Douglas Anderson, Music Director
Douglas Anderson is a conductor, composer, educator,and producer who has been active in the New York music scene for over 40 years. He began his professional career as a jazz musician at the age of 12, and made his professional debut as a conductor in 1973, leading the Boston Ballet in Peter and the Wolf on Broadway. Since then he has conducted a variety of ensembles and over 75 world premieres. He holds a doctorate in music composition from Columbia University, and is currently on the faculty of CUNY/Borough of Manhattan, where he is a Professor of Music and was for 14 years Chairman of the Music and Art Department. He is continually in demand as a clinician/adjudicator and for master classes.
Douglas Anderson founded the American Chamber Opera Company in 1984 and conducts the Downtown Symphony in New York City. He is internationally known and a prolific composer, with a variety of works ranging from orchestral to opera to jazz. His opera Medea in Exile, to a libretto by Andrew Joffe, premiered in June 2000. He also wrote the original scores for The King of Jazz, a radio play featured on National Public Radio in October, 2001, and Joshua and David, a movie by Michael Spinelli. In 2009 he was a featured composer at the Bar Harbor Music Festival, where he spoke about his Chamber Symphony No. 3. He is often interviewed for various media,and his opinions on music as well as his own compositions, have been broadcast locally, nationally, and internationally. Douglas Anderson resides with his family in Noxon, New York.
David Johnson, Rehearsal Accompanist
David Johnson is a graduate of Lawrence University, Conservatory of Music, with a major in organ. He earned his M.M.A. from Yale University School of Music, majoring in organ performance with a minor in Harpsichord. David is currently director of music at Greenwich Reform Synagogue and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greenwich, CT. He serves as staff accompanist for the Bedford Central School District. The Putnam Chorale is delighted to have David as rehearsal accompanist and he has been with us for many concert seasons over several years. He has written numerous choral works, several on commission from vocal groups in Greenwich. Mr. Johnson lives in Danbury, CT.
The Board of Directors
Nicholas Simonelli, President
Katherine Gambino, Vice President
Jane Freeman, Secretary
Carol Paterno, Treasurer
Robert Cook
Louise Hazebrouck
Carol Jendras
Pat Miller
Amy Rastadt
Jay Ryan
Webmaster Irene Alcoforado, Pathway Web Designs
The Chorale
The Putnam Chorale includes amateur and aspiring professional singers from Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess counties and nearby Connecticut. All that is required to join this congenial group is a love of singing. There are no auditions, although we take our singing seriously and create compelling performances with various accompaniments ranging from full orchestra to chamber ensembles. Now is always the best time to join us! Tenors and Basses and basses are especially welcome. See Sing with Us for more information on rehearsal locations and details.
The Putnam Chorale Ensemble
The Ensemble is a group of singers whose outreach is dedicated to bringing music to area nursing homes, hospitals, and community events. Anyone may join and participation is separate from the main Chorale. The Ensemble has its own rehearsal schedule which varies according to project.
Other local events where the ensemble has performed:
Old Southeast Church - Summer Sing, Vocal Arts Workshop and Summer Performance
Putnam Nursing Home - Spring/Holiday selections, old favorites
The Plaza at Clover Lake - Spring/Holiday selections, old favorites
Putnam Nursing & Rehabilitation Center - Spring/Holiday selections, old favorites
Putnam Hospital Center - seasonal music
Carmel Hamlet Civic Association - Christmas Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting
Village of Brewster - Christmas Caroling, Founder's Day
Town of Patterson - Special town event
Lake Carmel - Earth Day Celebration
Mahopac Falls Fourth of July Celebration - patriotic selections
Putnam County Park Civil War Reenactment - Civil War music
Chuang Yen Monastery in Kent - Multicultural Millennium Celebration
Mahopac Library - classical music selections
September 11th Memorial - "Rolling Requiem"
If you know of other events in which you'd like to request our participation in, please contact us. Be sure to include:
A description and purpose of the event
Dates and time of the event
Host or sponsor of the event
Music preference for the occasion
Your name and phone number as a contact.
We will discuss your request with the Putnam Chorale Board of Directors and respond back to you promptly.
Thank You for considering us!