OUR HISTORY  |  PERFORMANCES BY SEASON  |  PAST MUSIC DIRECTORS  |  COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Frank Nemhauser
In January 2002, Frank Nemhauser stepped in as Interim Music Director following the resignation of Chorale founder Henley Denmead, and was subsequently named Music Director, a post he held for three years. Nemhauser, Director of Music at the Berkshire Choral Festival and member of the faculty at Mannes College of Music in New York, has a broad background as guest conductor with many prestigious organizations such as the Houston Masterworks Chorus, and the Greenwich Choral Society. He is also well known as a vocal clinician.

Upon the announcement of Frank's resignation, Dougla Pyrke, Past President and longtime singing member of the Chorale, commented that "In this short time, Frank Nemhauser has managed to endear himself to us. He imparts his knowledge of singing and wonderful sense of musicianship and dedication to quality and hard work. Under his leadership, the Chorale has continued to grow artistically and become an increasingly vital component of Hartford's vibrant musical scene."

Henley Denmead
Mr. Denmead is The Hartford Chorale's founding Music Director. Beginning in 1972, Mr. Denmead and the Chorale performed many of the major works for chorus and orchestra, consistently earning praise from critics and audiences alike. Under Denmead's leadership, the Chorale commissioned and premiered several works, collaborating with such artists as Alice Parker, Dave Brubeck, Frederick Tillis and Edward Diemente. Robert Shaw conducted a one-week residency with the Chorale in 1989, ending with a performance of Brahms' A German Requiem. In addition to Hartford-area performances, in 1998 Mr. Denmead directed the Chorale in a Carnegie Hall performance of Mozart's Requiem. He has toured with members of the group in Greece, Great Britain, Austria and Italy, conducting performances in such cathedrals as Amalfi, Salisbury, St. Mark's (Venice) and St. Stephen's in Vienna. In the summer of 2001, Mr. Denmead and John Daly Goodwin, Music Director of the New York Choral Society, conducted members of both groups in joint concerts in Beijing and Shanghai, which were warmly and enthusiastically received.