CONCORA CONNECTICUT CHORAL ARTISTS
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Schedule & Pricing Information

All Festival events will be held at Bethany Covenant Church located at 785 Mill Street, Berlin, CT.

Sunday, July 27
2:00-2:45PM   Welcome & Check-In
3:00-6:00PM  Rehearsal #1
6:15-8:00PM   Buffet Dinner

Monday, July 28
5:30-6:20PM  Workshop #1 - Best Vocal Practices: A Technical Approach to Vocal Production
6:30-9:30PM  Rehearsal #2

Wednesday, July 30
3:30-4:20PM Conducting Symposium with Chris Shepard
4:30-5:20PM Recruitment and Retention, presented by Choral Arts New England (CANE)
5:30-6:20PM  Workshop #2 - Artistic Director Roundtable with Ellen Gilson Voth
6:30-9:30PM  Rehearsal #3
​9:30-10:30PM Ice Cream Social

Friday, August 1
5:30-6:20PM  Workshop #3 - True or False? Debunking Common Misconceptions about the Voice
6:30-9:30PM  Rehearsal #4

Saturday, August 2
10:00AM-1:00PM  Dress Rehearsal
3:00PM  Concert


Attendance: Attendance at the dinner on Sunday, July 27, the ice cream social on Wednesday, July 30, and the workshops is optional. We kindly request that you indicate which events you will attend upon registration, and notify us if your plans change.
Adult Early Bird Registration - $250.00
Available March 31 - June 1, 2025
 

Adult Registration - $300.00
Available June 2 - July 27, 2025

Student Registration - FREE!
Available March 31 - July 27, 2025
Registration is FREE for all college and high school students. 


All registration types include:
  • All required sheet music, which will be made available in hard copy and PDF in advance of the first rehearsal
  • One (1) ticket for the Buffet Dinner on Sunday, July 27
  • One (1) ticket for the Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, July 30
  • One (1) ticket for the Concert on Saturday, August 2
  • One (1) admission for all workshops
  • Participation in five (5) rehearsals led by CONCORA Artistic Director, Chris Shepard
  • Participation in the Concert on Saturday, August 2

Registration prices are inclusive of all taxes and fees.

2025 Summer Festival Repertoire

Repertoire is subject to change. Selections will be finalized and music will be made available in both hard copy and PDFs no less than 30 days prior to the first rehearsal.

Before
Dieterich Buxtehude - Befiehl, dem Engel, das er komm, BuxWV10
Bach

J.S. Bach - Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir,
BWV 29
     Chorus: Wir danken dir Gott, wir danken dir
     Chorale: Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren

J.S. Bach - Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, BWV 41
      Chorus: Jesu nun sei gepreiset
      Chorale: Dein ist allen die Ehre
J.S. Bach - Singet dem Herrn ein neue Lied, BWV 190
      Chorus: Singet dm Herrn ein neues Lied
      Chorale: Herr Gott, dich loben wir
      Chorale: 
Laß uns das Jahr vollbringen
Beyond
C.P.E. Bach - Magnificat, 1st Movement
Johannes Brahms - Geistliches Lied, Op. 30
J.S. Bach, arr. Knut Nystedt- Immortal Bach

2025 Workshops

Workshop #1 - Monday, July 28  5:30-6:20PM
Topic: Best Vocal Practices: A Technical Approach to Vocal Production
Presenter: 
Sarah Armstrong
Description: In this interactive workshop, Sarah will guide you through essential techniques to prepare both body and mind for the vocal demands of singing Bach. With a focus on intentionality and mindfulness, you’ll learn a practical, repeatable routine designed to support healthy, effective singing. Whether you're warming up for rehearsal or establishing daily practice habits, this session will help you become your best singing self. 

