01/2026

The Farmington Valley Chorale is seeking an experienced, dynamic and inspiring music professional to lead our singers into the next stage of its growth.

Type of Position: Permanent, Part-time
Category: Choral Arts
State/Province: CT (Rehearsals in Simsbury and concerts in and around the Farmington Valley and surrounding towns)
Position: Artistic Director
Deadline: December 1, 2026
Posted: September 1, 2026

Please visit our website at farmingtonvalleychorale.org for application details.

Come Sing with Us!Join us as we launch our 2026-27 Season!Our Fall session kicks off with two open rehearsals on Sunday ...
08/30/2026

Come Sing with Us!
Join us as we launch our 2026-27 Season!

Our Fall session kicks off with two open rehearsals on Sunday nights, September 13th and 20, at Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUMC), 799 Hopmeadow St, in Simsbury, CT. Our regular rehearsal time is 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

If you’re new to our chorale, please arrive early at 6:15 pm for one of our open rehearsals on Sept. 13th or 20th. Our artistic director and a section leader will be there to listen to you sing a few notes and ensure that you’re placed appropriately within our other voices.

We’ll be singing every Sunday night at SUMC, with our first rehearsal starting on September 13th and continuing until our concert “Transitions” on Saturday, December 5th. Travel along with us as we explore a diverse range of music, from the works of Brahms and Barber to brilliant a ca****la pieces and other inspiring songs that will set the tone for the season!
Our dues for the Fall season are $50. The cost of music is an additional $30 and will be available at our September open rehearsals.

If you are a new member, you may come to the first two open rehearsals and pay once you have decided to join us.
Please visit farmingtonvalleychorale.org to register, so we can prepare your music.

We can’t wait to sing with you!

Come Sing with Us!Join us as we launch our 2026-27 Season!Our Fall session kicks off with two open rehearsals on Sunday ...
08/16/2026

Come Sing with Us!

Join us as we launch our 2026-27 Season!

Our Fall session kicks off with two open rehearsals on Sunday nights, September 13th and 20, at Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUMC), 799 Hopmeadow St, in Simsbury, CT. Our regular rehearsal time is 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

If you’re new to our chorale, please arrive early at 6:15 pm for one of our open rehearsals on Sept. 13th or 20th. Our artistic director and a section leader will be there to listen to you sing a few notes and ensure that you’re placed appropriately within our other voices.

We’ll be singing every Sunday night at SUMC, with our first rehearsal starting on September 13th and continuing until our concert “Transitions” on Saturday, December 5th. Travel along with us as we explore a diverse range of music, from the works of Brahms and Barber to brilliant a ca****la pieces and other inspiring songs that will set the tone for the season!

Our dues for the Fall season are $50. The cost of music is an additional $30 and will be available at our September open rehearsals.

If you are a new member, you may come to the first two open rehearsals and pay once you have decided to join us.

Please visit farmingtonvalleychorale.org to register, so we can prepare your music.

We can’t wait to sing with you!

We are thrilled to announce that Christopher Härtel will step in as Interim Artistic Director of the Farmington Valley C...
08/02/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Christopher Härtel will step in as Interim Artistic Director of the Farmington Valley Chorale for our 2026-27 Season!

Chris has been a vibrant force in the Connecticut music scene for over 30 years, excelling as a performer, educator, and conductor. A proud graduate of the University of Connecticut, he earned his Master of Music in conducting under the mentorship of esteemed professors Dr. Peter Bagley and Dr. Constance DeFotis. This solid foundation in music education has equipped Chris with the skills to inspire countless students and musicians throughout his career.

As a founding member of the Voices of Concinnity, Northeast Connecticut’s premier professional vocal ensemble, Chris has played a pivotal role in elevating the region's musical landscape. His dedication to choral music is evident in his previous leadership positions, where he directed respected groups such as the Newington Choral Club, The Wallingford Chorus, the Southington Chorale, and, as our own Assistant Director of the Farmington Valley Chorale. Chris brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering artistic excellence, ensuring that our beloved ensemble continues to thrive and inspire. We are excited to kick off our 2026-27 season with Chris in September

Dear Ellen,As you leave behind a remarkable 19-year legacy with Farmington Valley Chorale, we want to extend our heartfe...
07/22/2026

Dear Ellen,

As you leave behind a remarkable 19-year legacy with Farmington Valley Chorale, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes. Your creativity, passion, and leadership have been the heart and soul of our organization, transforming our community and enriching the lives of our Chorale members.

We are deeply grateful for your unwavering dedication and the countless memories we’ve shared. The impact of your contributions will be felt for years to come. As you embark on an exciting new journey with UConn, we know you will continue to achieve amazing things and we will be right here cheering you on.

