Local Music Director Named Best In Connecticut
January 11, 2010 by Josh Morgan
As Joseph D’Eugenio moves his hands from side to side, the voices of the First Congregational Church Choir follow his lead and produce beautiful melodies.
A long time music enthusiast, D’Eugenio has been the music director at the First Congregational Church for more than six years. Recently, he was honored as the 2009 Choir Director of the Year by the Connecticut chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. D’Eugenio acknowledged he was pleased to receive the award, which is the highest honor given to the state’s directors.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award,” D’Eugenio said. “It’s an exceptional national organization, the largest of its kind, that promotes the choral art in schools, colleges, universities, churches, and, community choruses. Its mission to promote and encourage choral singing has inspired me throughout my career.”
D’Eugenio was born in Cheshire, but now resides in Hamden. Before coming to the church in 2003, D’Eugenio served as the organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Norwalk. He also formed The Grace Notes, a women’s choir that was under his direction from 1994-1999.
Rev. Jeffrey Braun said that balancing a piece of music to spiritually move a listener is a delicate operation and takes tremendous talent, something he believes D’Eugenio accomplishes “week in and week out.”
“Joe is an exceptional music director. This award affirms not only his technical prowess, but his interpersonal warmth and creative passion,” Braun said. “Great choral direction is the soulful art of matching a given piece with a given moment so that the listener might be spiritually moved. Joe humbly, yet impressively, strikes that very balance week in and week out.
D’Eugenio reflected earlier this week on the award, saying it was “quite an honor” to receive such recognition considering it’s voted upon by colleagues, students, and former mentors. Being a part of the American Choral Directors Association “for many years,” has afforded D’Eugenio the chance to solidify contacts throughout the state, and he said that has helped him professionally as well as personally.
“It’s quite an honor to be named the best director of the year by my colleagues and the students,” he said. “By doing this for almost 20 years, I have built so many friendships and relationships. It’s been wonderful to share that music in this community and I’ve been able to accomplish wonderful things with the help of many.”
When asked if this award provided some sort of justification for his work, D’Eugenio paused a moment, thinking back on his career that started in Cheshire and continues at the First Congregational Church. He said working with the church is a job he loves, but a lot of recognition goes to music directors at schools or larger organizations, so he felt the award meant a little more.
“This award is very affirming at this point. I don’t work for a school, but I do work in the church setting and community setting, which is just wonderful,” he said. “My career has been built on people’s generosity of spirit, time, and talents, It’s been an amazing journey.”