making music and art that matters

Bring people together, Build community, Create something new, Inspire toward something bold

​For me, that is the power of music & art.  We come together and breathe into existence something that cannot otherwise exist - without us, our new collaborators, our friends. That is what drives me to
​make music, create art, and gather as many other people as I can to join in.  
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When we are working together ... singing together ... dreaming together, we overcome barriers of class, race, orientation, and ideology to discover our deeper connection - our humanity.

Educator/Conductor

As a music educator and choral director for more than 30 years, I have worked with all age levels and abilities. From public school music, to community children's choirs, to church children & adult choirs, to the podium of professional orchestras and choral organizations, it has been my priviledge to bring musicians and artists together and move them to the highest possible expression of our art.  

Event Producer

I have the skills and abilities required to take an idea from concept to completion - and bring a couple hundred people along for the ride. Vision, development, planning, funding, marketing, team building, delegation, vendor relations and facilities management all come into play.  

Clinician/Adjudicator

As an accomplished guest conductor and Festival director, I get to work with large collections of excited singers and instrumentalists ready to make music at a higher level. I have extensive experience as an adjudicator and clinician, working with Festivals and universities in that capacity. I am able and willing to create and lead workshops for teachers or students tailored to their specific needs.

Performing Artist and Teacher

Along with my career as a choral director, I continue to perform as a solo artist and choral musician. I bring all of these experiences to my teaching and to my students. Private instruction offers a time  of growth for student and teacher as we explore the voice and all its capabilities. 

Recent News...

