ABOUTUS
MISSION STATEMENT
Established in 2013, the Metropolitan Choral Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing volunteer singers the opportunity to perform major choral works with professional musicians and soloists in front of a live audience.
The annual festival performance is free to the public and singers are not auditioned, encouraging participation from all walks of life throughout the Denver metro region.
RICKI
VORRATH-MOYER
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Ricki Vorrath-Moyer attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, then received her Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She went on to receive her Master of Music degree in Organ Performance, with minor emphases in choral conducting and piano pedagogy. She is currently Organist/Accompanist at First Plymouth Congregational Church, Cherry Hills Village and serves as the Principal Accompanist for the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus.
MATT KINGHAM
ACCOMPANIST
Matthew Kingham received both his Bachelor of Music degree and Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. Matthew has been organist and associate director of music at St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Kirk of Bonnie Brae since 2001. He is also a part time accompanist for the Colorado Children’s Chorale and The Aurora Singers. Since 2013, Matthew has been the full-time accompanist for all seven choirs at Denver East High School.
ERIC BERTOLUZZI
ORCHESTRA ADVISOR
Eric Bertoluzzi played cello for 42 years in the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO). He retired in the spring of 2013 and is now the Executive Director of Englewood Arts. Englewood Arts is a community resource dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through art education, performance, and partnerships. Their ranks include many top artists and performers, including many musicians from CSO.
HISTORY OF MCF
The Metropolitan Choral Festival (MCF) was formed after the passing of Ronald J. Williams (1947-2013), Founder and Director of the Broomfield Choral Festival which preceded MCF. The mission of both organizations was based on presenting a free concert of major choral works to the public annually. Mr. Williams was an active conductor, musician, teacher and avid composer, arranging over 130 hymns for small band ensemble, piano and organ. His vocal works have been performed in concert by many area chorales. MCF is honored to continue his musical legacy and love for choral music.
MEET THE BOARD
The Metropolitan Choral Festival is a registerd 501c3 nonprofit organization overseen by a board of directors, comprised of local business professionals and musicians. The board is responsible for fundraising as well as the annual planning and execution of the festival program.
Kunle Taiwo President
Charlie Miller Registered Agent
Carol High Director
Howard Brand Director
Joyce Witte Director
Ricki Vorrath-Moyer Artistic Director
In addition to the many hours they spend preparing vocally for the concert performances, directors also serve many volunteer roles including: coordinating facility rentals for rehearsals and performances; planning and executing the post-concert reception; providing legal counsel to the organization; managing public relations including concert promotion and external communications; and they are responsible for annual fundraising and donor relations.