Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission is pleased to announce that the Treasure Artist for 2018 is local teacher, conductor, and musician Barbara McElroy.
In selecting Ms. McElroy, the Commission noted that her contributions to the musical life of Sonoma Valley as a teacher, conductor, and musician are significant both in the educational arena and in the community and church performance venues.
The Commission was impressed that Ms. McElroy was employed by Sonoma Valley School District as a band and choir director in 1976 and served in every musical capacity in the district until her retirement in June, 2011. She spent many years at Sonoma Valley High School where she taught both band and choir and led her students to win many state and national awards with their excellent performances.
Also impressive to the Commission was that Ms. McElroy is an excellent pianist, serving as accompanist for Sonoma Valley Chorale and is also a talented French horn player and percussionist. She also has performed with the Chorale and other groups as a soprano singer. For the past twenty years, she has served as the assistant director of the Chorale, sharing her skills and musical talent with all.
In one of her many nomination letters, Ms. McElroy was described as someone “who loves and respects music, students, and musicians. She is the shining light of musical expression in Sonoma.”
The Commission will host a reception in Ms. McElroy’s honor on January 23, 2018 at the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club, 574 1st St E, Sonoma, beginning at 6:00pm. Reservations are required.
Reservations for the wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will be accepted until 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 17th, and must be paid in advance. The cost is $25 per person. Drop off or mail payment to: City of Sonoma, Attn: City Clerk, No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma CA 95476.
For additional information, contact City Clerk Rebekah Barr, 933-2216 or Rita Gipson, 933-2218.