June 12, 2019 - KO Choirs embark on Concert Tour of southern Germany
The Voce Women's Choir and Outlook ensemble traveled to our sister school outside of Stuttgart, Germany. The Musikschule Filderstadt and their families hosted our 38 singers and chaperones in their homes as we traveled and sang in Heidelberg, Tubing, and Filderstadt.  It was a great adventure and learning experience for all!
May 19, 2019 - Masterwork Chorale presents Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass, Madison, NJ
Steve Mitchell was the tenor soloist with this fine choral ensemble in their performance at Drew University. He was honored to sing with so many accomplished and talented soloists and musicians.
May 6, 2019 - Broadway performer Ben Frankhauser leads Masterclass at KO
Known for his roles in "Newsies" and more, Ben Franhauser took some time away from his performances in "The Flamingo Kid" at Hartford Stage to come and work with our musical theater students.  It was an informative and productive evening with great insights into character and stage performance.
March 24, 2019 - CONCORA presents Bach's Weimar Cantatas
Steve Mitchell was a featured soloist in Bach's Cantata # 182 in this notable performance by the Connecticut Choral Artists, under the direction of Dr. Chris Shepard
February 23, 2019 - CHICAGO!
Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford, CT
​The KO Theater Department presented CHICAGO for the winter musical. Under the direction of new Theater Director, Kyle Reynolds, the students rose to the challenge and mounted a stunning presentation. Steve Mitchell was the Music Director, preparing and coaching all singers, as well as contracting and conducting the 14 piece orchestra live an above the stage!
November 26, 2018 - iQuilt Carol Sing, Hartford, CT
Steve Mitchell lead the second annual Carol Sing on the steps of the UConn building, formerly the Hartford Times. This "new" and growing community singing event is a re-creation of the long time caroling event that flourished in downtown Hartford back in the day . The weather cooperated and we had many more singers this tie around.
October 6, 2018 -NightFall, Pope Park, Hartford, CT
NightFall took over Pope Park for this annual outdoor artistic extravaganza of music, art, and dance. Local artists brought to life the costumes, characters, and giant puppets of Anne Cubberly in front of a rain dappled audience of over 3,000! Steve Mitchell is the co-founder of this annual event and serves as Technical Director, overseeing the design, set-up, and operations of the staging, sound, and lighting required to make the show happen.
May 24, 2018 - Commencement
Kingswood Oxford School
The Choir and Orchestra provide live music for the 109th Commencement ceremony. Congratulations to the class of 2018!
February 24, 2018 -25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford, CT
Steve Mitchell was the Music Director for the Winter Musical "Spelling Bee". Along with Theater Director, Eric Langmeyer, Mr. Mitchell prepared the singers and lead the on-stage band for the performances,
January 27, 2018 - WIAF, Kingswood Oxford School
The women of Oxfordians put on a stunning performance at the Wyvern Invitational Cappella Festival. I am always proud of these fine young women.
December 20, 2017 - Caroling at the Old Times Building, Hartford, CT
The iQuilt organization sponsored a community Carol Sing on the steps of the old Hartford Times Building (Now UConn). Steve Mitchell was tapped to lead the singing and inspire the assembled voices in the cold night air. This is a recreation of the Carol Sings of years ago that drew hundreds of singers to the streets of downtown Hartford. We almost broke 100 singers this first year and look forward to growing a new tradition.
November 3, 2017 - Lincoln & Booth: A Musical
Hartford Maestro and composer Richard Chiarappa staged an adaptation of his major work, featuring the West Hartford Symphony and selected singers.  Steve Mitchell performed in the role of John Wilkes Booth, along with several of the finest singers in the region.
November 1, 2017 - Kingswood Oxford School, 
​West Hartford, CT
German Youth Orchestra performs with KO Choirs
Members of the Youth Orchestra from the Musikschule Filderstadt, Stuttgart Germany, stayed with KO Families and presented two concerts in the Hartford area. We look forward to traveling to Stuttgart with KO musicians in the coming years.
October 8, 2017 - NightFall
Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT
​Anne Cubberly's artistry was on full display in Bushnell Park before nearly 5.000 people on a beautiful fall evening. It is an honor to work with Anne and the NightFall team to make this magical night come alive each year in a different Hartford park. Already making plans for next year in Pope Park!
April 9, 2017 - Bushnell Center, Beding Theater,
Hartford, CT
Steve Mitchell prepares, and shadow conducts, the off-stage "etherial voices" for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra's performance of The Planets, by Gustav Holst. It is an honor to collaborate with the HSO and to work with Maestro Carloyn Kuan. Thanks to these amazing female vocalist for their fine work and musicianship.
April 5, 2017 - Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford  CT
Composer Colloquy
The great Phil Matson came to KO to wrk with our Middle School and Upper School ensembles as part of our Composer Colloquy. The students learned and performed music from Mr Matson's vast collection of work and had the honor of working with him on a newly commissioned  work for our Upper School singers.
​March, 2017 - Filderstadt, Germany
Steve Mitchell Visits the FILUM at Musikschule Filderstadt, Leads Workshops
As work continues on a "sister school" relationship with Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford and the Musikschule Filderstadt in Baden-Wurtenburg, Germany, Steve Mitchell was invited to tour and lead workshops at the FILUM.  Just south of Stuttgart, this southern German town has established itself as a center of music and arts development for young people. And the FILUM is leading the way! 
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​Mr. Mitchell spent time with the adult vocal ensemble "Stimmband" who specialize in Acappella repertoire from around the world. The session focused on vocal production, the physical vocal mechanism, and healthy singing practices. There was also an exchange of repertoire, with Mitchell teaching two selections: a Gospel setting of Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior and the Ysae Barnwell work We Are.  

