Sofia Celenza

During the two years I first knew Zeke at Dartmouth (his first and second years), he was voraciously curious, unfailingly kind, and unstoppable in his quest to learn. His extraordinary gifts spanned music and languages in particular, and he was an amazing teacher. Zeke sang in Handel Society, took conducting, and served as an assistant…

God Speed, Chris. You were the best of us.

I heard about Christopher’s unexpected death and have been heart-broken ever since. It is not exaggerating to say he changed my life. Music and singing are so important to my sense of self and well being. I have worked (as a very amateur and inadequate singer) with many many conductors since childhood. Christopher was incomparable…

Christopher was to have joined us in Norfolk to conduct the Yorke Trust’s summer opera production of Handel’s Jephtha this year after a stunningly successful Come & Sing Mozart’s Requiem day in February, and Jennifer Hamilton’s memorable production of Purcell’s The Tempest last July.  Members of our community chorus, seasoned amateurs and those new to…

For Christopher A great shadow has darkened the sky. The birds have begun their silent mourning. They sense the powerful moment of someone’s passing. Nature knows another spirit has retired from the earth, and we who remain behind veil our faces as we weep uncontrollably. Incomplete explanations force our minds to ask and ask again,…

Where do songs go after they are sung? Now you have found the answer first. Prematurely. But that is not the end of music. We all will meet again and get ready for the next verse.