December 2021
This Month in the Boulder Chorale

We are joyously celebrating the fact that all six Boulder Chorale choirs were able to return to the stage in our recent joint holiday concerts—A Season of Infinite Possibilities. It has been two years since we were able to safely sing all together for our greater Boulder community in a live concert setting and what a thrill it was to be able to share the gift of song with you this season. 

We gratefully acknowledge that the success of our organization depends on our greater community—our audience base, members, and other generous donors—who join us in support of our mission by giving of their time and resources. Most recently we raised $12,068.22 from 77 generous donors through Colorado Gives Day. We are grateful to those that financially contributed as a way of making our musical season of "infinite possibilities" possible! We are always accepting donations and ask that you consider the Boulder Chorale in your end-of-year giving.

Our mission is to enrich a broad community through music and we hold community as one of our highest values within our organization. We have let Music Lead the Way, sung past the difficulties of the global pandemic, and are eagerly anticipating providing more programming for you in the remainder of our season through upcoming concerts such as Origins: The Fertile Crescent with our adult choirs in early March and It's a Grand Night For Singing with our children's choirs in April. We look forward to continuing to serve our community through song! 
P.S. Thanks to your generosity, our DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) Committee collected 453 lbs. of canned food at the holiday concert which were delivered to Emergency Family Assistance Association last week. It took four vehicles to deliver the food.
Meet Our Staff
Larisa Dreger
Boulder Children's Chorale Co-Artistic Director
Boulder Concert & Chamber Chorale Assistant Artistic Director
Larisa Dreger is currently in her 5th year with the Boulder Chorale. She began as an assistant director for the adult ensembles, and later began directing ensembles for the Children’s Chorale. Currently, she is Assistant Artistic Director for the Boulder Chorale adult choruses, the Co-Artistic Director for the Boulder Children’s Chorale, and director of the Piccolini and Prima Voce children’s choruses, grades K-4. 

Larisa received her Bachelors of Music Education and Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Northern Colorado. She has taught elementary general music, middle school choir, guitar, orchestra, drama, and coached high school marching band in four school districts along the Front Range. In addition to her work with the Chorale, Larisa currently teaches K-11 general music and group piano classes with Cherry Creek Options Homeschool Program.

The Chorale is very fortunate to have Larisa on staff. She is caring, thoughtful, and authentic. She is an excellent pedagogue, and always works to find the best solution for everyone. When asked for short quotes regarding their experiences with Mrs. Dreger, parents and members responded quickly and in great numbers; many wanted to bear witness to the ways Larisa had impacted their life. Here are a few highlights from the letters received (see full quotes here):

“Honestly, Larisa has such a loving, kind way about her and she’s so genuine—she’s someone I feel really blessed to know and have in my life.” (Stella Pradeau, Pianist)

“She's the best Assistant Director the Chorale has had in my more than a decade with the Boulder Chorale.” (John Lee, Chorale Member)

“Mrs. D is a magic-maker. My daughter loved her first semester in BCC and Mrs. D consistently went above and beyond to give her meaningful feedback to continue to grow as a singer. My daughter left every single rehearsal joyful, happy, and . . . singing!!” (Laura McCalmon, Parent)

“It's too hard to think of nice things to say about Mrs. D. There are WAY too many!!!” (Mila, Student)

“Larisa possesses the rare gift of demonstrating excellence in work with adults and children-she transitions from one to the other seamlessly. She was so fortunate to have her talents!” (Susan Arends, Chorale Member)

As Artistic Director, Vicki Burrichter, wrote, “She is a fine and precise musician, a strong choral singer, charming and skilled with the children, and a thoughtful leader. We are so lucky to have her with us in a variety of roles at The Boulder Chorale!”

Thanks for being part of the Chorale family, Larisa!