NEWS
Back Bay Chorale Appoints Viacheslav Kozlenko as 2025–26 Conducting Apprentice
We are delighted to announce that Viacheslav Kozlenko has been appointed as the Back Bay Chorale Conducting Apprentice for the 2025–2026 season. In this mentored role, Viacheslav will work closely with Music Director Stephen Spinelli and with our artistic collaborators, preparing repertoire, conducting sectional rehearsals, and supporting full rehearsals and performances.
Viacheslav is currently a graduate Choral Conducting candidate at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and holds a master’s degree in Artistic Direction of Opera, Symphony Orchestra, and Academic Choir from the V.S. Popov Academy of Choral Art. His prior experience includes serving as Choirmaster for the Perm Opera and Ballet Theater, collaborating with orchestras such as the Moscow Regional Philharmonic and the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, and performing as pianist and singer in early music ensemble settings. With this strong background in both conducting and ensemble work, Viacheslav brings both artistry and enthusiastic leadership to our Chorus. We look forward to the season ahead under his apprenticeship.
Congratulations to Stephen Spinelli on his GRAMMY® Award
And the 2025 Grammy for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album goes to...
...our very own Music Director Dr. Stephen Spinelli, who co-produced the album Beyond the Years - Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, with soprano Karen Slack, and pianist Michelle Cann. The groundbreaking album features 19 unpublished songs by Florence Price, including 16 world premiere recordings. ONEcomposer, a nonprofit organization that Spinelli founded with professor Tamara Acosta of Ithaca College, funded and executive-produced the project. ONEcomposer celebrates musicians whose legacies have been historically excluded.
In addition to co-producing the album (with Azica records), Spinelli edited and engraved all the editions utilized for the recordings from manuscript materials—and he authored the liner notes. “For years, I have been studying Florence Price and her wildly unlikely career that yielded hundreds of compositions—most of which were (and remain) unpublished,” says Spinelli. “My reverence of her and her career led me to found ONEcomposer. Having worked with Michelle and Karen for years, the pairing of this powerhouse team made a ton of sense for a recording project celebrating Price’s largely unheralded status as a gifted composer of art song.”
Prior to the album's release, ONEcomposer stated, “The opportunity to hear Price’s songs performed by industry leaders positions her where she belongs—alongside the great art song composers. Karen Slack is one of the most gifted communicators in her industry, and her versatility in presenting recitals, chamber music, and opera is exceptional. Michelle Cann has been championing the works of Florence Price for many years. This album is advocacy. It is an invitation to performers, educators, musicologists, and anyone with curiosity to continue the work of fully realizing Price’s legacy.”
Read more about the 2025 GRAMMYS classical winners at wrti.org >.
On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Back Bay Chorale, under the direction of Stephen Spinelli, performs Price’s Song of Hope and additional songs featured on the Grammy winning album. For concert information and tickets, click here.