Arianne Abela, an award-winning Yale University-trained conductor, has been named director of the Chorister Academy at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Waterbury. She succeeds Maria Coffin, founder of the six-year-old youth music program, based at the church, located at 16 Church St.Ms. Abela graduated in May from the Yale University School of Music/Institute of Sacred Music with a Master of Music degree in conducting.
“We at St. John’s are thrilled to have a young conductor who brings such a depth of experience,” said the Rev. Norman M. MacLeod, Interim Rector of the parish, located at 16 Church Street.
The Rev. MacLeod is serving the parish as it searches for a successor to the Rev. James Bradley, who retired in April after a 20-year ministry in Waterbury.
The Chorister Academy at St. John’s is associated with the parish but is open to youth from third grade through high school, regardless of religious background. It employs the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music, designed both to teach music fundamentals and encourage excellence in performance.
The Chorister Academy at St. John’s is associated with the parish but is open to youth from third grade through high school, regardless of religious background. It employs the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music, designed both to teach music fundamentals and encourage excellence in performance.
The first rehearsal and auditions led by Ms. Abela will take place at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9 at St. John’s.
In addition to her skills as a conductor, Ms. Abela is an accomplished singer and soloist, having spent years performing with the San Francisco Girls Chorus, which awarded her for her leadership, commitment and excellence. As an undergraduate at Smith College, she performed with the Chamber Singers, College Chorus and Glee Club. While attending the Northampton, Massachusetts college, she began her conducting career. Before graduating in 2008, she received the Susan Rose Award, granting her full funding to travel to Bulgaria to conduct the Verdi Requiem with the Vidlin State Philharmonica Orchestra.
While at Yale, she conducted or assisted with the Yale Glee Club, the Yale Camerata, the Saybrook College Orchestra, the Yale Chapel Choir and the Yale Repertory Chorus. She also conducted professional choirs at Christ Episcopal Church, New Haven.
The Chorister program is open to new members. For more information, please call the church at 203-754-3116 or visit the parish Web site.
