Mission Statement
Dolce Canto is an auditioned, non-profit choral ensemble that exists to study and perform exceptional choral literature for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of its members and the general public.
Goals Statement
Dolce Canto endeavors to support its mission and continued existence by:
Performing public concerts;
Participating in local, regional, and international exchanges that build connections between people, encourage engaged citizenship, and promote goodwill;
Contributing to the cultural life of Missoula and the surrounding area through involvement in community events;
Exploring music in a variety of musical styles from a variety of historical periods and cultural origins;
Serving as a resource for music education by engaging with youth and adults throughout Montana in the appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of great choral music; and
Commissioning and performing original works of vocal music.
In addition to his work as Director of Professional Activities for The College Music Society, Peter Park is an active choral conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He is the founding conductor and artistic director of both Dolce Canto and the Missoula Ambassador Choir. Peter conducted the 2006 Wyoming All-State Choir, the 2004 Big Horn Basin District Honor Choir, and led the Missoula Ambassador Choir on a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2005, where the group collaborated with composer Eric Whitacre to present a concert of his music in the Sydney Opera House. As a chorister, Peter toured Austria and the Czech Republic with the Robert Page Festival Singers (1999) and sang as a member of the critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall Workshop Chorus under conductors James Conlon, Sir Neville Marriner, Peter Schreier, and Robert Shaw. He recently was invited to present lectures on Robert Shaw’s legacy and rehearsal techniques in South Korea at Ewha Womans University (Seoul) and Keimyung University (Daegu). Peter received his B.M. in Music Education from The University of Montana. He also led Missoula’s International Choral Festival as Executive Director from 2001–2006, and currently serves on its artistic committee.
Peter Park
2011-2012 Membership
Soprano: Caitlin Anderson, Franny Friesz,
Emily Hackethorn*+, Renee Kloser, Robbin Roshi Rose, Edie Smith, Megan Walker, Hilary Woods.
Alto: Lila Cleminshaw, Renie Gibson*, Teagan Hayes, Caitlin Hepburn, Morgan Hyde, Brenna Mae Hyvonen+, Lois Mandelko-Steinberg, Marie Pettit, Angela Wilkes.
Tenor: Tom Bensen, Thomas Hensley, Saxon Holbrook,
K. David Hyde, Trevor Jones, Scott Milner, Jonathan Rose*, Mike Wolfe.
Bass: Nate Dostal, Micha Krebs, Donald Lentz, Malcolm Lowe, Joel Lankford*, Don Matlock, Michael Marsolek, Andrew Morris.
*Section Leader
+Rehearsal Accompanist
About Dolce Canto
Founded in 2001, Dolce Canto is an auditioned, non-profit choral ensemble that studies and performs exceptional choral literature for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of its members and the public. The choir is comprised of professional musicians, music teachers, community members, and students who share an enthusiasm for the choral art. Its repertoire consists of sacred and secular music—usually a cappella—representing various historical periods and musical styles.
Dolce Canto performs public concerts and participates in local, regional, and international exchanges that build connections, encourage engaged citizenship, and promote goodwill. It contributes to the cultural life of Missoula and the surrounding area by presenting music of many musical styles from a variety of historical periods and cultural origins. Dolce Canto also serves as a resource for music education by engaging with youth and adults throughout Montana and enhancing the appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of great choral music.
The ensemble performs several programs each year for both public and private audiences, and has been featured with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, the Helena Symphony Orchestra, Montana Lyric Opera, and on programs of the Madison River Music Festival, Mineral County Performing Arts Series, Sanders County Performing Arts Series, and St. Timothy’s Summer Music Festival. In March of 2010, the choir was showcased in concert as part of the Northwestern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. Peter Park is both the founding conductor and artistic director of Dolce Canto.
