The chorale is currently seeking sopranos, tenors, and bass voices. Interested singers should be able to read music and have sight-reading skills. The individual auditions will be in three parts: vocalization, pitch memory and sight singing.

Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday nights at Peace Lutheran Church. Interested singers should e-mail Ryan Murray at ryan.murray@mimchorus.org.

The Music in the Mountains Festival Chorale a 90-voice auditioned group with roots dating back to the 1960s. Under the direction of Ryan Murray, highly acclaimed choral conductor, the group is made up of experienced choral singers from the Grass Valley, Nevada City and Auburn areas. With weekly rehearsals and individual study and practice, the MIM Festival Chorale is dedicated to presenting exceptional, enjoyable performances and maintains professional standards of excellence. The chorus performs in two to four festivals annually and has premiered a number of new works from famous local composers. The group’s repertoire includes a range of a capella and major works with orchestra.

In addition to his work with Music in the Mountains, Murray is musical director for the Modesto Opera and director of vocal activities with the Vocal and Instrumental Teaching Academy (VITA) in Sacramento.

November 4, 2011

Kelly most recently served as executive director of the Nevada City based Sierra Mentoring Partnership, an organization that is dedicated to growing quality mentoring for local youth. Prior to that she was co-executive director for the Ama Foundation, a grassroots US-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most underprivileged children of Nepal with loving homes, education and secure lives.

Kelly is a native of New England and received her B.A. degree in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts. She serves on various committees for the local Center for Nonprofit Leadership, is commissioner for the Nevada County Adult and Family Services Commission and a member of the Board of Directors for the Nevada County Digital Media Center (formerly NCTV).

“I am delighted to be named to this position and look forward to working with the MIM team and the world-renowned artistic director, Gregory Vajda,” Kelly said. “Music is the shared language of this community and for 30 years Music in the Mountains has led the way. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the organization.”

Kelly’s daughter, violinist Matisse Geenty, has participated in MIM’s Young Musicians’ Competition and Young Composers’ programs. Kelly plays the cello herself and is a supporter of classical music.

“We are thrilled to have Cristine join our MIM family. She is a classical music supporter and a musician herself, has an accomplished professional history and is devoted to our community,” commented Sherry Bartolucci, MIM Board of Directors president. “Cristine also has first hand experience of our extensive education offerings and will be an excellent resource as we grow those programs.”

We are proud to announce that this year’s Maestro Award recipient is Jeffrey Shattuck Leiter, a long-time part of the MIM family, civic and community leader and supporter of the arts.

Presented annually, the Maestro Award is the highest recognition of service to Music in the Mountains. The award recognizes work in pursuit of our mission to bring major cultural, educational and economic contributions to our community through performances of predominantly classical music. Those honored are selected for extraordinary contributions of time, talent, “and treasure.”

Jeff Leiter served on the MIM Board of Directors for a decade, and as Board President from 2007-2009. He has been a key member of MIM standing committees. He is a generous donor of funds, time and talent, including opening his home for MIM special events. Leiter is extremely knowledgeable about classical music and has often helped with MIM’s programming. He is passionate about MIM’s mission and vision, and we are truly blessed to have him as a part of this organization.

Leiter is a fifth-generation member of Berkeley’s founding Shattuck family, some of whom wrote the charter for the City of Oakland and served as the third and fourth mayors. Leiter himself was the 19^th Mayor of Berkeley, and has served on many boards of directors. These include the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, architectural and design associations, medical centers and hospice care organizations, community funding, the Rotary Club of Berkeley and many more.

Leiter relocated his family’s real estate investment corporation, M.K. Black Estate Co., to Grass Valley in 1997. He has continued to be an active member of the community. Leiter was awarded Berkeley’s most prestigious award, The Benjamin Ide Wheeler Medal, in 2001. He now makes Grass Valley his permanent home as does his sister Robin and his mother Milda Leiter.

The Maestro Award was first given in 1998 and the statuette was sculpted by Nevada City’s Dr. Marian Gallaher. We are honored to pass this award on to Jeff Leiter who has given so much to MIM and to every community he has joined.

Past Maestro Award Recipients

2009 – Robert & Carol Hamilton, Gene & Nina Zepp
2008 – Gail Fox, Paul Perry (Artistic Director Emeritus)
2007 – Diane Robertson, Mark Strate
2006 – Wayne Pittenger
2005 – Frank & LaVonne Amaral, Dieter Juli, Ed Robinson
2004 – Hazel Shewell, William & Mary Ghidotti Foundation
2003 – Jan Doting, Sylvia Mitchell, Laura Keranen, Desmond Gallagher
2002 – Madelyn DiMugno, James Maxwell, Virginia & Butch Thresh
2001 – Marian Gallaher, MD, Dick Wiebe, Isabell Thomas
2000 – Helen “Hank” Daggett, Jack Roberts, David Griswold
1999 – William & Shirley Griffin, Marguerite Blickenstaff
1998 – Kathryn Clauset, Beverly Erickson, William Wetherall

Our two-week SummerFest Series was well attended and critically acclaimed. Thank you to all who purchased tickets and volunteered.