JAN McGRATH
Music has been part of Jan’s life for many years. She was in chorus in high school, participated in college musicals and is in both the choir and quartet at her church. In 1993, after she heard a performance by City of the Hills chorus in her town of Cooperstown, NY, Jan said she could not wait to be part of its beautiful harmony.
Jan became an official member in 1994. In the early years of her membership, Jan’s young son would come to rehearsals with her and play quietly during the evening. At home he would pick up the lead part of the songs Jan was learning and sing while she quietly dueted the Bari part with him. That young son now is the father of 3 children who love to put on “shows” for grandma Jan and her husband, Jim.
Little did Jan realize in 1993 how dedicated she would become to the City of the Hills chorus. She’s now the Baritone Section Leader and often will lead the chorus with warm ups at the beginning of rehearsal. She is our Assistant Director, the chorus’s historian and has been the President of our Board of Directors for several years. Over the years Jan’s been in three quartets. The quartet she enjoys performing with now is Four of Hearts.
You would think this would keep Jan busy enough but she also finds time to be completing her 46th year in Human Resources at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Jan’s church plays a very important part of her life. She is the Church’s Treasurer, a member of the Board of Deacons and Trustees and, of course, its choir.
When asked if she had any “chorus adventures”, she replied “Well, I broke a tooth on a tuna sandwich dining in Syracuse the day before competition; several singing sisters accompanied me on foot looking for an emergency dentist – and we found one!”
We all love Jan. She does very creative warm up exercises with an engaging smile. She is very encouraging when she steps in as director. Jan is a natural leader. We are all so pleased to be able to honor her for her many years of hard work by selecting her as our 2023 Woman of Note.