Jennifer Rodgers takes over for Lee Mathews as artistic director and conductor of the Everett Chorale. (Photo by Jim King)

Jennifer Rodgers takes over for Lee Mathews as artistic director and conductor of the Everett Chorale. (Photo by Jim King)

Everett Chorale names new artistic director, conductor

Jennifer Rodgers previously built a choir in Virginia to more than 60 members.

Jennifer Rodgers, whose previous work includes leading the Vienna Choral Society in Virginia, has been named as the new artistic director and conductor of the Everett Chorale.

The group began its search in August for a new choral director, following Lee Mathews’ announcement that he was retiring. He has served as the group’s artistic director and conductor for 25 years. His last concert is scheduled June 10 at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

Rodgers, 46, is the first woman to lead the group in its 53-year history. Her debut will be at the group’s concert in December.

The chorale’s search committee was amazed by the quality of applicants for the position, said Heather Burke, a member of the chorale’s board. Most had masters degrees in music and conducting.

Rodgers is a student at the University of Washington working on a doctorate of music arts, choral conducting, which she expects to complete next year.

“Her resume is amazing,” Burke said. “It almost feels like she was picked for us and the kind of people we are.”

The search committee was looking for someone who knew how to work with people of various experience levels — from beginners to people who have degrees in music, Burke said.

They also wanted someone familiar with working with the financial and creative challenges of nonprofits, including building its audience, she said.

During Rodgers’ tenure with the Vienna Choral Society, she helped build it from “a small, struggling choir” into a group with more than 60 members, Burke said.

Rodgers said her goal is to perform diverse choral works. “My ultimate goal is for Everett to get a reputation where people say, ‘I have no idea what they’re doing next, but I want to go,’ ” she said.

Rodgers lives in Seattle with her wife, Nancy Gregory.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

About Jennifer Rodgers

Selected as the next artistic director of the Everett Chorale.

Currently assistant conductor of the University of Washington Chamber Singers and choir director at the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church.

Degrees:

Bachelor of music, voice performance, theater minor, Ithaca College

Master of music, opera theater, University of Maryland

Currently studying for a doctorate of music arts, choral conducting at the University of Washington.

Service projects include:

Organizing a concert series and participatory music sessions for residents of Tent City 3 homeless encampment while on the University of Washington campus last year.

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