About the Westford Chorus
Bringing choral music to Westford and beyond
Since its founding in 1983, the Westford Chorus has transcended the boundaries of community chorus by performing diverse and challenging works ranging from Mozart's Requiem to P.D.Q. Bach's The Seasonings, from Renaissance polyphony to Spanish Christmas carols, from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana to 1940s swing, to costumed productions of favorites such as Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, and Bizet's Carmen. The Chorus has sung with orchestral backup, 18-piece swing bands, and eclectic world music groups such as Urban Myth.
Westford Chorus is supported in part by grants from the Westford Cultural Council and Chelmsford Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The Westford Cultural Council presented a 2019 Certificate of Recognition to the Chorus "In Recognition of excellence in the arts and community service".
Westford Chorus is a member of the
- Central Massachusetts Choral Consortium www.MassChoral.org
and - Greater Boston Choral Consortium www.bostonsings.org
2021 William Thoden Scholarship Award
The Westford Chorus is pleased to announce John Mejia as the 2021 recipient of the $300 William Thoden Scholarship Award. The award is named in the memory of beloved chorus and board member Bill Thoden. It is given to a Westford Academy senior who intends to pursue studies in any aspect of choral music.
Leading the chorus
Jim Barkovic, Music Director
Jim is active in the Boston area as a conductor, pianist, organist and accompanist. In addition to directing the Westford Chorus, he is the Assistant Conductor and Accompanist for the Spectrum Singers.
Jim joined the chorus as Music Director in 2008 and has been enthusiastically received by all the singers for his conducting, teaching, playing skills and his humorous personality that embraces all members of the chorus.
On the tenth anniversary as Music Director of the chorus, a video was made including testimonials by 10 members of the chorus. To view the tribute to Jim you can click here: Barkovic Anniversary Tribute Video .
Jim also serves as Music Director at West Concord Union Church and Holy Family Parish, both in Concord MA. He is the Chapel Organist at Middlesex School in Concord MA. Jim received his Master of Music in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory. A native of Minnesota, Jim did his undergraduate work at St. Olaf College, with concentrations in music history and theory.
Terry Halco, Assistant Director
Terry is an active accompanist, organist and singer in the Boston area. Originally from Ohio, he received his musical training at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio and at the New England Conservatory of Music.
In addition to Westford Chorus, Terry is the accompanist for Chorus pro Musica (Boston), Musica Sacra (Cambridge) and the choruses of the University of Massachusetts in Boston. He also serves as the Music Director at Harvard Epworth Church, located in Cambridge. He has been the accompanist for the Polymnia Choral Society in Melrose, the Emerson College Chorale, and the Simmons College Chorale.
As a singer, he has performed with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the vocal ensemble Capella Alamire. His recordings include Kurt Weill's Johnny Johnson, directed by Joel Cohen on the Erato label, and The Early Josquin, directed by Peter Urquhart on the Dorian label.
An elected Board of Directors oversees the chorus:
Click on a name, below, to send email to a Director.
| Deb Girard | President |
|---|---|
| Margaret Hoag | Treasurer |
| Michael Moore | Clerk |
| Emily Finkel | Membership |
| Tom Rarich | Webmaster |