Press Release – Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus Director Announcement
December 28, 2022
CONTACT: CALEB BAILEY, 860-443-2876, [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Click here for announcement PDF
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus (ECSC) Appoints New Director, Dr. Daniel McDavitt
Following a recent search for a new director, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus (ECSC) has appointed Dr. Daniel McDavitt as its Director. Dr. McDavitt succeeds past ECSC Director Wendy Moy.
Upon notification of his selection, Daniel had the following statement: ” I am thrilled to join the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra team. I was so impressed with the Chorus’s zeal for performing major choral-orchestral works, and their eagerness to revive the ensemble following an extended pandemic-related hiatus. I’m a big believer in the role choral music has in a community. As the English conductor John Rutter put it, “It’s something that goes to the very heart of our humanity, our sense of community, and our souls.” I look forward to working with the Chorus, the Orchestra, and Maestro Shimada to be part of contributing music of the highest quality to our community.”
Daniel will lead the Chorus in preparation for their classical concert appearance with the ECSO on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Additionally, he will prepare and direct the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus for their concerts in the fall and winter.
His musical enthusiasm and approach to rehearsing is part of what made him stand out in the interview and audition with Chorus singers. Dr. McDavitt was quoted as saying, “my rehearsals go far beyond learning notes. We talk about the music, its meaning, history, and context. Above all, I aim to inspire the singers to seek deep, personal meaning in the music we perform. If done with enthusiasm and openness, this kind of preparation has the potential to produce unforgettable, life-altering performances for singers and audience members alike.”
Joining the Chorus:
If you would like to join the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus, please reach out to Chorus President, Kathy Walburn at [email protected] to learn more about this ensemble. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings in New London. There’s nothing quite like the experience of singing in a group and joining an orchestra onstage to perform symphonic works and we hope you’ll consider joining us if you like to sing!
Upcoming performance opportunities include singing with the ECSO on the Garde Arts Center stage in March 2023.
About Dr. Daniel McDavitt:
Dr. Daniel McDavitt is Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, and Director of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus. He previously held faculty appointments at Goucher College, Loyola University, and Knox College. As a composer, his music is published by Walton Music, E. C. Schirmer, and Gentry Publications, and has received commissions from numerous choral organizations, including a 2018 commission from Barlow Endowment for Music Composition. He frequently presents his research at the Oxford Conducting Institute at the University of Oxford and was honored with Goucher College’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017.
About the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus:
The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus (ECSC)was founded as a subsidiary of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in 1967 with Connecticut College Choral Director James F. Armstrong directing. The ECSC is comprised of approximately 60 volunteer, auditioned singers of all ages. They perform with the ECSO annually in a subscription concert as well as independently in choral repertoire concerts, a December holiday concert, and Palm Sunday concerts in Norwich.
ECSO general copy:
We are thrilled to announce our 22-23 Season lineup, curated by Music Director and Conductor
Toshiyuki Shimada. Season highlights include Grammy-award-winning cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio performing the Elgar Cello Concerto in October, the return of the New London Big Band in January, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus singing in Brahms’ A German Requiem, and the Earth Day Celebration concert in April. From early fall to late spring, the 75-plus member professional Symphony Orchestra presents six subscription concerts annually, most of which feature guest soloists. Subscription concerts are performed at the historic award-winning Garde Arts Center on State Street in New London.
Visit www.ectsymphony.com for more information and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) @ectsymphony. The ECSO offers a range of affordable seating options from $65 to as low as $12 for attendance to one concert. The ECSO will continue to offer those under 40 years of age and active or retired military members $12 tickets in premium sections. ECSO is also active in promoting music education in New London by offering educational programs, watch our website for details.
Founded in 1946 by Norwegian immigrant, Victor Norman, the mission of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is to inspire, educate, and connect our communities through live orchestral music.
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