LCCU welcomes all ages to sing new styles

By Andra Moss

The Litchfield County Choral Union (LCCU) is entering its 127th concert year with decidedly youthful energy. Under the direction of Music Director Dr. Gabriel Löfvall, the LCCU will convene a youth choral festival in Norfolk in late spring; offer a series of choral seminars starting in April; lend their voices to a celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence; and bring the jubilant sound of bluegrass harmonies to its annual August concert.

“This is definitely a programmatic shift for LCCU,” notes LCCU President Felix Graham-Jones. “We’re stepping up our game a little.” He fully credits Löfvall as the driving force behind the changes. The Argentine conductor, pianist and singer—and artistic director of Chorus Angelicus, the Torrington-based children’s choir—accepted the LCCU directorship in 2024 and has set his sights on growing it into a multigenerational chorus.

Graham-Jones acknowledges that while the LCCU, a non-auditioned choir that is open to all, “has a lot of history and a lot of aspirations,” if it wants to evolve, it needs to engage with more music lovers from Gen Z to Millennials.

To this end, the LCCU is amping up its profile. First up: a youth choral festival to be hosted in Norfolk’s Battell Chapel this spring. The details are still being worked out, but at least two local high schools will come together, first to sing their own pieces and then to join the LCCU for a group grand finale. Graham-Jones and Löfvall envision this as an ongoing annual event with a rotating roster of high schools—and a major opportunity to engage with and recruit local young singers.

Also new this year will be a series of seminars focusing on the basic skill set required of choral singers. Music educator Dawn Marie Conroy, a LCCU member, has crafted three seminars that Graham-Jones describes as “perfect for anyone who is ‘chorus curious.’ They are designed to welcome in new singers and give them the confidence to be part of the chorus.” These will be offered prior to the LCCU’s regular rehearsal period and will, it is hoped, also act as a means of recruiting willing local singers.

The seminars are scheduled for Sunday afternoons on April 19, May 3 and May 17, at 4 p.m., in Battell Chapel. There is no charge for first-time attendees and a nominal registration fee for others.

Thus fortified, the chorus can anticipate an especially inspiring summer program, says Graham-Jones. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Dr. Löfvall has designed a program unlike any in recent LCCU memory. It will be performed at the Norfolk Music Shed on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m., as part of Weekend in Norfolk.

Two pillars of that program will be Carol Barnett’s “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass” and Cecelia McDowall’s “Everyday Wonders: The Girl From Aleppo.” McDowall’s piece calls for the integration of a children’s choir and Barnett’s is scored for the unusual combination of chamber chorus and bluegrass ensemble of mandolin, violin, guitar, banjo and string bass.

“Barnett’s composition is a full Mass,” marvels Graham-Jones. “It has all the components of a proper celebratory Mass but is conducted in the style of bluegrass music.” He describes it as the perfect entry point for choral music lovers to the sound of bluegrass, and for bluegrass fans to the beauty of choral singing.

“Both pieces present vibrant challenges,” Graham-Jones acknowledges, “and I’m delighted that Gabriel has the confidence in the chorus’ ability to take this on.” The LCCU has generally presented Viennese oratorios and cantatas of the classical canon. What will they do with the sounds of Aleppo and Appalachia? Graham-Jones is thrilled to find out, he says, adding, “The way Gabriel’s eyes light up when he speaks about this makes me feel it’s going to be one heck of a ride this summer!” The Litchfield County Choral Union consists of 50-plus singers who rehearse Monday evenings from May through early August. They are always looking for new members and welcome all applicants. The call for singers will be issued in late March, and registration information can be found online at www.litchfieldcountychoralunion.com.