Executive Director
Kristina Pasterak
St. Charles Singers is pleased to welcome Kristina Pasterak as its first Executive Director.
Kris has worked as an arts administrator and consultant with organizations including The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Children’s Museum, Cleveland Cultural Coalition, Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels and Ohio Chamber Orchestra. While serving these organizations Kris focused on marketing, education, development, member services and special events.
Kris Pasterak has worked in education and the arts since 1980. She holds a BM of Music Education and a MFA in Arts and Nonprofit Administration. She has taught music and arts classes to all ages (from infants to seniors) in private and public school settings, community service programs, museums and at the collegiate level.
Kris has performed professionally and as a community player on the French horn for over 30 years in orchestras, chamber music groups, musicals and recordings in the U.S. and the U.K. She continues to play as a freelance performer and for personal enjoyment.
Kris will work to foster the mission and vision of St Charles Singers which is to sustain excellence in programming and performance of the finest choral literature both locally and abroad.
Welcome Kris!
A Word From Our New Executive Director Kristina Pasterak
As Charles Singers closes the 2009-2010 season with special guest John Rutter and An Evening of English Choral Music, I reflect on the amazing journey we have had. What an extraordinary opportunity this has been for all of us to work, perform, and enjoy choral music together.
These final concerts bring an exciting and varied concert season to a close. I will remember this, my first season with St. Charles Singers, as an extraordinary time of artistry, growth, and opportunity. Consider this list—Candlelight Carols, the first of The Mozart Journey concerts, performing Vivaldi's Gloria with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, working with John Rutter, collaborating with Metropolis Chamber Orchestra—what an energetic year! Additionally, SCS ensembles performed outreach events at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg, at Niche in Geneva, and the Casino Club in Chicago. High school students have been invited to observe rehearsals with John Rutter in St. Charles and have received scholarships from SCS to continue choral music studies in college. WFMT has broadcast our recordings as have many other classical music stations throughout the U.S.
All of this activity takes a great deal of work and support. I thank Jeff Hunt for his inspired artistic leadership, the musicians for their beautiful voices and excellent instrumental performance, the board, consultants and volunteers for their hard and diligent work, our performing partners and venues for their generosity. But, most of all, I thank you—the patrons for supporting us in the audience and with your donations.
There was sadness too—we bid farewell to our great friend, former board member and patron, Gamgee Dripps, who passed away in October. She will be dearly remembered for her spirit, wit, and efforts in support of St. Charles Singers. She will continue to be honored through the Gamgee Dripps Memorial Fund. Thank you to all who have remembered her with your kind letters and generosity to this fund, which will support educational and outreach efforts of St. Charles Singers.
In the coming months we will be preparing for the 2010-2011 season. What and exciting one it will be. Candlelight Carols will again open the concert season. We will continue with two more concerts in The Mozart Journey, and bring in spring with music from France and Sweden. Outreach events are planned to enrich educational institutions and community groups throughout excellent choral music. SCS will again collaborate with Metropolis Chamber Orchestra and other arts organizations.
Patrons will have the opportunity to become season subscribers, take advantage of group discounts, participate in our new "Friends" group, join the St. Charles Singers Circle, and even "adopt a musician"! Much more is in the planning stages.
Music is an art form of communication—without you, the art is incomplete, the message lost. Thank you for helping us to make this a wonderful year of musical communication.
Please join us for another season of excellent choral music in 2010-2011 by this world-recognized professional choir—your choir—your St. Charles Singers.