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| About CONCORA |
ABOUT CONCORA
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. Since its founding in 1974 by its Conductor and Artistic Director, Richard Coffey, CONCORA has held a unique place in the arts community as Connecticut’s premier professional choir, and has built an extraordinary reputation for artistic excellence throughout New England.
CONCORA was the recipient of the 2003 Governor’s Arts Award, in recognition of remarkable artistic achievement and contributions to the arts in Connecticut.
CONCORA’s educational outreach consists of two highly successful programs.
For children, the CONCORA-to-Go quartet presents an interactive, multicultural program, “Around the World in Music,” performed 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 rehearsing and performing great choral works.
The ensemble has appeared often with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and enjoys an ongoing collaboration, annually performing the works of J.S. Bach.
CONCORA has also performed on many occasions with Orchestra New England, and with them recorded The Six Motets of J.S. Bach. CONCORA served as the resident chorus of the esteemed Bard Festival with the American Symphony Orchestra, Leon Botstein, Director. The chorus has performed in concert with Chanticleer, the Gregg Smith Singers, John Rutter’s Cambridge Singers, and Bobby McFerrin.
CONCORA made its New York debut in 1998 with A 75th Birthday Tribute to Ned Rorem, who called CONCORA “the finest chorus in America.” CONCORA’s recording of Rorem’s choral works received national acclaim in The Choral Journal. CONCORA has performed widely in New England, including national and regional conventions of American Guild of Organists.
CONCORA has produced eight compact discs: “Made in USA,” “A Sacred Sampler,”
“Christmas with CONCORA,” “Christmas in Our Time,” “A Retro Christmas with CONCORA,” “Sing, My Soul,” featuring the choral works of Ned Rorem, “The Six Motets of J.S. Bach,” and “The Men of CONCORA.” Our newest recording, “Songs and Stories of Liberation,” was released in February 2007. All recordings are available for purchase from the CONCORA office, at each concert, and on the web at www.CONCORA.org.
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