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Congratulations to Richard Coffey,
who was recently awarded a Major Achievement award by the
Hartford Symphony Orchestra! He was presented with a plaque which
states: "The Hartford Symphony Orchestra salutes Richard Coffey
for outstanding and inspiring artistic leadership of the HSO's two
major choral partners, CONCORA and The Hartford Chorale."
And more congratulations to Richard
Coffey, who was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement in the
Arts award by the Greater New Britain Arts Alliance.
Richard Coffey was named Interim Music Director of the Chorale
in April 2005, following the resignation of Frank Nemhauser. After
one year, the Chorale was thrilled to offer Mr. Coffey the position
of Music Director.
Of the appointment, Mr. Coffey said, “It is a great honor
to be invited to serve the Hartford Chorale as its Music Director.
The Chorale has served for more than three decades as the region’s
principal chorus for presenting large symphonic works and, with
the Hartford
Symphony Orchestra, has brought to our community many memorable
and one-of-a-kind musical experiences. The Chorale and CONCORA
(Connecticut Choral Artists), which I also conduct, are about the
same age and have co-existed happily these many years, each honoring
and supporting the musical endeavors of the other. I look forward
to the exciting years ahead.”
In addition to being the founding Artistic Director of CONCORA,
Mr. Coffey is Organist and Minister of Music of the South Church
of New Britain, where he also serves as Artistic Director of its
Music Series,
which annually presents concerts of visiting artists.
Mr. Coffey has prepared choruses for many orchestras and festivals
including Orchestra New England, Springfield (MA) Symphony, the
Bard Music Festival, and the Harkness Summer Music Festival. He
was chorusmaster for the Connecticut Opera Association from 1988
until 1993. He has also served on the faculties of Hartt School,
University of Hartford, SummerTerm at Central Connecticut State
University, President’s College of the University of Hartford,
the Colby Church Music Institute in Waterville, Maine and the University
of Connecticut at Storrs.
Mr. Coffey has served on the boards of the Hartford Chapter of
the American Guild of Organists and Chorus America. He often serves
as an adjudicator and clinician for competitions and festivals.
From 1980 to 1985 he served on a panel of advisors to the Institute
of Sacred Music at Yale University and often makes presentations
at national conventions of the AGO, Choral Directors Association,
and Chorus America. Mr. Coffey holds degrees in music from the University
of North Carolina at Greensboro and the School of Sacred Music of
Union Theological Seminary in New York. He makes presentations at
regional and national conventions of the AGO, ACDA (American Choral
Directors Association), and Chorus America. 
Ehren Brown is a native of Manchester, NH. He holds a Bachelor
of Arts degree in music and a Bachelor of Science degree in music
education from the University of Connecticut, where he pursued studies
in vocal performance and choral conducting. Most recently, Mr. Brown
received a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting under Peter
Bagley at the University of Connecticut. He has pursued additional
conducting studies with Mark Singleton and Jeffrey Renshaw. An active
performer as well as conductor, Mr. Brown sings with several ensembles
in the Hartford area, including Voce, CONCORA, and the Hartford
Chorale. While at the University of Connecticut, he co-founded and
directed the all-male vocal ensemble A Completely Different Note.
Currently, Mr. Brown serves as Director of Music at St. Mark’s
Episcopal Chapel in Storrs, Assistant Conductor of the Hartford
Chorale, and Artistic Director of the Vernon Chorale.
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