Thank you, Ellen, for all the incredible programs and experiences you have brought to FVC. You will be dearly missed, but we eagerly anticipate your future successes. Wishing you all the best in this new chapter!

With warm regards,

Farmington Valley Chorale

"Triumphant"! That was the word used to describe the sounds of Bach at Farmington Valley Chorale's performance with CONC...
05/13/2026

"Triumphant"! That was the word used to describe the sounds of Bach at Farmington Valley Chorale's performance with CONCORA soloists and orchestra on Saturday!

Chorale's sound filled St. James's Episcopal Church and amplified the joy in this incredible music.

Many thanks to Andrew Smith as our contractor and orchestra leader; to our soloist team (Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly, Megan Roth, Justin McArthur, Michael McAvaney and Jermaine Woodard), to Chris Shepard and Colette Hall, and to our audience for coming to hear these gems of Bach and supporting the Chorale as always!

Things are falling into place for a magnificent dress rehearsal this evening! All we need now is YOU, our beloved audie...
05/08/2026

Things are falling into place for a magnificent dress rehearsal this evening! All we need now is YOU, our beloved audience! Tomorrow, (May 9) for the first time in the Hartford area – you will have the chance to hear Bach’s Easter Oratorio (BWV 249) and Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11).

The harpsichord and organ await the magic hands that will bring them to life. Soprano Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly, mezzo soprano Megan Roth, tenors Michael McAvaney and Justin McArthur, and bass Jermaine Woodard, Jr. will be the CONCORA soloists, with Chorale singers performing choral movements; Violinist and CONCORA Board President Andrew Smith will lead the orchestra; Chorale Director and CONCORA singer Ellen Gilson Voth will conduct. This event is not to be missed!

The concert on Saturday, May 9 starts at 4:00 pm, at St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Tickets are available on our Facebook event, with limited tickets also available at the door. Join us, and spread the word!

Michael McAvaney is an American lyrical tenor. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the Crane School of Music ...
05/08/2026

Michael McAvaney is an American lyrical tenor. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and his Master of Music Education from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. Outside of his singing engagements, he serves as the middle school orchestral director in the New Britain School District.

In addition to his classroom teaching, Michael has guest-conducted vocal ensembles across the Northeast and regularly performs as a soloist throughout New England. He sings with the Schola Cantorum at The Cathedral of Saint Joseph and the Men’s Choir at Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony in Hartford. Michael performed in the production All is Calm with Hartford’s Playhouse on Park, and he has also sung masterworks at Carnegie Hall and Mechanics Hall.

He is a member of several professional vocal ensembles, including CONCORA, Voce, and Voices of Concinnity. Michael resides in Burlington with his wife, Jackie, their daughter, Aria, and their dog, Oreo.

Join us this Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at St. James's Episcopal Church in West Hartford!

Tickets are available through our Facebook Event, or from any chorale member. We look forward to seeing you there!

05/07/2026

On Sat., May 9, CONCORA and the Farmington Valley Chorale partner to present two works jointly for the first time in the Hartford area – Bach’s Easter Oratorio (BWV 249) and Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11). Soprano Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly, mezzo soprano Megan Roth, tenors Michael McAvaney and Justin McArthur, and bass Jermaine Woodard, Jr. will be the CONCORA soloists, with Chorale singers performing choral movements; Violinist and CONCORA Board President Andrew Smith will lead the orchestra; Chorale Director and CONCORA singer Ellen Gilson Voth will conduct.

In Ellen’s words: “Our arts community in greater Hartford is bursting with organizations that promote choral music and aim to share it as widely as possible. Whenever two of them perform together, we become a part of the success of the other. A concert like this also brings these musical gems to fresh ears today. In this music, Bach does more than retell familiar religious stories; he draws us into the human experience of joy and suffering, of hope and questioning and resilience. We can’t capture the scope of this music with words alone; you have to hear it firsthand.”The concert on May 9 starts at 4:00 pm, at St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Tickets are available on our Facebook event, with limited tickets also available at the door. Join us, and spread the word!

Justin McArthur graduated in 2022 from UMass Amherst with degrees in classical singing and archaeology, as well as minor...
05/04/2026

Justin McArthur graduated in 2022 from UMass Amherst with degrees in classical singing and archaeology, as well as minors in linguistics and Medieval studies. He has sung with CONCORA since 2024. He sings in various choral groups in Connecticut and New York and also performs in musical theater, especially at Curtain Call in Stamford, and he recently finished performing the role of Lord Mountararat in Iolanthe with the Troupers Light Opera in Norwalk. Besides singing, he is starting a new career in piano tuning.

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Simsbury, CT
06070

Opening Hours

7pm - 9pm

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