History of the South Hadley Chorale
The South Hadley Chorale was founded as The South Hadley Community Chorus in 1984 by Barbara H. Conant. Its immediate objective was to celebrate Bach’s 300th anniversary by performing his Mass in B minor. The success of the program encouraged both Dr. Conant and the singers to form a permanent choral group that would perform one concert each year.
In 1990, Richard Rescia became the artistic director/conductor and served in this capacity for five years. During his tenure the name was changed to the South Hadley Chorale to reflect the group’s performance level and expertise. Scott Lamlein served as conductor for one year followed by Michael R. Dulac who served as artistic director and conductor from 1997 to 2005.
The Chorale has steadily gained in numbers and in overall quality. Presently we number over eighty men and women including seven new members and thirty who have sung with the group for ten years or more. Although over thirty-five percent reside in South Hadley, seventeen communities are represented in the Chorale. We have been most fortunate to have been able to perform at Mount Holyoke College each year, with programs ranging from Bach and Mozart to Rutter and Bernstein. In addition, the Chorale presents a holiday program in December at Loomis Communities retirement village in South Hadley. In 2007, we hosted a sing-through of the Mozart Requiem and, in 2008, of the Brahms Requiem.
After three seasons as director, Deanna Joseph, formerly on the faculty of Smith College and the University of Massachusetts, made the decision to pursue her doctorate at Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. Under her direction, we performed Schubert’s Mass in A-flat major, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Beethoven’s Mass in C major.
Nicholas DeMaison was appointed conductor of the Chorale for the 2008-2009 season. Under his direction, we performed his original composition ...urge relentless...(L’homme armé) and Bruckner’s Mass in E Minor. Mr. DeMaison relocated to Chicago in August, 2009.
Alexandra Ludwig, Assistant Professor at Springfield College, served as interim conductor for our 25th anniversary concert in March, 2010. It included the Dona Nobis Pacem from Bach's Mass in B minor along with Nänie and Schicksalslied by Brahms and Haydn's Te Deum.