More sadness: Singers mourns formidable US choral trainer

Marie Stultz, founding director of the Treble Chorus of New England and author of ‘Innocent Sounds, has died.

The conductor Joseph R. Olefirowicz writes:

I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of teacher and mentor Marie Stultz. Her vibrant and uncompromising energy honed and shaped the musician, conductor, and vocal pedagogue I am today. From training of seamless transition between vocal registers, to a love of fine choral and operatic repertory, to even the wonders of organ and orchestra with choirs: this woman shaped my, and countless other journeys, through her work with the Treble Chorus of New England in its days as a first-call ensemble for classical music in the Boston region.

My first operatic debut was with her at the tender age of 11 as treble soloist with Boston Musica Viva, my first baritone soli and so many other milestones came through her nurturing. Even working administration during high school for her annual Singers’ Workshop, helped hone who I am today as a professional musician.

Her methods may not have been understood by all, but I thrived, learned and growed from them. As a female conductor in days where this was still an emerging concept, she pioneered her way with tough love and a strong will that only old school training can give. And I carry on much of that today.

Although sporadically in contact the last years, we welcomed her to Nashua, when our Pergolesi Magnificat, opened with her first movement of “Suite Nativität” (the original name of Suite on the Nativity) in a new orchestration. She simply beamed. I will hold that visit forever in my memory.

RIP Marie. TIme to teach the angels some “tee tee tah tah tah”…