Our History

​Founded in 1974 by Jameson Marvin, then Director of Choral Music at Vassar College, and Robert Lewis, an instrumentalist with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the group was originally named the Cappella Festiva Chamber Choir and Orchestra. Their vision was to bring the music of Johann Sebastian Bach to life in the Hudson Valley. 

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In 1978, Jameson Marvin was appointed Director of Choral Activities at Harvard University. Luis Garcia-Renart, a renowned cellist and conductor, assumed leadership of Cappella Festiva and directed the ensemble for more than 20 years. A student of Pablo Casals and Mstislav Rostropovich, Garcia-Renart expanded the ensemble’s repertoire to include not only Bach but also Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary works. Under his leadership, Cappella Festiva built a strong local following and presented concerts throughout the region. The group’s 25th anniversary in 1999 featured four all-Bach concerts, culminating in a memorable performance of the Mass in B Minor in Skinner Hall at Vassar College. In the early 1990s, Cappella was honored to join forces with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, participating in acclaimed performances of works such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Mozart’s Requiem. This collaboration marked a new chapter of artistic partnership and regional recognition.

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In 2001, Dr. James Bagwell was appointed Music Director. Then newly appointed to the faculty at Bard College, Dr. Bagwell brought national experience and an expansive artistic vision to Cappella’s programming and outreach. 

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Dr. Christine Howlett was appointed Artistic Director in 2006. Under her leadership, Cappella Festiva continues to present masterworks alongside contemporary repertoire, expanding the ensemble’s artistic reach. Cappella Festiva has commissioned new works by composers James Fitzwilliam and Shavon Lloyd, with an upcoming commission by Shawn Kirchner in celebration of the ensemble’s 50th anniversary. Cappella Festiva has collaborated with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Hudson Valley Symphonic Orchestra, Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Vassar College Choirs. The ensemble has been honored to perform at Carnegie Hall, most notably under the direction of Sir John Rutter, and recently under Daniel Bara. 

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Conductor Susan Bialek and Dr. Howlett initiated new educational programs, co-founding the Summer Choral Festival and the Cappella Festiva Treble Choir.  Under the direction of Susan Bialek between 2006 and 2014, the Treble Choir, in partnership with Cappella Festiva, performed at Vassar’s Modfest and Lessons and Carols, collaborated with the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers, and presented stand-alone concerts at venues such as First Lutheran and Fishkill Baptist. They took part in choral festivals with Dutchess Day School and Derby Academy, featured twice in Rhinebeck’s Sinterklaas festival, and saw students join Bard’s SummerScape children’s opera chorus for King Roger in Polish. Highlights included a workshop and performance with Bob Chilcott, a festival massed-choir appearance at Carnegie Hall under Jean Ashworth Bartle, co-hosting the Toronto Children’s Chorus at Vassar, and performing a wide variety of repertoire in many languages—one student even kept count! The Treble Choir served young singers ages 10–17 from 2006 to 2022 by Susan Bialek (2006-2014), Christine Howlett (2014-2017), Matthew Zydel (2017-2022), and Natalie Bunta (2022-2023).

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Under the direction of Matt Zydel, highlights include the Jim Papoulis Songwriting Workshop, performances at Vassar’s MODfest, and a collaboration with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic in Carmina Burana (May 2018). In October 2019, the Treble Choir and Vassar College hosted the Maryland Children’s Chorus in a performance of Bob Chilcott’s Peace Mass. Earlier that year, the Treble Choir was among the first performers at Poughkeepsie’s newly renovated Trolley Barn (May 2019). Their COVID-era video of Anthony Trecek-King’s On My Way remains the most-watched video in Cappella’s collection. 

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In 2017, Cor Capriccio Children’s Choir, a training choir for children in grades 2–5, was founded under the direction of early childhood music specialist Elizabeth Clifton. These young singers have performed at A Service of Lessons at Carols and the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College, and the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum. Cappella Festiva also partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Poughkeepsie and the Community Foundations to support choral singing for the Boys and Girls Club Choir, directed by Melinda Aaron. 

 

Through its 50-year history, Cappella Festiva has remained true to its founding spirit while evolving into a cornerstone of musical life in the Hudson Valley. From the music of Bach to newly commissioned works, from seasoned singers to the youngest singers, Cappella Festiva remains dedicated to the transformative power of choral music—past, present, and future.