Meet Us

Artistic Focus

Brian Bartoldus

Artistic Director & Conductor

Brian Bartoldus is the Artistic Director of Handel Choir of Baltimore, a critically acclaimed choral ensemble famed for its yearly performance of Handel’s Messiah with period instrument orchestra. Brian earned his DMA in choral conducting from the Yale School of Music, studying with Marguerite Brooks, Jeffrey Douma, and Simon Carrington. He studied composition, organ, and conducting at Shenandoah University, where his primary teachers included William Averitt, Steven Cooksey, and Robert Shafer. Brian has been a featured soloist with the Frederick Symphony Orchestra and the Mount St. Mary’s Camerata. Brian serves as the Music Director and Organist of Frederick Presbyterian Church, and is the Artistic Director Emeritus of the professional vocal ensemble Third Practice.

Thomas Hetrick

Associate Conductor & Accompanist

Associate Conductor and Accompanist Thomas Hetrick has been keyboard specialist for Handel Choir of Baltimore since 1987, accompanying choral rehearsals and solo coachings, as well as playing continuo organ and harpsichord in performances. He earned a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore in 1977 and has since distinguished himself in the Washington-Baltimore region as an organist, harpsichordist, pianist, conductor and vocal coach.

He accompanies and coaches singers in opera and oratorio repertoire throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Mr. Hetrick currently is organist and choirmaster at St. John’s in the Village Church in Baltimore.

Board of Trustees

Officers

Jason Rudy,* President
Laurie Bacon,* Vice President
Leslie Greenwald,* Treasurer
Leroy Ludwick,* Secretary

Trustees

Brian Bartoldus ex officio
Lara Bruckmann*
Cynthia Bell ex officio
Marta Harting
Jeffrey Hochstetler
Kenneth Knight*
Mark McGrath
Melinda O’Neal, Artistic Director and Conductor Emeritus
Ashley Powers*
Steven Ralston*
Lois Schenck
Amy Sheridan*
Linda Stirling
Ellery B. Woodworth, Emeritus

*Choir Member

Administrative Staff

Cynthia Bell, Managing Director
Leroy Ludwick,* Ensemble Manager
Amy Sheridan,* Music Librarian
Caroline Mapp, Bookkeeper
Linda Talley, Office Volunteer

Sponsors

Handel Choir thanks Preston and Nancy Athey for their sustaining support. Our 2024-2025 season is supported in part by grants from the organizations pictured.

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