Mr. Mitchell also observed the work being done in the town Primary Schools known as "SingGrund".  This program works with students and teachers to integrate singing into their curriculum by offering singing instruction to classroom teachers and providing musical resources and song collections to incorporate in classroom instruction. He was honored to work with the students on Solfeg patterns and a rhythm song Hort ihr die Drescher Translation "Hear the Thresher"
February, 2017 - West Hartford, CT
Kingswood Oxford's Theater Department Presents PIPPIN
​The Theater Department of KO presented three fully staged and choreographed performances of PIPPIN: His Life and Times to exuberant audiences. Under the direction of Theater Director, Eric Langmeyer and Musical Director, Steve Mitchell, the cast of 30 worked for almost 10 weeks to learn and master the characters and comedy of this "hero's journey" to self acceptance. The sets built by KO's Theater Tech  Program and Mark Kravitz were vibrant and inviting. And the pit orchestra, made up of professional and student musicians, added a solid and expressive support to the talented singers on the stage.
January 28, 2017 - West Hartford, CT
Oxfordians and Crimson 7 Compete in the Annual Wyvern Invitational ACappella Festival
​​The KO OXFORDIANS, under the direction of Steve Mitchell, and the CRIMSON 7, under the direction of David Baker, offered outstanding performances in this year's WIAF, showcasing both the skills of the ensembles and the talent of the lead soloists. The Festival brings together some of the finest high school a cappella ensembles in CT and MA to perform before a live audience and esteemed judges from local schools, university and professional a cappella ensembles.  Each a cappella ensemble is evaluated and ranked on a variety of performance categories.  The Kingswood Oxford School is proud to host this event, and even more proud that ticket sales support the work of Team Tobati, a KO sponsored, all volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged youth in Tobatí, Paraguay.
January 6, 2017 - West Hartford, CT
A Triumphant CHORAL FEST at Kingswood Oxford School Showcases Student Talent and Progress
​The full Choral Department of KO came together in early January to showcase all of the great music they have been singing this school year.  The auditorium was packed with parents, teachers and friends as the more than 160 singers in the Middle and Upper Schools combined for this triumphant evening of music and song.  Directors Steve Mitchell and David Baker presented music from 9 vocal ensembles featuring selections from Baroque to Classical, contemporary to Gospel. A highlight of the evening was the premier of a new composition by KO musical David Marotollo '18 by the vocal ensemble OUTLOOK, under the direction of David Baker.
June 1, 2016 - Hartford, CT
Steve Mitchell appointed Choral Director at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, CT
In August of 2016, Steve Mitchell will begin his new appointment as Director of Choral Music at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, CT where he will oversee the Middle School choral program and work with the Upper School choral ensembles.
​"I am excited to join the KO family and feel honored to work with such a talented Creative Arts Team", says Mitchell, adding "Go Wyverns!'
Steve Mitchell headlines Cabaret Concert
in support of Night Fall 2016 

FOOLS fall in love with NIGHT FALL
Friday, April 1st, 7:30pm
​Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
​Steve was joined by his band Dan Campolieta, piano; Lou Bocciarelli, bass; Charlie Dye, drums, as well as guest soloists Christen Hernandez, LB Munoz, Trudi Lebron and Keila Myles in an evening of songs about love and loss.  Steve and his fellow "Fools" for Night Fall raised nearly $10,000 for the annual arts event.  

​All proceeds support the 2016 presentation of Night Fall. More information about Night Fall can be found at www.nightfallhartford.org.

​February 19-20 -  Hartford CT
Steve Mitchell to conduct the Northern Regional Middle School Honor Choir.
​More than 200 Middle School Students gathered at Central Connecticut State University in February for the Northern Regional Honor Choir under the direction of guest conductor Steve Mitchell.  Auditions were held in early January.  Selected students were given their music to learn and instructions from the conductor. It was an exciting two days of music making and the concert was a rousing success!  Here is an iPhone video sample from our pre-concert warm-up...
​December 2015 - Hartford, CT
Steve Mitchell leaves a legacy of great music at Asylum Hill Congregational Church.
​After 16 years of creative worship, concert promotion, production management and community leadership, I retired from my position as Minister of Music & Arts at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. I have been working as a leader within the structure of the church for nearly 25 years - creating new programing, marketing events, developing community partnerships, cultivating donors, inspiring volunteers, directing ensembles, supervising staff, and managing facilities. I look forward to some time off as I reflect on my personal and professional goals.