Conductor Profile: Donna Plasket

Donna Plasket is Assistant Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies and Director of the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program at the University of Virginia and a consultant in arts in education. Previous positions include: research director at Harvard Project Zero, faculty member in music education at New England Conservatory of Music; Executive Director of Development and Director of the Chapel Choir at Westminster Choir College, music teacher at two New Jersey high schools, and most recently Associate Director of the Women's Center at the University of Virginia and conductor of the Virginia Women's Chorus. In addition, Dr. Plasket has served as guest conductor and as a clinician, consultant, and speaker in choral music, church music, arts education, alumni relations, institutional advancement, management, and trustee relations.

Dr. Plasket holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education and choral conducting from Westminster Choir College and a doctorate in higher education administration from Harvard University. She is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Sigma Lambda and serves on various nonprofit and educational boards including the College Board of Piedmont Virginia Community College, Piedmont Educational Foundation, Dean's Advisory Council of Westminster Choir College (chair), Hospice of the Piedmont (chair), Ash Lawn Opera Festival Foundation (vice president), Ash Lawn Opera Guild, The Oratorio Society of Virginia, Piedmont Council of the Arts, Charlottesville Writing Center, Women Educational Leaders of Virginia.

Donna was the VWC conductor from 1995 to 2000; she is conducting Lift Thine Eyes by Mendelssohn and Laudamus Te by Vivaldi. Her thoughts on the music:

One of the aspects of the VWC I have enjoyed as a performing ensemble and a learning community is the range of repertoire the group always has explored. It gives conductors and singers an opportunity to experience new works and to focus on different areas of women's musical literature at various times. Our anniversary concert will showcase this strength of VWC.

For my part of the concert I have chosen two well known classics of treble repertoire from major works that VWC has performed throughout its history and has performed wonderfully, although these pieces may be new for some, depending upon their era. During my time as conductor I embraced both the Mendelssohn and the Vivaldi as works that exemplified particular characteristics of their respective musical periods and provided singers with opportunities to grow in different areas of their musical understanding and vocal technique. I am eager to hear the glorious combined sounds of our current and former members. See you on April 9. Donna