Voce Board President Tom Cooke Reflects on 20 Years of Voce
It all started so simply in 2005 – with singers from local choirs and music programs, including Larry Allen’s Woodland Scholars, Peter Bagley’s UConn students, and Pam Perry’s singers at ECSU. Some, like me, learned that Mark Singleton – Immanuel Congregational Church’s new Director of Music – was putting together a new professional choir and was holding auditions. Our first rehearsals with Mark were magical, and we knew something special was happening.
Why did we create Voce? The simple answer is that we created Voce because we loved the music we were making, and we wanted to share it with others. We also set three ambitious goals in our new By-Laws requiring us to:
- Foster education;
- Promote public appreciation of the arts; and
- Support not-for-profit organizations in the Hartford area.
In the years that followed, we saw that we had to work harder for these three commitments to be realized in meaningful ways.
In November 2024, Voce launched the Hartford Youth Chorus, a program designed to provide young singers in Hartford with the opportunity to explore and grow in music. What began with 30 singers has now grown to include over 70 families actively involved—showing the power of music to inspire and unite. With the return of Voices of Hartford – created in 2021 to provide a choral experience for older singers in Hartford – young musicians will have opportunities to sing when they outgrow the Hartford Youth Chorus.
Voce’s performances have been modified to focus on our audience, with a commitment to providing immersive experiences that connect deeply with those who attend our concerts. Our performances aren’t just for listening—they’re for feeling, sharing, and thriving together. We want everyone who joins us to leave uplifted and connected to the community.
Looking Forward: Continuing Our Legacy of Giving Through Music
As we celebrate 20 years, we’re more committed than ever to musical excellence, education, and building community. The Hartford Youth Chorus is just one example of how we are helping young artists find their voices. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities for the next generation and to providing powerful experiences that enrich lives.
Thank you for being part of Voce’s journey. Together, we’ll continue to make a difference through the power of choral music.
