A New Director For Choral Society

By Nancy K. Crevier

The news this summer that longtime director of the Newtown Choral Society, Mary Andreotta, would be taking a sabbatical from that duty sent the board of the local singing group scurrying to find a replacement. This week, president of the Newtown Choral Society Laura Lerman was pleased to announce that John Mucci, an accomplished composer from Wilton with two Emmy nominations and who has served on the board of directors for several choral groups in Stamford and New York City, has agreed to direct the organization for the 2008-09 season.

“We are delighted that John Mucci will be leading the Newtown Choral Society while Mary takes a sabbatical,” said Ms Lerman. “John has a firm background in choral music. His love and understanding of music will continue our tradition of growing in singing technique and musical knowledge with every concert. John was an obvious choice when we saw the he, like us, takes his music, but not himself, seriously,” she said. 

Mr Mucci, presently an independent interactive producer for ad agencies, comes to the choral position with a background that encompasses technology and communications, and as a writer/director and musical score composer for Connecticut Public TV programs. He received his MA in educational media from Fairfield University and his BA in English from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pennsylvania.

Among his many professional associations, Mr Mucci is a member of the American Music Center, New York; Connecticut Composers; sings with and is on the board of Pro Arte Singers in Stamford; Crystal Opera in Norwalk; and has served on the board of Il Piccolo Teatro dell’Opera in Brooklyn.

Although he has primarily made his living in the communications business, it is music that is his first love, said Mr Mucci.

“I started out in theater at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg and while there, I wrote several musical plays that were produced,” he said. “I’m also a pianist, but music is a hard way to make a full-time living.”

The listing for the choral director on CraigsList.com caught his attention “It looked like something I would like. Once I met Laura Lerman, that clinched it for me. She is passionate about what she does and when I met with her and some of the members of the Choral Society, we seemed to hit it off well,” said Mr Mucci.

Along with composing music and his work in television and other communication venues, he has continued over the years to serve as an accompanist for opera singers, and also accompanies silent films at colleges and universities and other venues. He has directed ensembles and groups for his own productions and has directed the musicians for the television shows for which he has written the music.

“Programming-wise, I’m pretty much an expert at figuring out what people want and how to present it,” said Mr Mucci. “Once I get to know the people in the group and the voices, I’ll be able to think what would be best for the audience. You have to think, too, about what would the audience like to see?” he said. “People are the one unifying thing in everything I’ve done. If you have the vision, you can do anything.”

The vision he has for the upcoming Choral Society year includes many pieces that he believes will be new for the choral group and for the audience, as well. “Since I come from a dramatic background of theater and television, I am anticipating somewhat of a dramatic performance for the Christmas concert,” said Mr Mucci. Christmas pieces from all over the world will make up the first half of the concert, he said, followed by a performance of a Christmas cantata not often performed, “Der Stern von Bethlehem,” by Josef Rheinberger.

By spring, and the group’s second annual production, he hopes to have a handle on what best suits Newtown Choral Society and its audience. Having written musical pieces for other groups, it would be fun, he said, to write something specifically for the Newtown Choral Society.

In the meantime, he is eager to meet the group at the first rehearsal of the year on September 17.

“I can’t wait to get in there,” he said. “I’m looking forward with intense enthusiasm and I know that the enthusiasm is matched on the Choral Society’s side.”

The Newtown Choral Society is a non-audition group. Only a willingness to learn and a joy of singing is required. For more information about joining Newtown Choral Society, call 426-3769.