About Crescendo

Crescendo’s mission is to give its audience and performers classical music experiences that are emotionally alive and personally meaningful.

Crescendo Board of Directors
Maureen S. Bateman, Lakeville, CT • President
Henry (Pete) Putzel III, Sharon, CT • Vice President
Grace Schalkwyk Yowell, Sharon, CT • Treasurer
Brian Farrell, South Egremont, MA • Secretary
Thomas Schindler, Lakeville, CT • Communications
Kathy Drake, Millerton, NY
Sarah Melcher, Torrington, CT
Michael Nesbitt, Lakeville, CT

Ex-Officio Christine Gevert, Founding Artistic Director

Advisers to Crescendo’s Board
Gaile Binzen, Geoffrey Brown, John Cheney, Donald Freedman, Marilyn Gross, Catherine Hancock, Sally & Fred Harris, Sally Haver, John Katz, Lisa Keller, Lynden Miller, Sarah Morrison, Martha Nesbitt, Randy Orzano, Stephen Potter, Roberta Roll, Dr. Kerala Snyder, Mary C. Sullivan, Mary Verdi, Susan Vreeland, Janet Walker, Larry Wallach, Trudy Weaver Miller, Allen Young

Staff and Volunteers
Box Office and Data Management: Susan Francisco
Event Management: Linda Lloyd
Concert Set Up: Gordon Gustafson

“Crescendo is a unique organization with a stellar reputation in the early music world. Members of Boston’s and New York’s early music communities have grown to admire and respect Crescendo as one of the most groundbreaking of ensembles in the U.S.”

Dr. Julianne Baird, Rutgers University

SINGERS based in the Berkshires are invited to join Crescendo’s Ensembles: Crescendo Chorus, Crescendo Vocal Ensemble, Crescendo Young Artists Program. We have openings for both amateur and paid professional positions in all voice groups. A limited number of scholarships are available. We regularly perform in Lakeville, CT and Great Barrington, MA. Learn more, and schedule and audition by writing to: crescendo@crescendomusic.org

Crescendo is a family of music lovers that bring exquisite choral music to audiences throughout New England.

“Over the years some in our area thought that Crescendo couldn’t succeed with music unfamiliar to audiences…Our packed houses and standing ovations have proven them wrong. Christine challenges us, the singers, to master the music, and works with each one of us to be the best that we can be.”

Longtime CRESCENDO singer

“Music makes more people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable.”

Martin Luther

Crescendo’s Policy on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

Crescendo strives to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community where all feel valued and respected.

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are connected to our mission. Crescendo seeks to present music of many traditions to audiences of many traditions. We respect and value diverse experiences and heritages, because an environment that welcomes diversity and inclusion will nurture ideas and perspectives that could not be fostered otherwise.

Crescendo holds that diversity, equity, and inclusion are drivers of institutional excellence. Crescendo expects that its board, staff, partners and stakeholders will reflect and embrace these core values.

Crescendo’s board supports examining how inequities in society affects what Crescendo does and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with our mission. We are committed to equal opportunity for employment and advancement. Crescendo seeks to overcome conventional assumptions about qualifications for leadership and to diversify our board, staff, and advisory bodies.

This policy and how well Crescendo has followed it will be evaluated annually by the Board of Directors, recognizing that permanent change will require continuous effort.

Meet Artistic Director Christine Gevert

Crescendo’s Ensemble of Andean Instruments

Meet the Artists of Crescendo

Berkshire Youth Choir

Learn about our
Education Outreach Programs

Your generosity, in any amount, sustains work like this concert program, especially during this crucial time. Please consider a gift to Crescendo today!