Workshop #2 - Wednesday, July 30 
3:30-4:20PM 

Topic: Conducting Symposium with Chris Shepard
Presenter: Chris Shepard
Description: Registrants are encouraged to bring specific conducting issues (techniques, interpretation, score study) with them.
4:30-5:20PM
Topic: Driving Choral Engagement and Belonging with Data Science, presented by Choral Arts New England (CANE)
Presenter: Katie Hart
Description: The CANE (Choral Arts New England) Board of Directors is pleased to partner with People First Technologies to increase engagement and belonging in the choral arts using data science. This ongoing partnership is designed to support and enhance the effectiveness of choral boards and staff in the areas of singer recruitment and retention. This presentation will outline the process of collaboration and present initial findings from a few New England choirs. We hope you will come to learn more and consider signing your choral organization up for one of their future workshops!
5:30-6:20PM 
Topic: Artistic Director Roundtable with Ellen Gilson Voth
Presenter: Ellen Gilson Voth
Description:  Ellen and her panel of Artistic Directors will address some of the challenges facing choir directors, ensemble administrators, and choral singers today.


Workshop #3 - Friday, August 1  5:30-6:20PM
Topic: True or False? Debunking Common Misconceptions about the Voice
Presenter: Patricia Benjamin Doyle
Description: In this workshop, after a review of anatomy and physiology of voice production, we will explore the veracity (or lack thereof) of commonly held vocal concepts.  There will also be time for questions, so come with yours!!​


NEW IN 2025! 
Can't attend the entire Festival, but still want to attend a workshop? You can now purchase a ticket for individual workshops! Click the REGISTER HERE button for more details.

About the CONCORA Summer Festival

CONCORA's Summer Festival offers adults, high school and college singers an opportunity to rehearse and perform great choral works - all under the baton of Artistic Director, Chris Shepard.  During this week-long intensive, participants will attend educational workshops, prepare and rehearse alongside CONCORA's professional members, and present a culminating concert for the public.  If you love to sing and are looking to hone your skills while making and reconnecting with friends, the CONCORA Summer Festival is for you!
CONCORA is proud to make High School and College Student Registrations FREE for our 2025 Summer Festival.

Testimonials from Festival Participants
"One of the highlights of my summer. Working with Chris is amazing. And this year, I met several women who all want to stay in touch between now and next year's festival."

"Chris's direction makes the music come to life."

"It was a great experience, Chris offers so many helpful suggestions for singers and the music selections are great."

"Tremendous! I learned so much and the long rehearsals just flew by!"

"This was an exceptional experience in so many ways. I feel honored to have been a participant."
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A History of the CONCORA
Summer Choral Festival

2024 - Glorious Bach Choruses
​2023 - The Phoenix Rises
2020 - Virtual Summer Festival
2019 - Music For Choir and 4-Hand Piano
2018 - Wonderful Town! A Bernstein Centenary
2017 - Exploring the Great Choral Masterworks
2016 - A Serenade to Music: Choral Settings of Shakespeare
2015 - Come, Let us Sing with Melody! (with Guest Conductor Joseph D’Eugenio)
2014 - Musical Pairs: Music of Europe and America (with Guest Conductor Dr. Pamela J. Perry)
2013 - Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
2012 - Music of Celebration and Solace
2011 - Choral Classics Plus!
2010 - Choral Songs of Life and Love
2009 - Maurice Duruflé: Requiem
2008 - The Contemporary Choral Song
2007 - Great Music for Strings and Choir
2006 - Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
2005 - Music for a Sacred Space
2004 - Great Music for Double Choir
2003 - Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony IX, with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
2002 - George Frideric Handel: Messiah, Part II
2001 - Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
2000 - Music of America, a program of choral music by American composers
1999 - A Tribute to Robert Shaw, honoring the legendary maestro and his choral legacy

Contact Us

Email Us
CONCORA
​c/o South Church
90 Main Street
New Britain, CT 06051

​(860) 839-6480

Get Social with CONCORA

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & History
    • Artistic Leadership
    • CONCORA Singers
    • Staff & Board
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Auditions
    • Texts & Program Notes
    • 50th Anniversary >
      • Concert Program Lyrics
    • THE COMPLETE BACH
  • Education
    • Choral Mentors
    • Youth Choir
  • Donate
    • Richard M. Coffey Fund
    • Funding & Program Support
  • Connect