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
Leading the chorus
Jim Barkovic, Music Director
Jim is an accomplished choral conductor, church musician, and choral, vocal and instrumental accompanist. In addition to directing the Westford Chorus, he is the Music Director at West Concord Union Church and Holy Family Parish, both in Concord MA. He also serves as the Assistant Conductor and Accompanist for the Spectrum Singers, Chapel Organist and Instructor of Organ at Middlesex School, and Choir Director at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough.
Mr. Barkovic received his Master of Music in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Stephen Drury, performed in master classes for Leonard Shure and Veronica Jochum, and studied organ improvisation with William Porter. A native of Minnesota, he received his undergraduate diploma from St. Olaf College, with concentrations in music theory and history.
Jim joined the Westford Chorus as Music Director in 2009 and has been enthusiastically received by all the singers for his conducting, teaching, and playing skills and his engaging and 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 .
Terry Halco, Assistant Director
Terry is an active accompanist, vocal coach, organist and singer in the Boston area. Originally from Ohio, he received his musical training at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio and at the New England Conservatory of Music.
In addition to Westford Chorus, Mr. Halco is the accompanist and assistant conductor for Musica Sacra (Cambridge), and accompanist for Chorus pro Musica (Boston) and the choruses of the University of Massachusetts in Boston. He also serves as the Music Director at Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church in Cambridge. He has been the accompanist for the Polymnia Choral Society in Melrose, the Emerson College Chorale, and the Simmons College Chorale.
Terry has arranged music for the Chorus, including "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" by George and Ira Gershwin, and the old Appalachian Carol "Jesus, Jesus Rest your Head." 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.
2022 William Thoden Scholarship Award
The Westford Chorus is pleased to announce Abigail (Abby) Williams as the 2022 recipient of the 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.
An elected Board of Directors oversees the chorus:
| Deb Girard | President |
|---|---|
| Margaret Hoag | Treasurer |
| Michael Moore | Clerk |
| Emily Finkel | Membership |
| Mark Johnson | Member at large |
| Melinda Raboin | Publicity |
| Tom Rarich | Member at large |