The Conductor

Deanna L. Joseph is the Interim Director of Choral Activities at the University of Massachussets, Amherst, where she serves as the Massachusetts State Representative for the National Collegiate Choral Organization. From 2004 until spring of 2007, Ms. Joseph served as a conductor and lecturer at Smith College, leading the Smith College Chorus and Smith Chamber Choir.

Ms. Joseph received her Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in conducting where she studied with William Weinert. At Eastman, Ms. Joseph had the opportunity to conduct the Eastman Repertory Singers as well as to sing with a variety of specialty choral groups.

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Ms. Joseph earned her undergraduate degree from Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music, where she performed and toured Europe with the Duquesne University Chamber Singers under Brady Allred. She also has worked with Dr. Allred in conjunction with the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, as well with the Children’s Festival Chorus under Christine Jordanoff.

In addition to teaching at UMass, Ms. Joseph conducts the South Hadley Chorale, and performs as a soloist with the sextet Cantabile and the Arcadia Players.

The Chorus

Hodie is a select benefit chorus, brought together from throughout the Pioneer Valley and as far away as Connecticut and Vermont for several weeks of intense rehearsals. Singers range from the professional to the dedicated amateur. All of them sacrifice their time to benefit a cause they believe is truly worthwhile.

Under the baton of Deanna Joseph, Hodie acheives a clean, expressive and coherant sound. Here is a recording by Hodie member and audio engineer Jack Tozzi, from our December 2005 concert at Helen Hills Hills Chapel:

The Cause

(reprinted from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Thursday, November 22, 2007. © 2007 The Daly Hampshire Gazette.):

The Daily Hampshire Gazette's Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund provides certificates redeemable at participating local retailers to eligible families who can use them to buy holiday gifts at participating stores through Dec. 24.

Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. Today, the fund distributes vouchers valued at $35 and $45 to families for each child from age 1 to 14. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett.

Berkshire Children and Families (formerly Children's Aid and Family Services) on Trumbull Road verifies families' eligibility. The Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers. Most families who receive assistance are referred by social service agencies.

The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Compoetitive Edge Ski and Bike, 500 Northampton St., Holyoke, and 374 Russell St., Hadley; Faces, 175 Main St., Northampton; The Toy Box 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Cedar Chest Kids at 150 Main St., Northampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; F.J. Rogers, 3 Main St., Florence; Wilson's Dept. Store, 258 Main St.,Greenfield; Gleason Campers Supply, 9 Pearl St., Northampton; The Mountain Goat, 189 Main St., Northampton.

The $45 certificates are redeemable at every store on the list except at the JCPenney store, where certificates are worth $35.

Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 115 Conz St., in Northampton, 01060 or Gazette officees at 67 Main St., Easthampton, or 100 University Drive, Amherst. Donations may also be made through Gazettenet at www.gazettenet.com

Checks should be made payable to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.

Program