Barry Asch

Cappella Cantorum announces the retirement of its co-founder, Music Director, and Conductor Barry B. Asch, from the Cappella Cantorum MasterWorks Chorus. Asch has conducted the MasterWorks Chorus for forty seven years with over sixty five Major Choral Works. The initial performance was March 1970 with the Schubert Mass in E Flat. Asch formed the popular Cappella Cantorum Men’s Chorus in 1977, and the SummerSings series in 1987. Both events still continue. The Eighth Annual Messiah Sing or Listen in 2016 at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center was nearly filled to capacity. This favorite Holiday tradition was conducted and organized by Barry. The Kate will host the Ninth annual event on Sunday, December 17, 2017.

Group Sessions and Vocal Classes have been offered to Cappella Members with renowned Soprano Patricia Schuman and Tenor Brian Cheney.

Asch began Cappella Cantorum’s European Concert Tours in 1981. The Tours are currently organized by member Patricia Hill of Madison.

A highlight of Cappella Cantorum was performing six concerts at Carnegie Hall, New York City with Mid-America Productions. There also was one invitation from XXX to perform at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. These opportunities were initiated by Conductor Asch.

Cappella Cantorum has represented twenty communities from three counties in southeastern Connecticut.

Simon Holt

Simon Holt, Artistic Director of Salt Marsh Opera and Director of Music at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will be the new Music Director of the Cappella Cantorum MasterWorks Chorus.

Release From: Claudia Epright, Past President, 860-526-1038; cepright@truevine.net