In November, we hosted our first Small Ensemble Festival. The event sold out quickly, so we are happy to announce that we are offering a second festival this spring. Registration is open!
Our first Small Ensemble Festival was a success! Eight high schools from around the state worked with our clinicians, Emma Brondolo and Frank Martignetti at the beautiful Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in Fairfield. A special thank you to our Festival Chair, Kevin Cotellese, for all of his organization to make this amazing day possible, and to our hosts at Sacred Heart, including Christopher Grundy and John Morrow.
CT-ACDA is proud to invite small ensembles (< 24 singers) to the beautiful Sacred Heart University Community Theater in Fairfield on November 15, 2023. Participants will perform a 10-minute set, and then receive a 25-30 minute clinic with one of our esteemed clinicians. Additionally, each ensemble will get to observe another performing ensemble either before or after their own performance & clinic.
This event is co-chaired by our High School R&R Chair, Kevin Cotellese and our Treble Choir R&R Chair, Louise Carrozza. We encourage high school ensembles comprised of any voicing or skill level to register! Space is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register early.
Questions? Email Kevin Cotellese.
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Emma Brondolo is Artistic Director of the award-winning Young People's Chorus at Thurnauer, and Director of Early Childhood Music and Voice at JCC Thurnauer School of Music. Mrs. Brondolo expanded the choral program introducing hundreds of new singers to the YPC curriculum. She developed Thurnauer's voice program, helping to develop singers and teachers working with youth. As director of the Early Childhood Music Program, Mrs. Brondolo instituted a new curriculum and new faculty to better serve the early childhood community at the JCC.
Emma Brondolo has been a festival conductor for regional choral celebrations and participated in choral competitions around the world. Mrs. Brondolo studied for over 20 years with Francisco Núñez, founder/ director of the Young People's Chorus of New York City; Received her B.M. in music education from the Hartt School of Music; and earned an M.Ed. in special and general education from St. John's University. She has participated in numerous conducting workshops and Kodaly Pedagogy training. She has taught music at Sage Park Middle School, Intensive Education Academy, PS 69x, PS 178, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, Solomon Schechter Day School, Paterson Public Schools and Englewood Public Schools.
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Frank Martignetti is the inaugural director of Sacred Heart University’s Music Education Program, and Director of Music at First Church Congregational, Fairfield. Prior to becoming a university faculty member, Frank served as an award-winning teacher in K-12 schools, receiving the New Haven Symphony’s 2006 Excellence in Music Teaching Award. As a conductor, he led the University of Bridgeport’s choral program 2005-21 and the Mystic River Chorale 2008-21 and was a national finalist for the 2015 American Prize in Choral Conducting. Frank has served as CT-ACDA Treasurer since 2017 and holds degrees from Rochester (BA), Eastman (BM), Cincinnati (MM), NYU (Ph.D.)